WW1

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

With the advent of World War 1, the three Beddows brothers, John, Henry and Bertram signed up and went to war.

Bertram Beddows had already enlisted in Liverpool, with the part-time 3rd Battalion (Bn) Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, in the first week of July 1911 aged 17 years old. The Kings are now part of the Duke of Lancaster Regiment.

His previous employment was as a Coal Miner at West Cannock Colliery at Hedensford, Staffs. He was mobilised at the start of WW1 and was eventually posted to the 1st Bn KLR on the 16th March 1915, as part of the 19th re-enforcement draft and joined them in the field at Bethune on 20th of March. After being wounded on 16th May 1915 he was returned to England. He was then transferred from the Kings to the 3rd Bn Cheshire Regiment, and returned to France 18th December 1915. He was later posted to "B" Coy, 15th Bn, Cheshire Regiment 21st Janurary 1917.

The records tell that on 22nd October 1917, 16th Cheshires attacked north of Poelcapelle. It was a successful operation and, in the evening, they were relieved by 15th Cheshires from their positions at 'Colombo House'. 15th Cheshires then held the position for a couple of days. The regimental history records that during its time in the line the battalion had to fight off several counter attacks and were harassed by low flying aircraft. They held on to their line and repulsed all attempts to drive them back. During the tour of duty 22 men were killed including Bertram and 75 wounded.

In Memory of

Private BERTRAM BEDDOWS 33523, "B" Coy. 15th Ban. Cheshire Regiment
who died age 21 on 24 October 1917
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beddows, of 28, Dale View. Garston, Liverpool.
Remembered with honour
TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Bertram Beddows, Private, 33523, "B" Company. 15th Battalion. Cheshire Regiment, 24th October 1917. Age 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beddows, of 28, Dale View. Garston, Liverpool. Tyne Cot Memorial, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 61 to 63

Born Ironbridge, Shrops. Son of William and Martha Beddows of 6 Livingstone St off Hinchley Rd Leicester and later of 49 Bolton Rd, Leicester - as of March 1920 they were living at 28 Dale View, Garston Liverpool. As of March 1920 his siblings were William Beddows aged 31 of 6 Livingstone S, Leicester, J Beddows aged 22 who was in India, and Henry Beddows aged 20 of 6 Hanover Place, Liverpool, Ellen Beddows aged 39 of Birmingham, Lizzie Beddows aged 35 of Liverpool, Alice Beddows aged 31 of Liverpool, Ethel Beddows aged 24 of Birmingham and Emma Beddows aged 26 of Staffs.

Enlisted Liverpool 14/7/11. Age at enlistment 17 years 4 months, occupation coal miner (he previously work for the West Cannock Colliery at Hedensford) , height 5' 3", weight 107 lbs, eyes brown, hair brown, religion CofE. Mobilised 8/8/14 and posted to 1 KLR 16/3/15 - he was previously in 3 (SR) Battalion KLR. It seems he was illiterate (unable to both read and write). To France 17/3/15 from Southampton and joined Battalion in the field 20/3/15. Admitted 2 Stationary Hospital (Boulogne) 16/5/15 (gsw arm and hand). Evacuated to England on the HS Salta 18/5/15. Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No 2 and forfeits 14 days pay for being absent without leave from 5/12/15 to 14/12/15. Transferred to 3 Cheshire Regt 17/11/15. To France 18/12/15 and attd 19 Infantry Base Depot. Posted to 9 Cheshire Regt in the field 30/12/15. Admitted 59 Field Ambulance 29/2/16 (influenza). Rejoined Battalion 5/3/16. Admitted 45 Casualty Clearing Station 8/7/16 (gsw hand received 7/7/16 -his ring finger l hand was almost severed - 3rd finger was amputated 20/7/16). Evacuated to England on the HS Jan Breydel 10/7/16 - he was under hospital treatment 11/7/16 to 19/10/16. Forfeits 10 days pay for being AWOL? 28/10/16 to 6/11/16. Joined 3 Cheshire Regt. To France 17/1/17 and joined 4 Infantry Base Depot 19/1/17. Posted to 15 Cheshire Regt 21/1/17 and joined them in the Field the following day. Awarded 7 days Field Punishment No 2 for irregular conduct 17/7/17. Admitted 107 Field Ambulance 19/8/17 (gsw l knee and r arm). Rejoined Battalion 28/8/17. Killed in action 24/10/17. (Soldiers Papers PRO - WO363/B1397 frame 544)

Joined 1 KLR 20/3/15 at Bethune in 19th Reinforcement Draft.

(1KLR Bn Diary)

Henry John Beddows signed up as John Henry Beddows; he enlisted at Hannaford Residence, Cannock.

The 7th South Staffs were part of 11th Div; The 11th Div had arrived from Egypt after the beginning of the Somme offensive and had no part in the early battles. It took over the Thiepval-Ovillers sector on 4th Sept 1916 and the 7th South Staffs were shelled on the 6th Sept during their work on the trenches. The trench diaries of the day record,

"9th Sept 1916....misty morning and therefore quiet. Again shelling became heavy towards the afternoon.

Causalities: -killed

17215 Pte Beddows J.H."

By the 12th Sept, they had sustained 30 casualties, including 2 experienced company commanders and on 14th Sept, the 7th South Staffs had taken such punishment that they were withdrawn and did not see action again until 26 Sept.

In Memory of

Private JOHN HENRY BEDDOWS 17215, 7th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment
who died on 09 September 1916
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beddows, of 28, Dale View, Garston, Liverpool.
Remembered with honour
OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

In memory of my two greatuncles
Private BERTRAM BEDDOWS, 33523, "B" Coy. 15th Bn., Cheshire Regiment, (Formerly 9939, Liverpool Regiment) who died on 24 October 1917.
Private JOHN HENRY BEDDOWS, 17215, 7th Bn., South Staffordshire Regiment who died on 09 September 1916.

and two family members from another tree
Private CHARLES BEDDOW, 10375, 1st Bn, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, who died on 09 August 1915
Private FREDERICK WILLIAM BEDDOW, 5117245, Pioneer Corps, who died on 11 June 1941