Chief Wren Cecily Monica Bruce Benjamin, WRNS, 6965, was one of the top Wren telegraphists in the Royal Navy in 1941. A select few had been put through a grueling, competitive course to become chief wireless telegraphists, with the accompanying elevation in rank upon successful completion. These telegraphists were, along with Wren officers and one QARNNS nurse, to be transferred to Gibralter for wireless and cipher duty there.
The twenty two Wrens selected departed on the SS Aguila carrying a cargo of 397 bags of mail in a general cargo of 1,288 tons on 12 August 1941 as a part of Convoy OG-71 en route to Gibraltar from Liverpool. The convoy, consisting of twenty three merchant ships and escorted by six corvettes and two destroyers, was attacked by German submarines while off the south western coast of Ireland. Aguila was attacked by German submarine U-201 and sunk. The torpedo hit the Aguila amidships sending her to the bottom in ninety seconds. There were only 16 badly injured survivors, leaving a death toll of 145. Not a single one of the twenty-two Wrens aboard survived.
As a tribute to their memory, a lifeboat named 'Aguila Wren' was built and launched on June 28, 1952, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Chief Wren Cecilly Benjamin was the daughter of Sidney George and Rosina Norman, of Kensal Rise, Middlesex. She is remembered on the Chatham War Memorial, Plaque 50, Column 1. Her last assignment before her death was HMS President II.
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Service No: WA/WRNS6965
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Women's Royal Naval Service, H.M.S. President II.
Daughter of Edward Maurice Benjamin and Elizabeth Margaret Dorothea Benjamin, of Pinner, Middlesex.
The twenty two Wrens selected departed on the SS Aguila carrying a cargo of 397 bags of mail in a general cargo of 1,288 tons on 12 August 1941 as a part of Convoy OG-71 en route to Gibraltar from Liverpool. The convoy, consisting of twenty three merchant ships and escorted by six corvettes and two destroyers, was attacked by German submarines while off the south western coast of Ireland. Aguila was attacked by German submarine U-201 and sunk. The torpedo hit the Aguila amidships sending her to the bottom in ninety seconds. There were only 16 badly injured survivors, leaving a death toll of 145. Not a single one of the twenty-two Wrens aboard survived.
As a tribute to their memory, a lifeboat named 'Aguila Wren' was built and launched on June 28, 1952, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Chief Wren Cecilly Benjamin was the daughter of Sidney George and Rosina Norman, of Kensal Rise, Middlesex. She is remembered on the Chatham War Memorial, Plaque 50, Column 1. Her last assignment before her death was HMS President II.
-----
Service No: WA/WRNS6965
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Women's Royal Naval Service, H.M.S. President II.
Daughter of Edward Maurice Benjamin and Elizabeth Margaret Dorothea Benjamin, of Pinner, Middlesex.
Chief Wren Cecily Monica Bruce Benjamin, WRNS, 6965, was one of the top Wren telegraphists in the Royal Navy in 1941. A select few had been put through a grueling, competitive course to become chief wireless telegraphists, with the accompanying elevation in rank upon successful completion. These telegraphists were, along with Wren officers and one QARNNS nurse, to be transferred to Gibralter for wireless and cipher duty there.
The twenty two Wrens selected departed on the SS Aguila carrying a cargo of 397 bags of mail in a general cargo of 1,288 tons on 12 August 1941 as a part of Convoy OG-71 en route to Gibraltar from Liverpool. The convoy, consisting of twenty three merchant ships and escorted by six corvettes and two destroyers, was attacked by German submarines while off the south western coast of Ireland. Aguila was attacked by German submarine U-201 and sunk. The torpedo hit the Aguila amidships sending her to the bottom in ninety seconds. There were only 16 badly injured survivors, leaving a death toll of 145. Not a single one of the twenty-two Wrens aboard survived.
As a tribute to their memory, a lifeboat named 'Aguila Wren' was built and launched on June 28, 1952, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Chief Wren Cecilly Benjamin was the daughter of Sidney George and Rosina Norman, of Kensal Rise, Middlesex. She is remembered on the Chatham War Memorial, Plaque 50, Column 1. Her last assignment before her death was HMS President II.
-----
Service No: WA/WRNS6965
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Women's Royal Naval Service, H.M.S. President II.
Daughter of Edward Maurice Benjamin and Elizabeth Margaret Dorothea Benjamin, of Pinner, Middlesex.
The twenty two Wrens selected departed on the SS Aguila carrying a cargo of 397 bags of mail in a general cargo of 1,288 tons on 12 August 1941 as a part of Convoy OG-71 en route to Gibraltar from Liverpool. The convoy, consisting of twenty three merchant ships and escorted by six corvettes and two destroyers, was attacked by German submarines while off the south western coast of Ireland. Aguila was attacked by German submarine U-201 and sunk. The torpedo hit the Aguila amidships sending her to the bottom in ninety seconds. There were only 16 badly injured survivors, leaving a death toll of 145. Not a single one of the twenty-two Wrens aboard survived.
As a tribute to their memory, a lifeboat named 'Aguila Wren' was built and launched on June 28, 1952, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Chief Wren Cecilly Benjamin was the daughter of Sidney George and Rosina Norman, of Kensal Rise, Middlesex. She is remembered on the Chatham War Memorial, Plaque 50, Column 1. Her last assignment before her death was HMS President II.
-----
Service No: WA/WRNS6965
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Women's Royal Naval Service, H.M.S. President II.
Daughter of Edward Maurice Benjamin and Elizabeth Margaret Dorothea Benjamin, of Pinner, Middlesex.
Inscription
Plymouth Naval Memorial
Panel 62, Column 1
Overton War Memorial
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