No.23206, Sergeant, Arthur George BEAVIS
Aged 36
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Arthur George BEAVIS was born in Haverhill in 1881(Risbridge Q4-1881 4A:541), son of George and Mary Ann BEAVIS (née PORTER). Baptised
in Haverhill St.Mary's on 17th January 1886. His CWGC entry give his age in 1918 as 40, but his age varies across many other records.
1891 census...Aged 9, he was at Primrose Hill, Haverhill with his father George BEAVIS [38] a brewer's labourer born in Haverhill; his mother Mary Ann [34] a tailor's finisher born Radwinter, Essex; brother Harry [16] an ironmonger's assistant; sisters Ada [14] a machinist, and Gertie [5]. Also his widowed grandmother Hannah BEAVIS,[70] a retired laundress born in Birdbrook, Essex. All the children were born in Haverhill. 1901 census...Aged 21, he was a horse keeper, at 11 Bernard Road, Tottenham with Herbert Beavis [17] born Haverhill, another horsekeeper. They were staying with their Birdbrook born uncle Samuel PLUMB and Haverhill born aunt Sophia and their family. His parents were at 24 Primrose Hill with his sisters Ada (coat machinist) and Gertie (coat baster); brother Sidney [9] and Stanley [6]. 1911 census...Arthur was in the Army. His father and brother Stanley were at 9 Ingleside Place, Saffron Walden. His mother had died late in 1901 and his father had married again in Saffron Walden in 1904 to Elizabeth REED. Possible she is the Elizabeth BEAVIS, married for 7 years, at 10 Fairycroft Road, Saffron Walden. His father's later address was 1 Almshouse, Abbey Lane, Saffron Walden. |
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He enlisted in Tottenham on 24th January 1902. he gave his age as 21 years 4 months, born Haverhill, a stableman. he was 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm) tall,
weighed 131 lbs (61.9 kg), chest 34" to 36.5" (86.4 to 92.7 cm), blue eyes, fair hair and Church of England. H e gave as his next of kin, father George, residing at the
"Axe and Compass" Ashdon Road, Safron Walden with his younger brothers Sidney and Stanley. His elder brother, Harry Albert was at 4 Bartolomew
Villas, Kentish Town Road N.W.
Initially in 8th Hussars (No.5667) he joined them at Curragh Camp on 30th January 1902 and was posted to the 15th Hussars (no. 4391) on
15th January 1903 by which time he was in India. (15/1/1903 to 14/11/1909) On 6th April 1904 he extended his service to complete 8 years with the colours, then on 16th August 1909 he extended again, to complete to full 12 years with the colours. From 15/11.1909 to 17/1/1913 he was in South Africa, returning to UK on 18th January 1913. This period of service ended when he was discharged on 23rd January 1914. His final reference was "Honest, sober, reliable, hard working. Has been Sqdn storeman for 8 years". His discharge papers give him as 33 years 4 months old, 5 feet 5.5 inches tall. Intended address was 3 Gomer Terrace, Upper Clapton, London. With no Reserve commitment he would not have been mobilised at the outbreak of war and when he did re-enlist is not yet known. It does appear that his next engagement was initially in the 12th Hussars before transfer to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was not in France before 1st January 1916. He worked for some time for London County Council in the tramways department where their records show him being in the Army in France for 2 years 2 months, dying in the 2nd Battle of the Somme near Herleville. The battalion war diary has :- South of Herleville - 20th - Casualties up to 12 noon. 23 ORs killed 7 wounded. About 1 pm the enemy put down a heavy straffe on the Crucifix posts which forced B Coy to evacuate them for a time. At dusk all was re-adjusted. We suffered some casualties owing to the barrage. 2nd Lt Powell and Sgt Beavis were killed. At 10 pm the Battn side slipped to the left, the 2nd Manchesters taking over part of our line and we took over part of 10th (?) line. This was to enable us to get opposite to our objective frontage. At 12 m/night two Coys 1/5th Border Regt relieved our two forward Coys, our A and C Coys being attached to the Borders in Battn Reserve and vice versa. Relief was complete about 3:15 am"
photo: Rodney Gibson and also commemorated in the Haverhill Methodist Church click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
