William Beakes

Memorial: Downend - Christ Church

Regiment: Labour Corps

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Rank and number: Private 521528

Parents: Arthur and Emily Clara Beakes (nee Hemmings)

Marital status: Single

Home address: Victoria Road, Staple Hill, Bristol

Pre-war occupation: Labourer

Date of birth: 1895

Place of birth: Siston, Glos

Date of death: 24/02/1919

Buried/Commemorated at: Christ Church, Downend, Bristol

Age: 23

Further information:

William Beakes was the second oldest of seven children born to parents Arthur and Emily Beakes. He enlisted in the month from 25th April 1916 and was posted to 156th Oxfordshire Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 297324 and first landed in France in June 1916. The Battery was in the Ypres Salient from 23rd June to 29th July 1916, and was then moved to Bouzincourt/Senlis 31st July remaining there until 1st August and then to Albert from 3rd Aug to 18th November. Its next move was to La Boisselle from 1st December 1916 to 11th March 1917, then to Pozieres from 12th March to 18th March 1917, Arras from 24th March to 12th May 1917, then via Aubigny and Bailleul to Oosthove Farm from 23rd May 1917. They took part in the attack on Messines Ridge on 7th June 1917 where William Beakes was one of the numerous casualties that day. He was taken to 53rd Casualty Clearing Station for treatment until being sent back by Ambulance Train and Hospital Ship to the UK for further treatment and to recuperate. Private Beakes would recover sufficiently for him to be transferred as 521528 to the 661st. Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. Clearly his wounds never healed totally and continued to dog Beakes with bad health as he was later admitted to the Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norfolk where he eventually succumbed to his injuries, dying on 24th February 1919. He was later buried at Christ Church, Downend on 4th March 1919. The Register of Soldiers' Effect shows that William Beakes possessed £20.15s.2d which included a War Gratuity of £13.0s.0d which was sent to father on 29th July 1919.

Commemorated on the Christ Church Downend and Staple Hill (Page Park) Memorials.

By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):

Forces War Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Soldiers Died In The Great War, Find A Grave index, England Select Births and Christenings, Free BMD, Register of Soldiers' Effects, Medal Rolls Index Card, UK Censuses, David Blackmore – Mangotsfield Residents Association