Private 35904 Frederick Edward Beedle

Killed in Action on Friday, 14th September 1917, age 26.
Buried in Grave I. L. 23. at Monchy British Cemetery, Monchy-Le-Preux, Pas De Calais, France.

5th Bn., Royal Berkshire Regiment. 35th Brigade of 12th Division.

Husband of Mrs Flora E. Beedle, of 20 Lozells Grove, Chain Walk, Lozells, Birmingham.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Birmingham, Resident: Birmingham.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/28530/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Edward Beedle registered December quarter 1890 at Dudley.

1901 Census
35 Horseley Heath, Tipton, Staffs.
Thomas Beedle (41, Funeral Undertaker, born Sedgley), his wife Louie Eliza (39, born Dudley), and their 8 children: Lilly M. (17, born Tipton), Nellie (14, born Tipton), William J. (12, born Tipton), Frederick E. (10, born Tipton), Sidney (8, born Tipton), Gertrude M. (4, born Tipton), Elsie (2, born Tipton) and Florrie (6 months, born Tipton).

In 1904 Frederick's mother, Louie Eliza, died in Lancashire. In 1911 his father, Thomas, was a Yeast Salesman living in Ardwick, Manchester with four of his children. Thomas was living in Dudley with relatives.

1911 Census
35 Shedden Street, Dudley, Worcs.
Edward Frederick Beedle (20, Bread Baker at the Co-operative Society, born Tipton) living in the household of his Uncle and Aunt, Frank Fryer (38, Gas Fitter, born Dudley) and Emma Fryer (36, born Dudley).

Marriage of Frederick E. Beedle and Flora E. Goodman registered March quarter 1917 at Aston. A son, Frederick William, was born on 9th December 1917, his birth was also registered in Aston. Frederick senior was killed almost 3 months before his son was born.

Personal Data

After Frederick's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £2/10/11d (2 pounds, 10 shillings and 11 pence); this was paid to his widow, Florence E., in February 1918. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Florence in January 1920. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Frederick had enlisted within the previous 12 months.

Frederick's widow, Flora, was given a one-off Grant of £5 paid on 11th October 1917. She was awarded a Widow's Pension of £0/18/9d (18 shillings and 9 pence) per week for herself and her son Frederick, effective from 8th April 1918. The element of the pension for her son, Frederick, would have continued until his 16th birthday. The widow's pension would have ceased on re-marriage, but Flora never re-married and continued to receive a Widow's Pension for 65 years until her death, aged 99, on 16th July 1983.

At the time the pension was awarded, Flora was living at 20 Lozells Grove, Lozells, Birmingham. This was Flora's mother's house, and as Flora and Frederick probably married after Frederick had enlisted it is reasonable to assume that this was their brief marital home. At the time of the 1921 census, Flora, her mother, and her son were still living at 20 Lozells Grove, At the time of the 1939 Register, Flora was living alone still at 20 Lozells Grove; no further trace can be found of her son Frederick.

Action resulting in his death

Between 17th May and 19th October 1917, the 12th (Eastern) Division, including the 5th Royal Berkshires, held positions east of Monchy le Preux. They mounted several raids and small scale attacks and beating off some made against them, notably in the area of Hook Trench, Pick Avenue and Tites Copse. Frequently manual work was the order of the day, as the position was of shell holes and disconnected parts of trenches, with few dugouts and no communications.

On 11th September 1917, the 5th Royal Berkshires left their billets in Achicourt (near Arras) and relieved the 7th Royal Sussex in the trenches near Monchy le Preux. 'A' and 'D' Companies were in the front line, with 'B' and 'C' in support. On the 13th, the Germans laid down a strong artillery barrage in preparation for a trench raid, but this was prevented by an equally strong British artillery response. 4 Other Ranks were killed on this day.

War Diary for 14th September:
'A' and 'D' Companies were relieved by 'B' and 'C' Companies respectively. Casualties :- 1 Other Rank Killed, 5 Other Ranks wounded.

This "Other Rank" was Frederick Beedle, he is buried at Monchy British Cemetery at Monchy-le-Preux.

Newspaper Cuttings

Birmingham Mail, Saturday September 14 1918
IN MEMORIAM
BEEDLE – In loving memory of my dear husband, Private Fred Beedle, Royal Berks, killed in action September 14, 1917. Sadly missed by wife and little son Fred. God be with you till we meet again.
also
BEEDLE – In remembrance of Private Fred Beedle, Royal Berks, killed in action Sept. 14, 1917. Sadly missed by brother Will, Ethel, and his little niece Joyce. He gave hid life that we may live.