No.29068, Private, William BEETON
Aged 37
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William BEETON was born in Balsham (Linton Q3-1879 3B:542) son of George and Rhoda BEETON (née WATKINSON).
1881 census...Aged 2, he was at High Street, Balsham with his father George BEETON [35] farm labourer; his mother Rhoda [32] born Dalham; sister Leah [3]. All except his mother were born in Balsham. 1891 census...Aged 11, he was at Nine Chimneys Lane, Balsham with his parents; brothers Reuben [9] and Frank [4]; sister Sophie [7]. The new siblings also born in Balsham. 1901 census...Aged 21, a farm labourer, he was at Nine Chimneys Lane with his parents (father now a shepherd);brother Reuben (horseman) and Frank (farm labourer) 1911 census...Aged 31, a farm labourer, he was at Little Corner, Balsham with his parents; brothers Reuben and Frank (both farm labourers) and sister Sophia. One of the 7 children had died. The pension card (1917) has his mother at Nine Chimney Lane, Balsham |
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He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds. The 7th (Extra Reserve) Royal; Fusiliers was formed in August 1914 at in Artillery Place, Finsbury.
Landed at Le Havre 24 July 1916. and joined the 190th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on 27th July 1916.
The war diary has them at Hamel -Z Day- east of Hamel, lined up for an attack on Beaucourt. There is very long appendix to the war diary outlining the precise details, but from the casualty list below it can be seen it was not a good day for the battalion, coming close to the end of the Somme battle. On 13th/14th November the casualties were ;- killed 4 officers, 37 OR ; wounded 12 officers, 129 OR; missing 161 OR; gassed 4 OR
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
