Arthur Beardsley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur was the son of William and Mary Ann Beardsley (née Clarke or Clark). His father was born in Carlton, Nottingham, in about 1853. His mother was born in 1855, also in Carlton, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Clarke (née Burton). She had two siblings, Harry (b. 1884) and Herbert (b. 1858). William and Mary Ann were married at Gedling All Hallows in June 1880. According to the 1911 Census, they had eight children one of whom died in infancy. However, a child registered as John Carnell Clarke who was born in about 1876, was described on the 1881 census as William's stepson but on the 1911 census was using the surname Beardsley and described as William's son. Eight other children, one of whom was born before their marriage, were named on the census between 1881 and 1911 but no record of the death of one has yet been traced: Elizabeth Beardsley Clark (sic) birth registered 1878 (J/F/M), Eliza Ann b. 1880, William Henry b. abt 1883, Florence Ada b. 1885, Arthur b. 21 September 1887, Leonard b. 1890, Edith birth registered 1894 (J/F/M) and Frederick b. 1897. Elizabeth, Eliza, William and Florence were baptised at Gedling All Hallows in 1886, Arthur at Carlton St Paul on 15 June 1892 and Leonard at Gedling All Hallows in May 1891. The family was living at Freemans Terrace, Carlton, at the time of the 1881 and 1891 census and still at the same address when Arthur was baptised the following year. William's widowed mother-in-law, Elizabeth Clarke, a laundress, was living with them during this period. William, an engineer's fitter who probably worked for the railway, and his wife had moved to 17 Pearson Street, Netherfield by 1901. Eight of the children were in the home on the night of the census: John Beardsley (25) and William (18) who worked on the railway, Elizabeth (23), Eliza (20) and Florence (15) who were cotton doublers, Arthur a bricklayer's apprentice and their two youngest siblings, Edith and Frederick. Leonard has not yet been traced on the census but was recorded in his parents' home in 1911. By 1911 William and Mary had moved to 54 Chandos Street, Netherfield, where they were living with six of their children: Eliza, William, Florence, Leonard an engine fitters' labourer (railway), Edith a cotton doubler like her sisters, and Frederick a printer's errand boy. Elizabeth was married (1903, Watson) as was Arthur. John has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. William snr. died in March 1914. His widow was still living on Chandos Street at the time of her death in January 1929. Arthur married Eliza Jarvis (b. 1889), the daughter of Alfred and Phoebe Jarvis, in 1910 and they had two daughters, Florence Edith b. July 1910 and Dora b. January 1912. In 1911 Arthur, now working as a railway engine cleaner, and his wife were living at 21 Wallett Street, Netherfield. Although Arthur included their daughter Florence (9 months) on the census return she was also recorded by her maternal grandfather, Alfred Jarvis, in his household at 7 Garnett Street, Nottingham. Elza was still living on Wallet Street when Arthur was killed in 1915. She married secondly George H Price in 1919 and the later CWGC record gave her address as 49 Forester Street, Netherfield.
2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment. Arthur enlisted at Nottingham. Arthur enlisted in September 1914 and served with the BEF France from 21 April 1915. He was killed in action at Le Epinette three weeks later on 16 May 1915 and was buried behind the trenches. However, either his grave or his identity was lost and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. The Memorial is located in the Le Touret Military Cemetery, He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Le Touret Memorial (extract): 'The Le Touret Memorial commemorates over 13,400 British soldiers who were killed in this sector of the Western Front from the beginning of October 1914 to the eve of the Battle of Loos in late September 1915 and who have no known grave ... Almost all of the men commemorated on the Memorial served with regular or territorial regiments from across the United Kingdom and were killed in actions that took place along a section of the front line that stretched from Estaires in the north to Grenay in the south. This part of the Western Front was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the first year of the war, including the battles of La Bassée (10 October – 2 November 1914), Neuve Chapelle (10 – 12 March 1915), Aubers Ridge (9 – 10 May 1915), and Festubert (15 – 25 May 1915).' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC Additional information: 'Husband of Eliza Beardsley of 49, Forester St, Netherfield, Notts.' Beeston Gazette and Echo, 1915: The Roll of Honour for Carlton, Colwick, Netherfield and Gedling Districts, which listed those serving and those lost, included ‘Beardsley. A. Bedfords. Killed at Le Epinnette on May 16th.' Beeston Gazette and Echo, 19 June 1915: ‘Another Netherfield Soldier Killed. We regret to record the fact that another of our brave Netherfield men has fallen on the battlefield while fighting for King and country. Private A Beardsley was killed in action at Le Epinnette, France, on May 16th, and we hope to publish his photograph and further details next week.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette and Echo, ‘Deaths,’ 19 June 1915: ‘Beardsley. Killed in action at le Epinnette, France, on May 16th, Private Arthur Beardsley (Bedfordshire Regiment) of Netherfield.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Gazette & Echo, 26 June 1915 (photograph): ‘Killed in France. We have pleasure in publishing a photograph this week of Private A Beardsley, who was killed in action at Le Epinnette, France, on May 16th. It was in September last that Beardsley threw down his shovel as a fireman connected with the Colwick GNR Loco., and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment. He was quickly sent to the front, and had the misfortune on May 16th, to be shot through the head, death being instantaneous. He was buried behind the trenches. Had Private Beardsley lived until September next he would have been 28 years of age. His mother resides at 54, Chandos street, Netherfield, and his widow in Wallet Street. He leaves two children, both being girls, the elder of whom is only five years of age. A sad feature of the incident is that Private Beardsley’s cousin, also a native of Netherfield, was killed the following day at Festubert. His name is Company Sergeant Major Harry Clarke, of the Grenadier Guards. He was 31 years of age, and was born in Freeman’s terrace, off Burton road, Carlton, although his parents left this district several years ago and went to Canterbury where they now reside’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: 12424 Company Sergeant Major Harry Clarke, 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards, is also commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Beeston Gazette & Echo, 8 January 1916. Photograph with caption: Pte A Beardsley. Killed in action at Le Epinette, France, on May 196t [1915] He was formerly a fireman at the Colwick GNR Loco., and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment in September, 1914. His mother resides at 54, Chandos street, Netherfield. He left a widow and two children, the eldest being five.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His widow Eliza Price (m. 1919) was his sole legatee. Beeston Gazette & Echo, ‘Deaths,’ 4 April 1914: ‘Beardsley. At 54 Chandos street Netherfield, William Beardsley, aged 57 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam,’ 23 March 1915: Beardsley. In affectionate remembrance of William, beloved husband of Mary Ann Beardsley (Netherfield), died March 23rd, 1914. No farewell words were spoken, he bade good bye to none; his spirit fled before we knew that from us he had gone. Wife and daughters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Beeston Echo & Gazette, ‘Deaths,’ 19 January 1929: ‘Beardsley. At Chandos Street, Netherfield. Mary Ann Beardsley aged 73 years.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
