Charles Behrens

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Biography

Charles was born in Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa on the 25th January 1904. The name given at his baptism was Dittmer Charles Ten Bengevoort Behrens. His God parents are listed as being John Edward Behrens, Rudolph John Combrink, and Johanna Petronella Aleda Combrink. He attended Jeppe School in Johanasberg. He was known as 'Charlie' to his wife and friends, although his wife's pet name for him was 'Laddie'. He called her 'Koko'. His nieces and nephews called him "uncle Mitty".

On the 12th October 1931, he was formally registered as a dentist (source - Dentists Register for 1950). On the register, his address is given as 75, Queen Street, Lancaster. His certificate number is given as 23007. He received his L.D.S from Liverpool University.

Charlie died on the 22nd February, 1950. Probate was granted on 6th September 1951. His obitury was published in the Lancaster Guardian on Friday 24th February 1950. It reads as follows;

"A painful sensation was caused in Lancaster yesterday (Thursday) when it became known that Mr. Charles Beresford Behrens, dental surgeon practicing in Queen's Square, Lancaster, had been found dead in his bed in the morning. He had enjoyed good health but recently had been suffering from influenza. Born in Capetown, South Africa, Mr Behens studied at Liverpool University before coming to Lancaster in 1932 to take charge of the surgery of the late Mr. T. F. Millet. During the second world war he reached the rank of an army major and served in West Africa and the Western Desert. He had been practicing in Queen's Square for four years. A keen sportsman, he was boxing champion of his university and a better than average Rugby Union player. He was a member of the Duke of Lancaster Lodge of Freesmasons and of the Lancaster Conservative Club, which at one time he represented on the Conservative Association's Committee. His wife, (nee Miss Peck of Liverpool), and his daughter Eve and newly born son, George Anthony, survive him.".

He never learnt to drive. His wife used to drive him everywhere.

Charlie served in the Army Dental Core (later the Royal Army Dental Core) during the second world war. He was commissioned as a lieutenant on 26th Aug. 1940. His service number was 125921. As with most Armed Forces Serving Personal during the conflict of World War Two, he was entitled to the War Medal 1939-1945. This medal was awarded to all full time service personnel who had completed 28 days service between 3rd September 1939 and the 2nd September 1945. Eligible personnel who had been “Mentioned In Despatches” during the War were entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf emblem on the ribbon. Those eligible for a campaign star, yet who had their service cut short by death, wounds or capture by the enemy, still qualified for this medal.

Charlie was awarded the Africa Star medal - awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in North Africa between 10th June 1940 and 12th May 1943 during the Second World War.

1939-45 Star

C B Behrens was awarded the 1939-45 Star for operational Service in the Second World War between 3rd September 1939, and 2nd September 1945.

sarah Beresford originally shared this on 22 Sep 2011

Source will be added by Sarah Bowers by 3 Jan 2018. </ref>

Sources