Henry Benson

Who was Henry Benson?

Henry Roxby Benson was a 19th-century British General. Born into a distinguished Welsh family he was gazetted into the 17th Lancers as a cornet on 31 January 1840 and rose steadily: lieutenant, 15 April 1842; captain, 27 June 1845; major, 23 October 1854; and then lieutenant-colonel, 30 September 1856. Subsequent service in India lead to further promotions, notably Colonel of the 7th Hussars. Appointed CB in 1861 he continued to rise until his final promotion to the rank of General twenty years later. His son Henry Wightman Benson was also a distinguished officer.