231766 Cpl. Benjamin Latter RFC 91 Squadron from:84 Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester Benjamin Latter (born Barnet Latter in Manchester on 12 Apr 1895) trained as a watchmaker before WW1. In 1911 he was living with his parents at 84 Cheetham Hill Rd, Manchester. His parents, Simon and Mary, were first generation Jewish immigrants from Latvia. They had arrived in England some time before 1871 and took British Citizenship in 1899. Simon had his own business at 84 Cheetham Hill Rd as a grocer.
Benjamin joined the 1/7th Manchester Regiment with regimental number 295047. His military records do not appear to have survived. His RAF records state that he served with the Manchesters from 2 Feb 1917 to 11 Aug 1917 but his Army medal roles indicate that he may have served much earlier in the war. A separate section of his RAF record states that he served 'man service' with the Manchesters at age 21 years one month from 22 Mar 1916 for Duration of War. He clearly served in France as he was admitted to the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen on 13 Aug 1917 with trench fever, moving 4 days later to Leith War Hospital.
Benjamin transferred to the RFC on 10 Nov 1917 with regimental number 34498. He was enlisted as an Instrument Repairer, probably selected as such as a result as a result of his pre-war training and experience as a watchmaker. He was posted to 91 Sqn RFC. He transferred to the RAF on 01 Apr 18 with service number 107189. He was transferred to Heston on 23 Aug 1918 and was discharged to the RAF General Reserve on 09 Apr 1919.
After the war Benjamin became, with his younger brother Ellis, a jeweller and watchmaker in Manchester. He married Dolly Solomon on 24 Mar 1924 and passed away in Manchester in 1977.
His family are very proud that, as a second generation immigrant, born a British citizen, Benjamin was able to so faithfully serve his adopted country.
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