Thomas Frederick Beardall

Thomas was born in 1897, the son of Matthew and Sarah Beardall who had 16 children. At the time of the 1911 census when they were living at North Street, Sutton in Ashfield, they had 14 children: William Victor (21), Harriett May (18), Matthew Herbert (16), Sarah Elizabeth (15), Thomas Frederick (13), Selina Annie (12), Eliza Flora (10), Eunice Eva (9), Elsie Lillian (8), Hilda (7), Doris Mary (5), Mabel (3), Evelyn (1) and Florence Green (3 months). Two more children who were born after 1911 were included in a list of Frederick's living relatives which was completed for the Army's records in August 1919: Bert (4) and Trine [daughter] (8). The family later moved to 'Sunnyside', 8 Bath Street, Sutton in Ashfield; this is the address given on Thomas' army records. Declaration of living relatives 26 August 1919. Father, Matthew Beardall (52), and mother, Sarah Beardall (49), both of 8 Bath Street, Sutton in Ashfield. Brothers: William (29), Oak Tree Road, Sutton in Ashfield, and Matthew Beardall (24) and Bert Beardall (4), both of 8 Bath Street. Sisters: Alice Beardall (30), 5 Walton Street, Sutton in Ashfield, and 11 sisters all at 8 Bath Street; Harriet (27), Sarah (23), Annie (20), Eliza (18), Eunice (17), Elsie (16), Hilda (15), Doris (14), Mabel (11), Evelyn (10), Trine (8). There were no nephews or nieces listed. His sister, Hilda, died on 27 April 1922 aged 18 years and his father two years later on 26 April 1924 aged 56 years. His mother died aged 74 on 16 November 1944.

In 1911 he was a colliery banksman above ground. When he enlisted he was a cotton patent (sic) hand.

'Sunnyside', 8 Bath Street, Sutton in Ashfield

His army service record survives. He enlisted at the age of 19 years 28 days on 16 October 1916. Home service 16 October 1916 to 13 January 1917. Expeditionary Force (France) from 14 January 1917 to 23 January 1918. He embarked Southampton on 14 January 1917 and disembarked in Le Havre the following day. He was wounded in 1917: 3 May 1917 Field, wounded. 8 May 1917 Field, blast wound/GSW right hand To CCS 8 May 1917. 9 May 1917 hospital, Rouen, for GSW right hand 11 May 1917 hospital Rouen, GSW right hand. 14 May 1917 hospital Buchy GSW right arm. Joined at Etaples 9 June 1917, and rejoined unit in the Field 22 June 1917 He was killed by a shell on 23 January 1918 and is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery (grave ref. III. F. 16). He had served 1 year and 100 days in the army. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Report in local paper (not identified) LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED Private TF Beardall, Sutton. 'News has been received of the death in action of Private Thomas Frederick Beardall, 8 Bath-street, Stoneyford-road, Sutton, at the age of 20 years. The deceased soldier, who was connected with the Yorks and Lancs, Regiment, had been out at the front about thirteen months when he was killed on January 23rd. Prior to enlistment he was engaged as a hosiery hand. His parents have received the following letter from the officer of deceased’s platoon: 'I am about to undertake the most unpleasant duty of a platoon officer. It is with the deepest regret that I have to sit down and pencil these few lines to you. I wish on behalf of myself and the boys of this platoon to offer you our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies. We are all extremely sorry to lose your son, he answered his country’s call like a soldier fighting to the last, and we are all proud of him. I have not been with this platoon very long, but I found him to be one of my best men and I was very sorry to lose him. The most unfortunate thing about it is that we had only just commenced our spell in the trenches. We were just settling down for the night when a shell came over to the post where he was stationed, killing him and a comrade and wounding two others. Once more offering you my deepest sympathy, Yours truly, W Lowe, 2nd Lieut.’'

Personal inscription, CWGC headstone: Slain at the dawn amid the barrage roar my son.' Inscription on family headstone, Sutton in Ashfield cemetery. ‘In remembrance of my dear husband, Matthew Beardall, who died April 26th 1924 aged 56 years. Also our dear daughter, Hilda, who died April 27th 1922 aged 18 years. Also our dear son, Pte Thomas F Beardall, 2/4 York & Lancs Regt. who was killed in France Jan 23rd 1918 aged 20 years buried in Roclincourt Cemetery, Arras. Rest in peace. Also of Sarah, wife of the above who died Nov. 16th 1944, aged 74 years. Reunited.’ Soldiers' Effects: his parents were his legatees. Thomas' personal effects were returned to his father in June 1918: letters, postcards, photos, 2 religious books, cigarette case, glass mirror in case, steel mirror in case, wallet, cigarette (-). Rachel Farrand