Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BENSON Alexander Vigors  MD (Brux), MRCS (Eng),  LRCP (Lond)

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Alexander (Alick) Vigors Benson was born on the 18th May 1869, Kensington, South Australia of a family of eight sons and a daughter.  His father Dr John Benson died at the age of 36 years adn his mother was Charlotte Deborah nee FITZGIBBON . He was educated at St. Peter's College. He dispensed (pharmacy) at the Adelaide Hospital on leaving school and he acted as dispenser for several years at the Mount Gambier Hospital. Whilst there he was prominent in sporting circles, especially football.  He was President of the Mount Gambier Football Association, and Captain of the Mount Gambier Football Club. He travelled to England and studied medicine at London University and then to Brussels where he studied for the MD degree. He married Jane Flett, a daughter of the late Mr. Andrew Loutit, manager of the National Bank at Mount Gambier for many years, in 1906. He was registered to practice in Adelaide in December 1904 and had a successful practice at Port Adelaide until 1920.

Benson joined the AIF on the 16th July 1917 when he was 48 years old. He had experience with the 50 AAMC, 77th Bn and had various Camp appointments, He was described as 5ft 8ins, weighed 147lbs with fair hair and blue eyes. His next of kin was named as his wife Jane Flett Benson of Buller Terrace, Alberton South Australia. He had previously been a Medical Assistant to the Transcontinental Railway camps, Mount Gambier Hospital South Australia and 2 years work in Ear Nose and Throat surgery at The London Hospital. On the 7th September 1917 he embarked from Melbourne in Reinforcements for the 14 AGH, Egypt then to Mosscar and other camp and hospital duties in Egypt.  He was hospitalised in June 1918 with general debility, however he returned to duty after one month. He was promoted major in September 1918 and finally, after the end of hostilities, was invalided and returned to Australia on the 15th November 1918. His appointment was terminated on the 15th February 1919. He was considered to be recovered and the prior conditions were due to and aggravated by Military Service. He was issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Benson shared rooms with Dr Henry Newland on North Terrace, Adelaide from 1920 (who described him as a “beloved physician”). He served a term as President of the SA Branch of the BMA. A lover of horses, Benson raced several, the best of which was Princess Aides. He was President of the Port Adelaide Football Club for several years. He had been an active member of the committee of the Port Adelaide Club since he was first elected in 1909, except during his temporary absence from Australia. He was appointed chairman in 1915, and had filled that position with credit. He was a strong advocate of the movement for the licensing of bookmakers and the establishment of a school for apprentices, and did much valuable work in the interests of racing.  It was noted his health had been failing for some time in 1938, and for the last few months in 1939 he had been confined to his room. He died on the 24th December 1939 whilst living at Audley House, 32 Prospect Road, Prospect South Australia.  He was survived by his wife Jane.  Mr W. B. Carr (chairman of the S.A.J.C.) described Dr. Benson as one of the pillars of the turf.

Sources:

http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3074118