Florence Annie (Fitches) Benton (1915 - 1953)

Born 11 Jul 1915 in New Zealand

Ancestors

Wife of Edward Bazel Stokes — married 6 Oct 1934 (to before 1944) in New Zealand

Wife of Edward Roslyn Benton — married 1947 in New Zealand

Died 24 Dec 1953 at age 38 in Tangiwai, Manawatu, New Zealand

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Biography

1915 Born: Florence Annie Fitches was born on 11th July 1915 at Wanganui in the Manawatu area of New Zealand, the daughter of John Fitches and his wife Florence Margaret Talbot. ^[1]

1934 Married: On 6th October 1934 Florence married Edward Bazel [sic] Stokes in New Zealand. ^[2] The couple divorced after two daughters were born.

1947 Married: Florence married Edward Roslyn Benton in 1947. During the mid to late 1940s three daughters were born to the couple.

Florence, Edward and their three daughters were all killed in the major rail disaster that occurred at Tangiwai in the central North Island on Christmas Eve 1953 … ie, 24th December 1953.

1953 Died: ^{[3] [4] [5]} The family are buried together at Turakina Cemetery in the Rangitikei district, and a headstone commemorating them has been erected …

In loving memory of the Benton family tragically killed at Tangiwai December 1953, Florence Anne 38 years, Glenys Eileen 9 years, Beverley Dawn 6 years, Roslyn Anne 3 years and Edward Roslyn Benton. Forever in our hearts.

Research Notes

Her body and those of her daughters , were identified by her brother - Frederick Harold Herbert Fitches

Sources

1. ↑ NZBDM Births: Fitches, Florence Annie, child of Florence Margaret and John, reference number 1915/14259.
2. ↑ Florence Annie Fitches and Edward Bazil [sic] Stokes, reference number 1934/8671.
3. ↑ NZBDM Deaths: Benton, Florence Ann [sic], 37 years, registration number 1954/19044.
4. ↑ Rootwebs
5. ↑ Wikipedia