Frederick William Charles Benbow (b: 03 Apr 1912 in Dunedin was son of William Jonathon Joshua Benbow and mother Alice Maria Looker; he d: 08 Dec 1993 in Geraldine; Bur: Dec 1993 Temuka Cem)

Fred attended the Geraldine school first and after his parents moved to live 30 Sept 1918 at Cross St, Temuka, he was enrolled at the Temuka Primary School and attended the Denmark St Methodist Church Sunday school 1919  and 1920.

  Schooldays ended 13 May 1926 - Fred became a keen bandsman, playing euphonium for the Temuka Brass Band and he became a champion winning successive championships. When he eventually moved to Christchurch, he joined the Woolston Brass band - this was an A Grade band and very successful in contests.

He mar: 1934 in Christchurch to Eunice Gwendoline Roberts (b: 23 Aug 1915 in 44 Tennyson St, Beckingham ChCh; she d: 03 Jul 1986 at Timaru Hospital and was bur: 08 Jul 1986 at Temuka Cem).

 Fred and Eunice had a large family of seven and they eventually settled at Geraldine. Here Fred trained High School pupils in wind instumental playing. Fred formed a band as there was no band to graduate to. He became blind but carried on with a deputy to help and gained recognition for his band services by the presentation of a medal.

Temuka Leader: 25 Sept 1928: Mr Fred Benbow, a young famer at Pleasant Valley met with a painful accident last week. He was standing on a barbed wire fence with one foot on a post, looking for some cors, when he lost his balance and fell on the wire. He was unable to release himself, and was suspended by the barbs in the flesh for some considerable time until assistance arrived. He was rather badly cut, and had to be removed to the Timaru Hospital where he is progressing favourably.

His parents lived at Cross St, Temuka. Fred became a keen bandsman, playing euphonium for the Temuka Brass Band and became a champion. Won successive championships for many successive years. In 1856 he  moved to Christchurch where he joined the Woolston Brass band - an A Grade band and his success continued to be recorded in contests. 

 Fred and Eunice had a large family and eventually settled at Geraldine. Here Fred trained High School pupils in wind instumental playing. There was no band to graduate to, so Fred formed one. Fred became blind but carried on with a deputy to help. He was awarded a medal in recognition for his band services.

Time Line:

1926 - Temuka Fred enrolled in a newly formed  band along with Lesley H Benbow and Reginald Benbow

1927 - Temuka Competitions: Instrumental Sola under 18y: 1st: F W Benbow : Fantasia Concertante"

1928 - Temuka Leader; 4th Festival: Sola (open) 1st:Mr F Benbow (eumponium) Sitlver Threads Among the Gold  -"good fluency and tone, managed his instrument well"

1932 - 5 April 1932;  A motor-car collision occurred on the main Pleasant Point road about 11.10 oclock on Sunday evening. A car driven by Mr F. Benbow, of Timaru, with two men and two women passengers, proceeding to town, came into collision with another car, containing three young men, driven by Mr: H. Welsh. The former vehicle was hurled over on its side in the centre of the road, and the right side of the radiator and a wheel were badly damaged by the impact, while the other vehicle had the right front wheel torn off. The occupants escaped with bruises and minor cuts.

1933 - Band Contest; Euphonium 1st F Benbow (Geraldine district)

1934 - 17 Aug:  Magistrate's Court Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M.. presided over a sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Timaru yesterday. Edward William Madden, pleaded guilty to a charge of having stolen at Cave a portmanteau containing personal property valued at £6 Is 6d, belonging to F. Benbow. Accused on probation for 18 months on condition that he refrained from liquor.

1946 - Waimate electorate; living at Gapes valley, Geraldine; labourer with wife Eunice

1947 - 4 Jan: Nearly a Fire Tragedy: A large wooden house occupied by Mr and Mrs F.Benbow and family at Gapes Valley, near Geraldine, was totally destroyed by fire in the early hours of Thursday morning, and Mrs Benbow and her family of seven young children had a fortunate escape. Mr Benbow was shearing in North Canterbury at the time. The coughing of one of the children wakened Mrs Benbow, who found the room full of smoke. She managed to get the children out of the house, but all their personal belongings were lost in the blaze. Residents of Gapes Valley, billeted the children until yesterday, when other arrangements were made to have them looked after. The origin of the fire is unknqwn.

1956 - Sydenham electorate; living at 160 Brougham St; engineer with wife Eunice, sons Stanley and Lester.

1966 - Sydenham electorate; living at 160 Brougham St; railwayman with wife Eunice

1975 - South Canterbury electorate; living at 27 North Terrace, Geraldine with wife Eunice; retired

1984 - Ashburton Electoral Roll; Living with Gwendoline at 3/51 King St, Temuka; Retired

1986 - Eunice died, Fred now a widower, was living at The Pines, 16 Shaw St,  Geraldine.

1990 - Frederick Benbow: (d: 8/12/1993; Bur: 8/12/1993 Section E, Block 4, Plot 241 at Temuka Cem)

Fred and Eunices family:

1 Lester (Les) William Norman Benbow mar: Noeline Ethel Kinley Their daughter is Lesley Trudy Benbow