CQMS 15004 John Barton Beeston

• Age: 30
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 10th February 1916
• Commemorated at: Suzanne Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: E.2

John Barton Beeston was born in 1885 in Everton, Liverpool,  and was the youngest of six children born to Henry John Beeston and his wife Mary (nee Robertson)  His father was a forwarding clerk, born in Muggington, Derbyshire, while his mother was born in Wrexham. His parents married in 1871 in Derbyshire.

In 1881, Henry is living in Windermere Street, Liverpool and is employed as a cow-keeper. They have four children, all born in Dore, Derbyshire, Millicent J. 8, Alice 6, Hannah E. 4 and Henry W. 1

The three boys were all baptised on the same day 25th August 1885 at St Saviours, Liverpool. John Barton born 17th February 1885, Frederick Charles born 30th March 1882, Henry William born 02nd November 1879. Father Henry was at this time a dockman.

By 1901 the family were living in 34 St Andrew Road, Walton. John Barton is a 16 year old commercial clerk. His father, Henry is a 52 year old forwarding clerk, whilst his mother is 55 years of age. Millicent is 28 years of age and a draper's clerk, Alice is 26, Hannah E. is 24 and a dressmaker, Henry W., is a 21 year old stationer’s assistant and Ferederick C. is a commercial clerk aged 19. Frederick and John are shown as born in Everton.

On 03rd October 1909 at St Mary's, West Derby, John Barton married Frances Esther Clements. The marriage was witnessed by his brother Frederick Charles.  

At the time of the 1911 Census they live at 10 Goodacre Road, Walton, and have Esther’s widowed mother and Esther’s older sister living with them.

His parents in 1911 still live in St Andrew’s Road when his father Henry is a provision merchant. 

John enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15004.

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. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

John was killed in action on 10^th February 1916, aged 30. 

Battalion Diary for 10th Feb 1916 shows:

"12.45am - 1.30am heavy shelling in SUZANNE"

His death was reported in the Liverpool Evening Express on 15th February 1916

News has been received of the death of Quartermaster Sergeant J.B.Beeston,of the 17th Service Battalion K.L.R. (Pals),which occurred on the 9th inst.throught the collapse of the billet where he was stationed.In private life Quartermaster Sergeant Beeston resided at 3,Oriel-road,Bootle, and in business was employed as cotton salesman with Messrs,A.V.Paton and Co.,Orleans House,Liverpool. He was a popular figure on the Cotton Exchange, and in honour of his memory the flag of the Liverpool Cotton Association is flying half mast. 

Also in the Daily Post on 24th February 1916:

SEGT. J. B. BEESTON KILLED

LOSS TO LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET

The intimation that Sergeant J. B. Beeston has been killed at the front will be received amongst members of the Liverpool Cotton Market with great regret, Private Yates is also amongst those who have fallen on the battlefield. Major George Higgins, of the Liverpool 17th Service Battalion, writing to the President of the Liverpool Cotton Association states:- "I am very sorry to inform you that we yesterday lost through shellfire the lives of two men in my company, both of whom were connected with the Cotton Market. One was my Company Quartermaster-Sergeant J. B. Beeston, and the other Private Yates. They were both killed simultaneously and instantaneously during the early hours of yesterday morning. I helped to recover their bodies and they were buried during the afternoon in a small cemetery outside the village by the Chaplain in the brigade. I feel the loss of my Quartermaster-Sergeant very acutely, he has been my right hand man, and especially since we have been in the trenches he has worked like a Trojan night and day, always cheerful and willing, and anxious to do all he possibly could for the men in bringing up their rations regularly and in good order to the trenches."

"Private Yates was in the quartermaster-sergeant's department, and was always a very good fellow, always cheerful and bright, and ready to make the best of everything."

John earned his 3 medals.

He now rests at Suzanne Communal Cemetery Extension, which was used by the British Army between August 1915 and January 1917. His grave is number E 2 and the headstone bears the epitaph:

"DEARLY LOVED HUSBAND OF FRANCES E. BEESTON"

The village of Suzanne was taken over by British troops in the summer of 1915, lost in March 1918, and recaptured by the 3rd Australian Division on the following 26th August. The Extension was begun by French troops, used by the British from August 1915 to January 1917, taken over by the Germans in March 1918, and resumed by British units in August and September 1918. The graves of 387 French and 71 German soldiers have been removed to other cemeteries. There are now over 150, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. The Extension covers an area of 981 square metres and is enclosed on three sides by a low rubble wall.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Frances Esther, 3 Oriel Rd, Bootle

Probate dated 07th March 1916 to widow Frances Esther

John is commemorated on the following Memorials;

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 14 as S J B Beeston

Cotton Association Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool

Bootle Civic Memorial.

We currently have no further information on John Barton Beeston, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.