Benjamin Alfred Starling was a member of a well-known from Greensborough and a qualified civil engineer (University of Melbourne) working on railways in the Federated Malay States; but just before war broke out, he was called to England to testify in a legal case, after which he volunteered and served as a Second Lieutenant with the 2nd Battalion London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers).
His death is therefore recorded on the Australian War Memorial Commemorative Roll with limited details shown; but his sacrifice is also noted on the Greensborough War Memorial.
Starling was killed in action on 23 March, 1918 near Gavrelle, France; he was 39 years of age and interred at the Roclincourt Military Cemetery; he was a cousin of 3004, Walter David Starling of Diamond Creek, also Killed In Action and included on our Heidelberg Roll.
Benjamin had a brother, John Henry Starling (1883-1966), also born in Greensborough who established a notable career in the Public Service, in fact serving in the newly established Prime Minister’s Department as second-in-charge during the First World War.
Link to the history of Benjamin Alfred Starling
Link to the history of Walter David Starling
Link to ozsportshistory.com downloads for WW1
