Born into a prominent Canadian family, Benson fought in the Fenian raids as a teen, before proceeding to England to pursue a military career.

A cavalry officer, Benson spent much of his early career in India, with the exception of a stint in England to attend the Staff College.

He then commanded the Egyptian Cavalry and fought in the Second Boer War as a staff officer with the 6th Division, held a number of senior administrative appointments, before retiring in 1909.

[1] In 1866, he enlisted in the 19th Battalion of the Canadian militia and took part in that year's campaign against Fenian raiders on the Niagara frontier as a private.

During his tenure, he expanded and reorganized the force; in 1893, he led the cavalry and camel corps patrol from Suakin to Senkat Wells over unexplored country, returning by a different route in order to offer reassurance to inhabitants who had been recently raided by Osman Digna.

Promoted to full colonel in 1898, he was Assistant Adjutant-General, South-Eastern District and Chief Staff Officer to Lieutenant-General Sir William Butler from 1898 to 1900.

Benson was engaged in operations in the Orange Free State from February to May 1900, including actions at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, and Driefontein.

Under Benson, stockyards were established a Saint John, Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto and animals were purchased on a very large scale.

After a service at St. George's Church, Montreal, Benson's remains were taken by train to St. Catharines where, after lying in state at the St George's Church, he was buried with military honours at the Victoria Lawn Cemetery on 23 August, in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Sir John S. Hendrie.

Frederick Benson Mews, built on the former Joint Services School of Intelligence site in Ashford, Kent, is named after him.