John Beech Posted 11 December , 2013 Share Posted 11 December , 2013 Evening all I have recently purchased the War Medal for the above and am looking to find out a little more about the man. His MIC shows his original service number as 830 (T), which I have taken to be territorial. He was later renumbered 486430. My knowledge of the Royal Engineers is limited, and I wondered if anyone would have any idea as to where to start to research him. Ancestry have nothing on the service or pension records nor does he have a SWB entry. His MIC shows no date entered theatre, although as I have his War Medal he must have served in theatre or overseas. I know that when territorials were issued with six digit numbers they were issued in blocks, so I am hoping someone will have an idea as to whether he served with a field company etc. from his later number Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 12 December , 2013 Admin Share Posted 12 December , 2013 Hi John This page shows that 486430 was allocated to the 1st Nrth Midland Field Coy. Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 12 December , 2013 Author Share Posted 12 December , 2013 Glen Many thanks for your reply. I shouldn't be surprised about him being in the 1st Nrth Midland Field Coy as many men called Beech seem to have found their way into this division!! My family live in Nottinghamshire and I also know of men with the same surname serving in the division from Derbyshire and Staffordshire. There were at least four fatalities called Beech who died whilst serving in this division. 241883 Corporal A H Beech 1st/6th Bttn South Staffs 137th Brigade Died 24/06/1917,1630 Gunner George Henry Beech 4th (Staffs.) Battery CCXXXII Brigade RFA Died 05/12/1915 from Willenhall Staffs. 629 Lance Corporal H Beech 2nd/1st (North Midlands Field Coy.) Royal Engineers Died 29/05/19152571 Private Herbert Beech 1st (North Midlands) Field Ambulance Died 08/06/1916 from Draycott, Derbyshire There is also 9455 Private Holder Beech 5th North Staffs Died 14/01/1917 Age 60!! from Stoke on Trent who I can't believe served at the front The mother of 265246 Private Albert Royston 1st/7th Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (The Robin Hood Rifles) Died 01/07/1916 from Nottingham was a Beech In addition, my grandfather T4/244638 Private Thomas Arthur Beech 454th Co. ASC and his brother T4/244636 Private Charles Henry Beech 454th Co. ASC both served in the Divisional Train. I can feel a research project coming on to see how many others I can find!! Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 13 December , 2013 Admin Share Posted 13 December , 2013 John That could be an interesting project. I believe the TNA will be putting all the war diaries for the Western Front online next month so having only one Division to concetrate on will make things easier. Have you found a medal card for Holder Beech? He may not have gone abroad but been based at the depot instead? Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayley Posted 5 August , 2014 Share Posted 5 August , 2014 Hi, referring to Private Holder Beech 9455 His grave registration documents say that he "died of accidental injuries" which make it even more tragic seeing that he was serving at age 60 and I don't know any other information except for the fact that he was the son of George and Mary Jane Beech of 19 High Street, Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent. Best Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 5 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 5 August , 2014 Bayley Many thanks for the information. I assume he was involved at home in some capacity. Something to look into further when time permits! Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayley Posted 6 August , 2014 Share Posted 6 August , 2014 John, whilst on the subject of Private Holder Beech there is also a grave registration report as below which has the name of a daughter on it. My thoughts were that there'd be a record of his death if it happened whilst on leave, but I cannot find anything on the Staffordshire BMC records. All very odd! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 6 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 6 August , 2014 Hi Bayley I note that he is originally listed as 'Depot' which makes sense given his age. I think this would also make it unlikely he was home on leave.As this was subsequently changed to 5th North Staffs and I know that both 1st/5th and 2nd/5th Battalions served overseas do may have been 3rd/5th which stayed in the UK serving in Grantham 1915-1917 and then moving first to Lincoln and then Mablethorpe.I will try the Lincs BMD Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayley Posted 23 August , 2014 Share Posted 23 August , 2014 Hi Bayley I note that he is originally listed as 'Depot' which makes sense given his age. I think this would also make it unlikely he was home on leave.As this was subsequently