He was a very religious man and was a deacon in a local chapel. He regularly read to the family from the Bible. He had  a quiet personality with a gentle nature. He spoke fluent Welsh.

He had a moustache and although not very tall he was well built. He joined the South Wales Borderers in 1896 and served in India until 1904 and was called for service in France during the 1st World War.

He married Elizabeth Lewis in 1905. In 1908 Elizabeth was pregnant with their first child, Stanley. Sadly he died a few weeks after birth but between 1909 and 1913 they had three more children, Noah, Rose and Richard who all survived. Elizabeth died in 1926.

When Rose, his daughter, was married Ben lived with her family for many years. I used to visit my Auntie Rose and one day I can remember seeing Ben there. I was very young, about four or five years of age, but I have never forgotten that moment. He was sitting in a chair beside the coal fire. He had a large white beard and he wore a black coat. He turned and looked at me but didn't speak. He filled the room with his presence. He was everyone's focus and attention.

Rose's daughter Jennifer knew  him for many years and told me that Benjamin was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was polite but could also be very stern. Rose's son Michael also new  him for many years and has told me that Ben was a nice and pleasant man.

Elizabeth with her children. L to R Noah, Richard and Rose.