Valentine Beardsley
He worked on a Leavers lace machine in 1911
Leavers lace machines - John Levers adapted John Heathcoat's bobbinet machine in Nottingham in 1813. The name of the machine was the Leavers machine (the 'a' was added to aid pronunciation in France). The original machine made net but it was discovered that the Jacquard apparatus (invented in France for weaving looms by J M Jacquard in about 1800) could be adapted to it. From 1841 lace complete with pattern, net and outline could be made on the Leavers machine. The Leavers machine is probably the most versatile of all machines for making patterned lace and was widely used throughout Nottingham's lace industry . (Wikipedia)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
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Valentin Bearsley was born in 1887 at Nottingham, he was the son of Albert Beardsley a forman lace hand and the late Emma Beardsley née Hewitt. He was the brother of Lizzie (later Poxon), Arthur and Harriet Beardsley.
His father Albert was born in 1851 at Radford, his mother Emma Hewitt was born in 1853 at Nottingham, she died in 1909 aged 56 yrs, they were married on 7th August 1871 at St Peter Church, Nottingham, they went on to have 11 children.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 7 St Cecilia Terrace Peas Hill Road Nottingham Albert 60 yrs is a forman lace hand and is a widow, he is living withhis children, Valentine 24 yrs a lace hand, Arthur 22 yrs a coal carter, Harriett 20 yrs and Lizzie Poxon (formerley Beardsley ) and her family.
Private Valentine Beardsley enlisted on 4th April 1915 at Nottingham giving his address as 7 St Cecilia Terrace, Peashill Road, Nottingham, his age as 28 yrs and 10 months, his next of kin was his father Albert of the same address he was a lace hand and was posted to the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment. He went to France 31st August 1916 and was transferred to the 36th Labour Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, 10th February 1917. He was transferred to the 15th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment, 4th October 1917. He died of wounds, 13th May 1918, at No. 20 Casualty Clearing Station Bagneux, France.
Buried Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France. Plot 1. Row B. Grave 28.
additional research Peter Gillings
Photo of Valentine Beardsley
Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France courtesy of the cwgc