BEESLEY, Walter

Address: Manor Farm, Hanslope (1918 and 1939 Election registers; Kelly’s 1939 Directory)

Employment before 1914: Farmer’s son working on farm (1911 census)

Born: Wolverton 1893; died  ?

Family information:

Parents: Shadrach Beesley, farmer born Middleton Cheney, Northampton; Mary Beesley, born Old Wolverton. (7 children altogether, 7 survived)

1901 census: Siblings (nb all born in Wolverton): Ernest Beesley b.1881; William Beesley, b 1883m dairyman on father’s farm; Mildred Beesley  b. 1886; Mary Beesley, b 1895; Olive Beesley b 1890; Walter Beesley b 1893; Harry/Henry Beesley b 1895

1911 census: Siblings at home: 1911 census: Mary Beesley*, Elementary School teacher; Henry, born 1895; Henry Beesley, b. 1895, Famer’s son working on farm.

*In 1926 Mary married William Hidderley

(HDHS)

Army information:

Private 23594? 23954 (Absent Voters list) and 396 Agricultural Company London Coldstream Guards

Bucks Roll of Honour 1914-16 lists him as A Trooper 2163 Coldstream Guards

Newspaper information:

Northampton Mercury 14 September 1917, p11

WOUNDED Beasley [sic], W, Household Brigade of Guards [sic], third son of Mr and Mrs S Beasley of Manor Farm, Hanslope. Wounded March 22 [1917], shrapnel both legs, now in hospital in France, progressing favourably.

Wolverton Express September 9, 1917

WOUNDED

‘Pte. WALTER BEESLEY. Household Battalion. Guards. – Third son of Mr and Mrs S Beesley, Manor Farm, Hanslope. Wounded on August 22 in both legs by shrapnel. He is now in a hospital in France and from the latest news we understand he has been through an operation, from which he is progressing favourably.’   (nb one of six Hanslope soldiers listed as wounded)

Medals: National Archives, Medal Index Cards 2163 RHG. 593529 LC

Remembered: St James The Great, Hanslope, original Roll of Honour

(HDHS)