No.128217, Pioneer, Arthur BEETON
Aged 29
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Arthur Beeton was born in Soham on 11th March 1889 (Newmarket Q2-1889 3B:557), baptised in Soham on 3rd April 1889, son of William and Jane
BEETON (née GILBY).
1891 census...Aged 2, he was at East Fen Common, Soham with his father William BBETON [27] farm labourer; his mother Jane [25] and brother Herbert [3]. All were born in Soham 1901 census...Aged 12, he was at The Piece, Soham with his parents, brother Herbert (farm labourer), and new sister Florence E [7] and brother Elijah [5], both born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 22 a farm labourer, he was at Mereside, Soham with his parents, brothers Herbert and Elijah (farm labourers) and William [4] born Soham, and sister Florence Elizabeth. Jane had borne 8 children but 3 had died. The pension card for the brothers has their parents at Leap Year Cottage, The Piece, Soham. His younger brother Elijah was killed on the 3rd day of the Somme. see here |
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The Special Companies of the Royal Engineers were involved in the British Army's gas warfare operations. Not always popular as they instigated the gas attacks and then withdrew, leaving the retaliatory barrage to fall upon their trench dwelling chums. He enlisted in Newmarket. There is something strange here, he is recorded as 'killed in action' and buried close to the front line and yet his medal index card records a silver war badge ?. He has not been found on any Silver War Badge list. The medal rolls have him as in East Surrey's first, only the medal index card has the reverse. The Special Companies being mobile units, it is next to impossible to say where Arthur was killed, except that it is recorded in the war diary of the 245th Machine Gun Company that the British were using gas on 21st August in the proximity of Mercatel Local press report:- A sharp blow has been unfortunately meted out to Mr.and Mrs.Wm.Beeton, of Leap Year Cottages, Mereside, who received two communications on Sunday morning stating that their second son, Pioneer Arthur Beeton, Royal Engineers, was killed in action on Aug.20th. It will be recalled by our readers that Mr. and Mrs. Beeton's third son, Pte. Elijah Beeton, who was reported missing on July 3rd 1915, has also been now reported as killed in action, on or near that date. The late Pioneer Arthur Beeton, prior to the war, was employed in agricultural work near Downham, Norfolk. He joined the Colours on Dec.7th ,1915, and was in training at Dover until the following February when he was drafted to France. He was home on ten days leave at the beginning of this month, and only returned to France on the 10th, and ten days later was killed. Letters speaking in high praise of the deceased have been received by the bereaved parents from his officers and a fellow comrade from Soham. His Lieut. wrote:-"I fear the news contained in this letter will come as a shock to you. Your son, Pte A.Beeton, was killed on the evening of Aug.20th by a German shell. From the nature of the wounds, death must have been instantaneous. His loss is a blow to all of us, for he was such a willing lad , and one of the best men in the company. We feel that a brother has been taken from us. To you comes the greatest loss of all. May God in his mercy grant you strength and courage in your sorrow. It was the noblest death of all, for he died in helping to defend his country, a task which he had always carried out extremely well. I hope it will be of some comfort to you to know that you have the deepest sympathy of all offers and men in this company". One of his fellow comrades from Soham wrote:-" I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son Arthur was killed in action on the night of Aug.20th. It will come as a great shock to you, especially as it is only a week or two since he was at home. It is also a blow to me, as you know we were the best of pals; a better pal no-one ever had; we were like brothers out here. All the boys of the section express their deep regret, as Arthur was such a favourite with all.He was always cheery, and had won the goodwill of all his comrades."
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