Benjamin Thomas Cartledge (SN 59) born in Ballarat was an 18 year old fitter and turner when he enlisted in Ballarat on March 20th 1916. As a reinforcement for the 14th Infantry Battalion, he embarked aboard the Ascanius on May 27th and sailed to England. He was then attached to the 7th Battalion before crossing to France in November. Barely a month later he was evacuated to England suffering from trench fever. While recovering in England he recorded two discipline charges after brushes with an NCO. He rejoined his unit in France in April 1918. He was wounded in August, gassed, but rejoined his unit in October shortly before the war ended. He returned home aboard the Port Darwin, disembarked at Melbourne on July 27th 1919 and was discharged on September 10th.