Research on James Hunt, alias Corporal Benjamin J. Rodgers shows the
following general information, dates of rank, campaign service, and army
appointments related to his 12 years 2 days (1892-1904) service in the British
Army: [1]
Birth & Enlistment:
James Hunt was born in the Parish of Walworth, in or near the Town of
London, in the County of Surrey, in May of 1874. He was given notice by
Sergeant Farrington of the Pensioners. At the age of 18 years and 2 months,
he enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders at London on the 23rd of
July 1892. He was given the regimental number 4345 which he retained throughout
his entire service. His mother was listed as Mrs. Maria Hunt of 22 Chatham
Street, Walworth Lane, London, England.
Physical Description:
James Hunt's, alias Benjamin J. Rodgers' physical description at the
time of his enlistment shows that he was 5 feet 5 7/8 inches tall, had a
medium complexion, dark brown eyes, and dark brown hair, weighed 128 pounds,
had a chest measurement of 36 inches and tattoos "Alice Cooper" on the right
forearm, "Crossed Flags" on the right arm, and a "Girl Stooping & etc."
on the left forearm. His religious denomination was the Church of England.
His trade was listed as a Carman.
Medical Information:
His medical record shows him as fit for service on enlistment. There
are no other medical records included with his soldiers documents.
Army Promotion, Conduct, & Education:
Benjamin J. Rodgers was appointed as a Private on the 23rd of July 1892 in the Gordon Highlanders. He was appointed to Corporal on the 19th of December 1899.
He received a 3rd Class Certificate of Education on the 26 th of August 1896 and a 2nd Class Certificate of Education on the 27th of January 1897. He passed a courses of instruction in, "Ambulance Class" on the 11th of December 1893 and in "Musketry Drill" on the 18th of July 1899.
He received his first Good Conduct pay on the 23rd of July
1894 and his second Good Conduct pay on the 23rd of July 1898.
Overseas, Campaign Service and Discharge:
Private and Corporal Benjamin J. Rodgers' overseas and campaign service includes the following:
He served as a Private in the East Indies from the 27th of September 1894 to the 23rd of September 1899, a total of 4 years 362 days. During his stay in India he was to serve on the Northwest Frontier in the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98 taking par in the famous assault of the Dargai Heights. He earned the 1895 India General Service Medal with the clasps for the "Punjab Frontier 1897-98" and "Tirah 1897-98".
With impending trouble in South Africa, the regiment moved from India to South Africa on the 24th of September 1899. As a Private and Corporal, Benjamin J. Rodgers was to see active service during the Boer War. For his service here he would receive the Queens South Africa Medal with the clasps for the "Defense of Ladysmith", "Laing's Nek", "Belfast", and the "Orange Free State".
On the 31st of May 1901 Corporal Benjamin J. Rodgers transferred to be employed in the Johannesburg Police with his service to count towards his time in the 1st Class Army Reserve. His new number in the Johannesburg Police is shown as 744/84/B. After completing service to the 22nd of July 1904, he took his discharge at the end of his first enlistment with a total of 12 years 2 days service. His intended residence at the time of discharge is listed as 29 North Cross Road, East Dulwich.