This file begins in Sept. 1934 with Benson’s employment by East African Concessions Ltd prospecting for gold in western Kenya near Kakamega. He was based at camps at Kibiri, Esikongo and Chebutubu. Photographs documenting the camps and Benson’s work may be found at RCMS 364/2/1. In Oct. 1935, Benson was transferred to Tanganyika, prospecting in the Sanza Concession near Mwanza. During 1936 he was employed as a diamond driller near Geita.

In Dec. 1937 Benson joined Gold Coast Selection Trust. He travelled to the Gold Coast to do gold prospecting, initially north of Nangodi, and then in other areas of the Northern Region. This section concludes with Benson’s return to Europe in 1939 and a diary he kept during a motoring tour in France. Benson’s letters describe his travel, (including a visit to Uganda), living and working conditions at the camps, friends and colleagues, leisure activities, and the African people he encountered. This file also includes thirteen photographs, eight plans, three maps, three sketches, and some of Benson’s monthly reports and accounts (circa 400 sheets).

Photographs (105 x 65 mm):

1 The next chief of Datuku and my head clerk Norbert
2 Line cutting
3 Pitching camp by the Lambo
4 Pitching camp by the Lambo
5 Labour tents, Wasipe
6 Labour tents, Wasipe
7 My tent, Wasipe
8 The tunnel (which runs right through the hill) ridge 8
9 Line cutting
10 View from my tent, Wasipe
11 N.T.’s burn
12 Chief Datuku and his family
13 Chief Datuku with the government go-between
14 Chief Datuku left; the government go-between right