Memorable Manitobans: Thomas William “Tommy” Benn (1891-1980)

Custodian, coach.

Born at London, England on 4 July 1891, he came to Canada in 1910 and lived at Neepawa for a short time before moving to Brandon where he worked as a painter. During the First World War, he enlisted in the Canada Expeditionary Force and served with the 44th Canadian Infantry. Returning from military duty, he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway then, in 1931, joined the Brandon School Division as a custodian, first at King George School and, from 1934 to 1967, at Alexandra School. There he also took an active interest in coaching sports teams at the school and supervision of sporting activities, including soccer, hockey, and track and field. He retired in 1967 and moved to Winnipeg in 1973. He died there on 9 June 1980 and was buried in the Brandon Cemetery.

Sources:

Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.

Brandon Elementary Schools, 1867-1979, Canada-Confederation, Brandon School Division, 1967.

Obituary, Brandon Sun, 11 June 1980, page 24.

Burial transcription, Brandon Municipal Cemetery.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 3 December 2014

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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