changed to 5th North Staffs and I know that both 1st/5th and 2nd/5th Battalions served overseas do may have been 3rd/5th which stayed in the UK serving in Grantham 1915-1917 and then moving first to Lincoln and then Mablethorpe.I will try the Lincs BMD Regards John Thanks John Re Private Holder Beech 9455 again It's very interesting and intriguing for sure. Attached is his gravestone which is within the churchyard at Hanford, Stoke-on-Trent. Regards Bayley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 23 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 23 August , 2014 Bayley Many thanks for taking the time to take this picture for me. I have been busy with work and not looked into Holder further yet, but it is on my to do list! Funnily enough, my son has just graduated from University of Staffordshire and I have come to know the area fairly well, but did not get to visit much. I did see a Beech on Hanley War Memorial and a relative who knows the family tree better than me, believes the Beeches in Staffordshire are descended from my line of the family which was originally from Hertfordshire. There are many Beeches confined to the Notts/Derbys/Staffs area so he may even be distantly related! Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 23 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 23 August , 2014 Hi Bayley Found Holder Beech on 1911 Census living at 19 High Street, Hanford and occupation given as locomotive engineer. He is living with his wife Mary Jane and daughter Rosalie. Appears to have been born second quarter 1855 in Stoke, but no indication where death recorded yet. Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 29 August , 2014 Share Posted 29 August , 2014 Sentinel H Beech ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 29 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 29 August , 2014 Wulsten Many thanks for this information, I have not come across too many pictures of Beech casualties and this is a new one to me. I see from the piece that he was from Hanley. I know there is a John Beech on Hanley War Memorial but there is not a Harry Beech on the memorial. Do you know where he is commemorated? I see there are two Beeches on the memorial inside St Pauls Church in Newcastle under Lyme one is H Beech, is this Harry? SDGW has Harry resident in Newcastle so that would make sense but there is also a J Beech recorded on the memorial but SDGW does not show anyone of this initial born, resident or enlisting in Newcastle, although most men in that area seem to enroll in Stoke. I have visited Harry's grave a couple of times at White House Cemetery when I have been in the Salient Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 29 August , 2014 Share Posted 29 August , 2014 The J Beech is a John, Newcastle roll states High school and Elgin House, will look wots in the Sentinel, Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 29 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 29 August , 2014 Geoff Appreciate the time you are taking over this Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 29 August , 2014 Share Posted 29 August , 2014 Harry in the roll is listed as victoria street newcastle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 29 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 29 August , 2014 Geoff Thanks for the update Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 30 August , 2014 Share Posted 30 August , 2014 Looks like this is your Hanley memorial chap, and below This could be your Newcastle man ??? Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 30 August , 2014 Author Share Posted 30 August , 2014 Hi Geoff Very grateful for these. It is very possible that Sapper Beech is the Newcastle man. I will do a bit of searching later on Ancestry to see if there is a Newcastle link. Should be helped by the mention of wife,children and brother so will fish census out. Will let you know Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderston Posted 2 September , 2014 Share Posted 2 September , 2014 Hi All, Apologies for piggy-backing onto this query,but seeing that John has an interest in all soldiers with the surname Beech,I am wondering if he has ever come across a Pte.WILLIAM B.BEECH in his research? It puzzled me for a long time who the WB Beech was who had given my Granny in Glasgow a number of photographs of himself in uniform.One photo,from February 1917,shows him wearing the cap badge of the South Staffordshire Regiment (and a wounded stripe on his sleeve),whilst others show him in Invalid dress with various other wounded soldiers (some with Glengarry headgear,some with missing limbs).Given that in all the photos William has a large bandage wrapped around the top of his head,I would assume that he must have been sent to the Glasgow area for treatment or recuperation,and somehow met my grandmother. Unfortunately I don't have the technical skills to put the images on the website,but would be willing to post copies to any interested parties. Anyone have an idea where he came from (Staffordshire?),or where he might have received his head wound?I have a note that he might have been with the 7th Battalion,but can't remember where I found this information. Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 2 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 September , 2014 Hi Chris I am away with work at present but will have a look at my info for anything on him. Wouldn't be surprised if from Staffordshire - alot of Beeches are. I will be home later in the week and will be in touch. I would also be interested in your kind offer to send a copy of William's photo. I can be reached at johnbbeech@ntlworld.com Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulsten Posted 3 September , 2014 Share Posted 3 September , 2014 BEECH PTE W 19-Aug 1916 6 BEECH PTE W 08-Jan 1916 4 two listings for a W Beech image in the weekly sentinel, unfortunately i have a poor microfilm image for the January image, however no info. If you can get to Newcastle or Hanley library you could check the microfilm for the details, Geoff Jan edition could be South Staffs cap badge ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 3 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 September , 2014 Geoff Many thanks for this Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 3 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 September , 2014 Hi Chris I have looked through my records and I have 93 William Beeches on my list, but only two have a middle initial of 'B'. I can't claim my list is definitive and some information is subject to confirmation as I am still working on it, but the two options I have are 23767 Private William B Beech of the DCLI and later RAF and 10700 Private William Bernard Beech, South Staffordshire Regiment, who I believe is your man, based on your comments. His details are: Born: Fourth Quarter 1895 in Walsall, StaffordshireHe enlisted on 19th August 1914, and I believe he joined the 7th (Service) Battalion which was formed in Litchfield in August 1914. The reason I believe he was 7th Battalion is because he entered theatre 21st July 1915 – in the Balkans, and 7th Battalion are the only battalion that served overseas, which did not initially go to France. 7th Battalion was part of 33rd Brigade in 11th (Northern) Division, and sailed from Liverpool in early July 1915 for Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay 7th August 1915. After leaving Gallipoli, the division moved to Egypt and arrived in France July 1916. I have not checked the War Diary yet, and cannot confirm whether he is listed by name as being wounded or when, but I can confirm that he was discharged 2nd August 1916 from 3rd (Reserve) Battalion due to wounds subject to King’s Regulations 392 (xvi) - No longer physically fit for war service. He was issued Silver War Badge 348094. To date, I have not found either a service or pension record. It is possible he was wounded in Gallipoli as it is unlikely he would have been discharged in August 1916 if wounded after the battalion arrived in France in July 1916. I cannot account as to why your grandmother in Glasgow would have known him, unless he was treated for his wounds in hospital in Glasgow, but that is a bit far from Staffordshire and you would expect that the authorities would try to get him nearer home. On a personal level, he was the son of Amos Beech and Emily Beech and is shown on the 1901 Census living with his parents and four siblings, Thomas, Ethel May, Gertrude Miriam and Edith, at 44, Pargeter Street, Walsall. By the 1911 Census, he is still living with his parents and siblings at the same address, but the family had increased by two further sisters; Hilda Winnifred and Gladys. He was an apprentice fitter at this time. I believe he married Margaret K Barnett in second quarter 1919 and died in Walsall in the second quarter of 1946 aged 50. If I do find anything else, I will let you know Regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderston Posted 3 September , 2014 Share Posted 3 September , 2014 Hi John, Thank you for the background information on William B.Beech - that seems to be our man.Bit odd,I agree,that he was sent to a hospital in the Glasgow area,but possibly the head injury that he had suffered required specialist treatment.Certainly,in the photos of Feb.1917,he still has a large bandage wrapped around his head,and he is still in uniform.That might be him,although that soldier has a thinner face,in the photograph above,but I shall leave you to work it out when I send you copies of the photos - and you can of course put them up on this forum.Oh aye,William signed his name against 25 September in my granny's Birthday Book,so that would fit in with him being born in "the fourth quarter" of 1895. Regards, Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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