L/Cpl 15847 Henry Beacham

• Age: 24
• From: Rock Ferry, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 3rd May 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.H.22

Henry Beacham was born on 3^rd December 1891 in Rock Ferry, Henry (Harry) was the second of 2 sons born to Henry Edward, a sailor on a tugboat, and Mary Ann Beacham nee Clare. Harry was educated at Rock Ferry Higher Grade School and was a boy chorister at St Peter’s Church, Rock Ferry. Leaving school, Harry obtained a clerical position with Messrs Elder Dempster.

In 1901 they lived at 58 Russell Road, Rock Ferry, and Mary Ann’s younger brother, George Clare, a marine fireman, lived with them. 

By 1911, Mary Ann is a widow, still at 58 Russell Road, and living with her 2 sons, Samuel, a 21 year old joiner, and Harry.

He enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on the 03^rd September 1914, joining the 17th Battalion as Private 15847 giving his age as 22 years 275 days, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his mother.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. On 28^th May 1915, he was appointed L/Corporal (Unpaid), having qualified as a machine gunner. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. 

He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915, earning all three medals. He was killed in action on 03^rd May 1916 aged 24. 

Harry's death was reported in the Birkenhead News on 18th May 1916

"Mrs Beacham, of 58,Rusell-road, Rock Ferry, has received news of the death of her son, Lance-Corporal Harry Beacham, of the 17th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, while on active service. The young man was 24 years of age, and was educated at Rock Ferry Higher Grade School. When the war broke out he was employed in the clerical staff of Messrs.Elder,Dempster and Co.,of Liverpool. Shortly after the outbreak of war he joined the colours, and was attached to the Machine Gun Section, "D" Co., S.B.King's Liverpool Regiment. As a boy he sang in the choir of St.Peter's Church,Rock Ferry. Mrs Beacham has received several letters of sympathy from the firing line. The chaplain (Rev.P.H.Turnbull) writes as follows:-"Dear Mrs.Beacham, I much regret to say that your son H.Beacham, lance-corporal in the 17th Liverpools, was killed in action early this morning. He was at his post in the trenches,and was hit by a German sniper.You have the consolation of knowing that he died at his post doing his duty. I buried him this afternoon in a beautiful place behind the line. The grave will be marked by a permanent cross. Many of his comrades were with us at the little service. I feel that little I can say can do much to lighten the burden of your sorrow, but I do offer you my real sympathy ,and that in future years you may always feel proud of him." From Lance-Corporal Beacham's friend, Private John.H.Phillips, who joined with him, Mrs.Beacham has received a very sympathetic letter,in the course of which he says:-"I hasten to tender you my deepest and heartfelt sympathy in your great trouble. My grief knowns no bounds, as the loss of such a splendid companion causes a blank in my life which can never be filled. It was 1.10 this morning that Harry was hit in the head by a snipers bullet,and until he passed away he was unconscious. If it is any consolation to you I can assure you he suffered no pain whatever,a s he was rendered unconscious instantaneously. Everything possible was done for him by his comrades,but despite their efforts he passed away about an hour after the accident. We arrived in the trenches on Sunday night, and we were a very happy party until this gloom appeared. Harry was one of the most popular N.C.O.'s in the battalion,and his popularity was well merited for he was willing to do a good turn always. I am voicing the sentiments of the whole machine gun section in fact, the whole battalion-when i say that he will be sadly missed...The interment took place at 2.30 this afternoon,and several of his comrades attended .His grave will be always cared for." Sergeant Smedley also wrote describing Lance-Corporal Beacham as a dear friend and most popular machine gunner,whose loss will be very much felt". 

Harry’s effects were sent to his mother and included a wallet and a purse and his mother wrote to Army Records to say:

“I have had information from a reliable source that there should be money in both the wallet and purse. An enquiry would greatly oblige”.

There is no copy of any return letter.

An entry in De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour gives Harry’s date of birth as 19^th November 1891 and adds that he was killed in action near Mariecourt. It quotes an officer who says:

“(Harry) was in charge of one of the Company’s machine guns and was a very gallant boy. He will be missed by his Section and all the men that knew him as we were all fond of him”. A comrade is also quoted and says “In work and pleasure we have been together almost always and much of the pleasure of this business was due to his cheerful disposition. He was one of the most popular NCOs in the Battalion and his popularity was well merited for he was willing to do a good turn always. I am voicing the sentiments of the whole Machine Gun Section, in fact the whole Battalion, when I say he will be sadly missed”.

 
Harry now rests at Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery, Grave II H 22, France. 

He is commemorated at Birkenhead Civic Memorial and Roll of Honour.

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