JAMES+H.+BEESTON

Beeston, James Harold, Gunner, 34585, “Y” 74th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery Born Hulland Ward, Derbyshire Enlisted Derby Killed in action 13th September 1918 aged 28 Son of Michael and Jane Beeston, of Bradley Park, Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, V, D, 1

1911 Census A farmer's son, working on the farm Son of Michael, a farmer, and Jane Beeston, of Old Park Farm, Bradley, Derbyshire

James Beeston enlisted on the 1st September 1914, aged 24 and employed as a farm hand. He was 5 feet 9.5 inches tall and weighed 156 pounds. He had a fair complexion, brown eyes and brown hair, and belonged to the Church of England. He served in France from the 20th May 1915. During his service, he was treated for scabies from the 13th to the 29th May 1916. He was wounded by shrapnel in the left side on the 17th September 1916, for which he was treated in hospital in England, being posted back to France on the 10th February the following year. He was wounded for a second time on the 23rd July 1917, receiving a gunshot wound to the leg, being treated in hospital in France until the 24th August. He was then granted leave to England from the 6th until the 20th December 1917. Upon his return he was posted to a trench mortar battery, and served with them until his death on the 13th September 1918.

Ashbourne News, 4th October 1918 James Beeston was the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Beeston, of Bradley Old Park, and enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on the 1st September 1914. He served in France from May 1915, was gassed in July 1916, and was then wounded in September and sent back to England for treatment. He returned to France in February 1917, was slightly wounded in September, after which he was transferred to the trench mortar section. He was killed by an aeroplane bomb. A memorial service was held at Bradley Parish Church for him. He was formerly a member of the annual Infirmary Dance committee, 'and by his courteous and genial manner contributed to the success of the undertaking.'


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