Main CPGW Record
Surname: BEASLEY
Forename(s): John William
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 35730
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion
Division: 3rd Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-10-01
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VI. C. 15.
CWGC Cemetery: FLESQUIERES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John William Beasley was the son of John William and Amelia Beasley, née Jarvis. John, senior, was born at Ketton, Rutland and Amelia at Wimbish, Essex.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 5, Byron Street - John Wm Beasley, aged 2 years, born Skipton, son of John Wm and Amelia Beasley.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 17, Montgomery Street - John William Beasley, aged 12 years, born Skipton, son of John William and Amelia Beasley.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John W. Beasley, 35730, R. Lanc. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte John William Beasley, 35730, 8th K.O.R.L.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: L/C (Pte) John William Beasley, 35730, 8 Bn Royal Lancs. Date and Place of Death: 1.10.18 in action France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father and Sole Legatee - John W. £14 8s. 3d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for John. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr John William Beasley. Relationship: Father. Address: 18, Ermystead [sic] Street, Skipton.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BEASLEY, L. Cpl. John Wm., K.O.R.L., aged 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Beasley, 18, Ermysted Street, Skipton, killed Oct. 1, 1918.
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L/Corporal John William BEASLEY
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 3rd Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
‘Craven Herald & Pioneer’ (15 March 2002)
Kindly supplied by David Lambert
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
25 October 1918
MORE SKIPTON SACRIFICES - Lance-Corporal John William Beasley
Lance-Corporal John Wm. Beasley, King's Own-Royal Lancaster Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Beasley, of 18 Ermysted Street, Skipton, was killed in action on October 1st, aged twenty years. Believed to be one of the tallest Skiptonians in the Army (he was 6 ft. 3 ins. in height), he enlisted in October, 1916, and went to France in August, 1917, and had previously been gassed. In civil life he was a Weaver for Mr. Midgley, Union Shed, Skipton, and a member of the Skipton Baptist Church. His brother, Lance-Corporal Charles Edward Beasley, is a Lewis Gun instructor.
03 October 1919
BEASLEY - In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Lce.-Cpl. J. W. Beasley, K.O.R.L.R., who was killed in action in France on October 1st, 1918.
Upright and just in all his ways,
Faithful and true to the end of his days;
Forgotten by some - to the world he may be,
But true to our memory he ever will be.
'Tis sad, but true, we don't know why
The best are the first that are called to die.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, 18, Ermysted Street, Skipton.
BEASLEY - In sad but loving memory of Lce.-Cpl. J. W. Beasley, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt., killed in action October 1st, 1918.
Dearer to us than words can tell
Are our thoughts of him we loved so well;
'Tis only those who have loved and lost
Who can now realise war's bitter cost.
From Irene and Family, 10 Queen Street.
01 October 1920
BEASLEY - In ever loving memory of Lance-Corporal J. W. Beasley, who fell in action October 1st, 1918.
Two years have passed, but not forgot
By those who loved you well;
Your memory is as dear today
As in the hour you fell.
From Irene and Family, 16 Queen Street, Skipton.
BEASLEY - In loving memory of our dear son, Lance-Corporal J. W. Beasley, K.O.R.L.R., who was killed in action in France October 1st, 1918.
A better son never lived,
Nor one so kind and true;
Worthy of everlasting love
From those he left behind.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, 18 Ermysted Street, Skipton.
30 September 1921
BEASLEY - In ever loving memory of a dear son and brother, L/Cpl. J. W. Beasley, 8th K.O.R.L., who was killed in action, Oct. 1st, 1918, aged 20 years.
Time changes all things,
But remembrance lives for ever.
From father, mother, brothers and sisters, 18 Ermysted Street, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
25 October 1918
BEASLEY - Killed in action Oct. 1st, Lance-Corpl. J.W. Beasley, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs. [J.]W. Beasley, 18, Ermysted Street, Skipton, aged 20.
25 October 1918
Another Skipton Soldier Killed.
Official information was received on Friday last that Lance-Corpl. John Wm. Beasley, of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Beasley, of 18, Ermysted Street, Skipton, was killed in action on Oct. 1st. Lance-Corpl. Beasley, who was 20 years of age, enlisted in October, 1916, and went out to France in August, 1917. He had previously been slightly gassed. He was a member of the Skipton Baptist Church, and was formerly employed as a weaver by Mr. Midgley, manufacturer, Union Shed, Skipton. Mr. and Mrs. Beasley have another son, Lance-Corpl. Charles Edward Beasley serving, and is at present acting as a Lewis gun instructor.
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John William ‘Willie’ Beasley was the ‘sweetheart’ of my great, great Aunt Irene Barker who I remember very well from my childhood; she passed away in 1983, aged 85, when I was 13. My family and I see that Willie is remembered and have visited his grave at Flesquières Hill British Cemetery near Cambrai, northern France, on three occasions, most recently on 1st October 2018 – the centenary of his death.
Hello Iain. I was very interested to read the record of ‘Willie’. We have a somewhat tenuous connection in that my wife and I have lived at 18 Ermysted St since 2012 and the previous owner left a binder containing documents pertaining to double glazing, gas info etc, amongst which, was a newspaper feature from The Craven Herald which referenced Willie in some detail including a photo out of uniform and mention of your great, great aunt Irene Barker and the fact that he lived where we now live. Here’s a synopsis of the feature:
Willie Beasley, weaver, Union Shed Mill. Enlisted in King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in 1916 and went to the front the following year. On September 30th 2018, wrote a love letter to his fiancee, Irene Barker remarking how every cloud had a silver lining. Killed in action the following day just 41 days before the end of the war.
Very poignant and I think it’s amazing that you visit Willie’s grave. Should you wish, please feel free to contact me as I will be happy to attach the Craven Herald feature.
Best Regards
David (Lambert)