Bernard Bruce Beesley
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- Military History
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Bernard Bruce Beesley was born in 1885 in New Basford, Nottingham and was the son of the late William Edward Beesley a lace maker and Margaret Esther Beesley née Reed of 34 Howitt Street, New Basford. His father William Edward was born C1821 in Tewksbury and his mother Margaret Esther Reed was born in 1847 in Wolverhampton, they were married in 1879 in Nottingham and went on to have 4 children sadly one died in infancy their surviving children all born in New Basford were, William Alexander b1881, George Thomas b1884 and Bernard Bruce b1885. Bernard married his wife Clara Whitworth on 29th March 1906 at the Nottingham Registry Office, they lived at 5 Ward Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham. In the 1911 census his family are living at 34 Howitt Street, New Basford and are shown as Margaret Esther 62 yrs a widow and office caretaker, she is living with her son William Alexander 30 yrs a wheelwright, In the same 1911 census Bernard is living at 5 War Street, New Basford, Nottingham, he is shown as being 26 yrs and a house painter he living with his wife Clara 26 yrs. His father William Edward died in 1900 in Nottingham he was 79 yrs of age and his mother died in 1918 also in Nottingham, she was 72 yrs of age. Following Bernard's death his widow Clara was awarded a pension of 13shilling and nine pence with effect from 31st March 1919.
Gunner Bernard Bruce Beasley was called up on 11th August 1916 at Nottingham, he was 31 yrs and 239 days old, he gave his address as 5 Ward Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, he gave his religion as that of a Wesleyan and his occupation as that of a painter. His next of kin was his wife Clara of the same address. He was posted as a gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery, He embarked from Southampton on 18th January 1917 disembarking the following day at Le Harve. He was wounded and hospitalised on 9th September 1917 and returned to his unit on 9th December 1917 and was posted to the 160th Siege battery on 29th December 1917. He died of wounds received in action on 15th September 1918 and is buried in Brie British Cemetery, France. grave reference IV.G.4
Death notice published 28th September 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BEESLEY. – Gnr. B. Beesley, R.G.A., wounded four times since August, 1916, killed in action September 15th, 1918. We miss him most who loved him most.” In memoriam published 15th September 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BEESLEY. – In loving remembrance of Gnr. B. Beesley, killed in action September 15th, 1918. Oh, for the touch of a vanished hand, and the sound of a voice that is still. – Loving wife, sisters, Martha, Lile, brothers Fred and George.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
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