Neal Benware was born in Sombra, Ontario, on June 10, 1888, the son of Gabriel Benware and Margaret Benware, of Courtright, Ontario. Neal was living in Point Edward at his enlistment. He enlisted September 22, 1914 in Valcartier Camp, Quebec. A bachelor at the time, he listed his occupation as a sailor. He also recorded that he had prior experience with the 27th St. Clair Borderers. He would become a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 1st Battalion with the rank of Private.

In March 1916, Neal Benware wrote the following letter from France to Sarnia:

 Dear Mr. Grace (Neals former employer)

I received your welcome letter last night and was very glad to hear that everything, and all the boys are getting on good. I have seen a few boys here that I used to sail with. I am in the trench mortars and we can soon knock a trench down. I got your cigarettes last week. They were badly damaged, but I had a few good old smokes. I think we boys are nearly due to go back (to the front). If the young men in Canada would only join up we would have been out by this time, but if they don’t we will have to finish the job, which will be this summer…. I have something good to tell you. I was called over to our company today and was congratulated by four of our old men. Wondered what was coming, when I was told I am recommended for a D.C. medal. So that isn’t so bad for the old 27th St.Clair Bordereres. It is getting late so I must close. Be sure and remind me to all the boys.

                                                                Pte. Neal Benware  58th Trench Mortar Battery, 1st Canadian Division, France

Two months after writing the above letter, on May 23, 1916, Neal Benware would lose his life while fighting in Belgium. He had been hit by a couple pieces of shrapnel, and died a few hours afterward. Neal Benware would later be officially listed as, Died of wounds at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station. He was awarded the following: the 1914/15 Star; the British War Medal (1914-18); and the Victory Medal (1914-18). Twenty-seven year old Neal Benware is buried in Lijjsenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, Grave VII.A.17. On his headstone are inscribed the words, In Loving Memory he gave his life for his country may his soul rest in peace. On the Sarnia cenotaph, his name is inscribed as N. Benward. Neal Benware’s name is also inscribed on plaque on the Memorial in the Village of Point Edward.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G