Born around 1896 in the Segovian town of Tabladillo, some time later he moved to Madrid, where he worked as a carpenter.

At an early age he joined the National Confederation of Labor (Spanish: Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, CNT).

Known as «Father Benito»,[1] he was part of the «Los Libertos» group of the Ateneo de Divulgación Social.

[3] In the fall of 1936 he participated in the Battle of Sigüenza, although its forces were unable to defend the city from the nationalist assault.

[5] He came to serve as political commissar of the IV Army Corps,[6][1] on the Guadalajara front.