L/Cpl 33174 George Ewart Bevan

• Age: 26
• From: Buckley
• Regiment: 12th KLR
• Died on Friday 4th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F 1D.8B & 8C

George Ewart Beavan was born in 1889 in Buckley the son of John Beavan and his wife Frances Esther(née Hughes) who were married on the 07th April 1888, in Knutsford, Cheshire. John was aged 25, father William, whilst Frances was aged 25 father William. George was baptised on the 06th November 1889 at Bistre, his father was a labourer of Spon Green. 

On the 1891 Census the family are living on Mill Lane, Buckley. His father, John Beavan is aged 28, a general labourer born in Buckley, his mother Frances E. is aged 28, born Ewloe. They have two children; George aged 1 born Buckley, and Kate aged 4 months born Buckley. 

On the 1901 Census the family are living on Stanley Road, Buckley. His father, John, is aged 38, a brickworks labourer, his mother Frances Esther is aged 38. There are now four children in the household; George Ewart 11, Kate 10, Louisa May 5, and Gertrude 4. 

George was mentioned in the Cheshire Observer on Saturday 16 February 1901 concerning a Concert: 

SCHOOL CONCERT.—On Wednesday a successful concert was given by scholars and teachers of Bistre National Schools. The chair was taken by Major Gibon, who explained that the object of the concert was to provide for the children for their attendance and good conduct. In a fanciful operetta, entitled “ Mr Nobody,” the characters were taken by George Beavan, Hugh Thornton, Charles Iball, Richard Hill, and Nelly Montfort. At the close the National Anthem was sung by the crowded and appreciative audience. The concert was repeated on Thursday evening. 

The 1911 census finds George Ewart Bevan living in Bistre, Buckley where he is a 22 year old schoolteacher. He lives with his father John a brickworks labourer, his mother and his sisters Louisa May (15), Gertrude (14).

He married Elizabeth Eleanor Thomas in Chester on 11th November 1915, and they had one child Georgina Elizabeth born 09 October 1916.

George enlisted in Liverpool and joined the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 33174.

He subsequently transferred to the 12th Battalion K.L.R. George was killed in action on, or since, 04th August 1916.  

According to CWGC and SDGW he was transferred to the 12th Battalion K.L.R. However, the newspaper states he was with the Manchesters. This is highly likely as Pte’s W. A. Lawson and Ernest Charles Weeks, who also died that day, were attached to the Manchester Regtiment, probably their 12th Btn. The family headstone upheaves all this quoting him 21st KLR.  . 

George's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

A newspaper report at the time of his death gives some further background: 

CORPORAL G.E. BEAVAN, BUCKLEY

News has been received of the death of Corporal George Ewart Beavan, of the Manchester Regiment.  Corporal Beavan joined the Liverpools but, while in France, was transferred to the Manchesters. Deceased was educated at the Council Schools, Buckley, and the Alun School, Mold, being a pupil teacher at the former. Subsequently he taught at schools in Abergele and Chester.  Corporal Beavan was a brilliant scholar, and a most promising career has been cut short. He was always very cheery and sanguine, and will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. Numerous letters of condolence and sympathy have been received by his wife and parents, with whom general sympathy prevails. Corporal Beavan was 26 years of age, and a communicant of the Bistre Parish church.  His parents reside at Main-street, Buckley, and his young widow at Mold.

He is commemorated on the family headstone at Mold Cemetery as follows:

Also of Lance Corporal G Ewart Bevan
Kings Liverpool Regiment
The beloved son – in -law of the above
Who was killed on the Somme
France August 4th 1916 aged 26 years

Beneath his details is the epitaph:

‘Greater love hath no man  ……
A man lay down his life for his friends.’

Grateful thanks are extended to Sefton RUFC.

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