BENJAMIN ARTHUR CATER
Born: 25th January 1891, Ipswich.
Died: 10th April 1917; age 26; KiA at Vimy Ridge.
Occupation: an Elevator Grainman
Enlistment Details: Location: Camp Hughes; Date: 20th September 1915; Age: 25; Religion: CofE; Next of Kin: sister – Maud Stowe, of 36, Orton Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough. Height: 5ft 7 ins, fair complexion, grey eyes & fair hair. 2 scars on neck.
Sailed from the Port of Halifax, 23rd October 1915 aboard S.S. ‘Lapland.’ Arrived in England 30th October 1915.
Embarked for France 15th April 1916.
Rank: Private; Service Number 622964
Regiment: Canadian Infantry, 27th Battalion.
Memorial Reference:
Pas de Calais,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Arthur Benjamin Cater & Martha Cater, of Ipswich.
1901 St. John’s Home for Boys & Girls, Bloomfield Street, Ipswich.
Benjamin was 11 years old, an Inmate at the Workhouse School.
His brother Albert Arthur Cater, 13, born Ipswich was also an Inmate.
St John’s Children’s Home
A separate home for pauper children was first proposed by Ipswich Union in around 1870. This was an unusual step for non-metropolitan unions at this time, and may have been the result of space shortage at the Great Whip Street workhouse. Plans were produced in 1871 and 1873 for a long building with a central block flanked by separate wings containing boys’ and girls’ accommodation. The building, eventually erected at Bloomfield Street in 1879, accommodated 80 boys and 50 girls. The boys were taught to work on the land, and in tailoring and shoe-making. The girls were taught needlework and other household skills to equip them for domestic service. A small infirmary was later added.
Benjamin’s father was Arthur Benjamin Cater, born 1859, Ipswich – died January 1901, at 8, Cecilia Street, Ipswich. A Pork Butcher.
His mother was Martha Cater, (nee Allen), born 1856, Whitton – died August 1896 at 1, Sedan Street, Ipswich.
IMMIGRATION
On the 18th April 1907, 16 year old, Benjamin, a Labourer, embarked on the S.S. ‘Ottawa’ of the Dominion Line, from the port of Liverpool. Commission paid from the C.G.E.A. He arrived on the 26th April 1907, at the Port of Quebec, Canada. His final destination was Montreal.
Memorial Scroll despatched 3rd August 1921, and Memorial Plaque despatched 19th August 1922 to sister – Maud Alice Stowe (nee Cater), of 36, Orton Avenue, Peterborough and brother – William Arthur Cater, of 139, Cemetery Road, Ipswich.
BENJAMIN ARTHUR CATER
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