William Beardsall
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in 1886 in Retford the son of John & Clara Beardsall of 3 Wellington Street, Retford, Notts. The 1901 Census shows William living at home with his mother Clara (aged 33) and father John (aged 39) at 3 Wellington Street, Retford. Father John and William are described as general labourers whilst Clara was employed as a laundress. By the 1911 census William is living as a boarder with the Walker family at 53 Taylor Street, Gorton, Manchester where he is employed as a railway engine stoker. He married his wife Annie Padley in 1911 at Retford and she was living at 49 Albert Road, Retford at the time of his death
In a report dated 8th Feb 1918 it stated that William Beardsall had previously been wounded and gassed and was due to return to France from his hospitalisation in Ripon. This may be the point when William was transferred to the Leicester’s. It also noted that William had served during the Irish Rebellion and had come through unscathed. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery.
Pte William Beardsall Retford Times 10th May 1918 The many friends of Pte William Beardsall of the Notts and Derbys Regt will learn with profound regret that he has paid the great sacrifice. In March last he was presented by the Mayor of Retford (Coun. T Wheeldon, J P) with the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield, at a public meeting in the council chamber.He returned to France at Easter and passed away in a military hospital from severe shell wounds in the head on May 3rd. He was the son of Mr and Mrs John Beardsall, Churchgate, Retford, 32 years of age, and his wife, before marriage was a Miss Pagley of Albert Road, lives at 49 West Street, Retford. Prior to joining the Army, Pte Beardsall worked at Manton Pit and lived in Worksop. The following appears in the Retford Times 7th June 1918 “Mrs Beardsall 49, West Street, Retford, received official information of the death of her husband Private William Beardsall, Sherwood Foresters (2/8th before transfer to 6th Leicesters) In June 1918 the widow received two very sympathetic letters from the Matron of the hospital where he died in France in which she stated that he was wounded in the head on May 1st when coming out of the trenches and died on May 3rd. In March 1918 Private Beardsall was presented by the Mayor of Retford with the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He was the son of Mr & Mrs John Beardsall Churchgate, Retford and prior to joining the war worked at Manton pit and lived in Worksop. The announcement in the London Gazette of 29th January 1918 that Pte Beardsall was to receive the Military Medal for his actions during the attack on St Julien in September 1917 read “ For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, during the attack at St Julien between 26th and 28th September 1917. When all the Officers and NCO’s of the platoon had become casualties Private Beardsall with splendid initiative took command of his platoon and led them forward to their objective.”
