Britain
Group of 8 to Captain George William Beszant, MBE, Royal Artillery 1888-1913/ 1916-19, 12 Northumberland Fusiliers 1914-16, wounded at Battle of Loos 1915, his wife was killed in the blitz 1941, with research & original photo, a good lot, see description
Group of 8 to Captain George William Beszant, MBE, Royal Artillery 1888-1913 and 1916-19, served 12 Northumberland Fusiliers 1914-16, was wounded at the Battle of Loos 1915, his wife was killed in the blitz 1941, Wandsworth, London, includes a large file of research with original photo, a good lot, see history
George William Beszant was born in Axbridge, Somerset, on 25th Feb 1868 and baptised on
March 22nd.
He was the son of John (a gardener, then aged 30) and Eliza (nee Creedy or Cruddy).
They were married in Bedminster in 1865 but Eliza died late in 1874 when George was only
6 years old.
John died in 1922 in Axbridge aged 84.
Their children, apart from George, were:
Charles Reginald - born Abridge, c. 1867
Laura Emma - born Axbridge, 1871
Charles Reginald - born Abridge, c. 1867
Laura Emma - born Axbridge, 1871
His father then married Catherine Frances Andrews in Bath late in 1875.
Their children:
Florence Ellen - born Axbridge, 1874-75.
Beatrice E. - born Axbridge, 1875.
Herbert Frederick - born Axbridge, 28th Jan. 1877 - died Sept. 1969 in Bristol.
Amy Frances Edith. - born Abridge, Jan. 1879.
Elsie Gertrude Fanny - born Axbridge, Jan. 1881 - 1971.
Percy Lionel John - born Axbridge, Oct. 1886 - died 8th Oct. 1952, Weston-super-Mare.
Winifred Georgina Ida Kathleen - b. Abridge, 20th June 1892 - died Dec. 1969 in Taunton.
George Beszant worked for the Post Office as a Rural Postman on the Axbridge-Bidisham route from 1884 to 1888.
He enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1888 and served in the ranks from 1888 to 1907 (19 yrs and 75 days) before being promoted to Sert. Major and serving as Warrant Officer (latterly Battery Sergt. Major) from 9th Aug. 1907 to discharge on 26th June 1913.
He served in the Boer War with 86 Howitzer Battery (Cape Colony, Transvaal, Laing's Nek) until invalided from South Africa on 17th Nov. 1900.
"Arrived in SA on 23 Feb. 1900 and after a time was taken to the Natal border and for some time remained around Dundee and Newcastle. A section marched along the Standerton Railway Line with Genl. Clery to Heidelberg. Towards the close of 1900 a part of the Battery was with Cunningham west of Pretoria. Two guns were brought south from the Transvaal to near the Orange River in November to assist in keeping de Wet out of the Cape Colony."
(Beszant left in November 1900)
Beszant was Senior Warrant Officer and "representative NCO" for 90th Battery at the coronation ceremonies for Edward VII in 1902 and for 31st Bde. RFA in 1911.
Married Elina Gertrude Deacon of Kingsdown, Bristol (b. 1st Dec. 1877) in Bristol on 7th Jan
1901.
He retired in the rank of Battery Sergeant Major of 31st Brigade RFA in June 1913.
He was recalled for war service in September 1914 and was commissioned at Lieut. and Quartermaster of the 13th Northumberland Fusiliers - perhaps a strange posting for someone who had spent 25 years in the Artillery!
The Handbook of the OBE states that he served with this battalion in the battle of Loos.
Promoted to Captain on 30th July 1916.
Invalided to UK via Calais-Dover in Feb. 1916 and posted to the Anti-Aircraft Reserve, GA, where he raised and commanded a Battery until it was stood down at the close of the war.
Appointed MBE per "Peace Gazette", i.e. London Gazette, 3rd June 1918.
Demobilised 15th Nov. 1919.
Relinquished Commission and retained rank of Captain, 27 Sept. 1921.
Address given on commission as 56, Swaffield Rd., Wandsworth; later as 80, Barmouth Rd., Wandsworth, SW 18.
He was listed as a Clerk in civil life.
Captain Beszant died at 133, Geraldine Rd., Wandsworth, on 31st May 1936, aged 68.
He left estate valued at £979.9.6d to his widow, Elina, who also received a pension of £30
p.a.
He was buried in St. Anne's parish, Wandsworth, on 4th June 1936.
His wife, Elina Beszant, was killed during the London Blitz when their/her house at 133
Geraldine Road received a direct hit on 16 April 1941 - one of the heaviest raids of the Blitz.
Her body was not recovered or identified and she is commemorated by name in Wandsworth cemetery and is also commemorated on the civilian roll held in St. George's Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
Commonwealth War Graves:
Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough Cemetery.
Civilian War Dead - BESZANT, ELINA GERTRUDE
Died 16-04-1941, aged 62. Died at 133 Geraldine Road.
Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Deacon, of Nailsea, Somerset; widow of Capt. G. W.
Beszant, M.B.E.
