GEORGE BEECROFT
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1915
Born: 2nd January 1897, Chiswick, London.
Died: 18th February 1915; age 18; KiA by a sniper whilst trying to get water for a wounded comrade during the Battle of Ypres.
Residence: 25, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
Occupation: assisting his father in his Coal and Firewood Dealer business.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich; date: 21st July 1914.
Date of Entry Therein: 16th January 1915 – France.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 8998.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
In March 1923, the body was discovered alone at map reference 28.O. 3. c. 30.75, with no cross marking the grave. The body was exhumed and identified by the Titles and a damaged Disc before burial alongside many unknown/unnamed British Soldiers, at Birr Cross Roads Cemetery. The Titles and the damaged Disc were forwarded to Base.
Grave Reference:
I.A.15.
West-Vlaanderen,
Belgium.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Mr W.R. Beecroft, of 25, Rope Walk, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1901 District Western Hospital, Fulham, London.
George was 4 years old and a Patient at the hospital. His family were living at 165, Stephendale Road, Fulham, London.
1911 22, Bond Street, Ipswich.
George was 14 years old and assisting his father in business. He was living with his parents & brothers.
William Ricahrd Beecroft, 46, a Firewood Dealer, born Hastings, East Sussex.
Ellen Eliza Beecroft (nee Cracknell), 39, born Bradfield, Essex.
Arthur Thomas Beecroft, 16, assisting father in business, born Hammersmith, London.
William Richard Beecroft, 12, born Chiswick, London.
Frederick Beecroft, 10, born Fulham, London.
Edward Beecroft, 7, born St. Helen’s, Ipswich.
Alfred Beecroft, 2, born St. Helen’s, Ipswich.
George was educated at Ackmar Road School, Parsons Green, and Clifford Road School, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to William R. Beecroft – father.
George is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Michael’s Church, Ipswich.
E.A.D.T. – Tuesday, 12th January 1915 – IPSWICH MAN’S FINE RECORD – Private William Richard Beecroft, of 25, Rope Walk, Ipswich, who has four sons now serving with the colours, has a fine record of service. He first belonged to the Middlesex Militia, to which he was attached for three months, and subsequently belonged to the Royal Marine Light Infantry (12 years and 1 month), the Home Counties’ Royal Reserves (1 year, during the South African War), Royal Fleet Reserve (5 years), National Reserve, at Ipswich (1 year), and is now serving in Kitchener’s Army (8th Suffolk Regiment, Colchester). His sons are serving as follows: – Saddler H. Beecroft, 6 years, 27th Battery Royal Field Artillery, France; Bombardier A. Beecroft, 3 years, 27th Battery Royal Field Artillery, France; Private G. Beecroft, 9 months, 2nd Suffolk Regiment, expecting to go to France at any time; Trumpeter W. R. Beecroft, recruit, Royal Field Artillery, Woolwich.
AN IPSWICH MILITARY FAMILY
Above, we give the portraits of Prvt. William Richard Beecroft and his wife, together with their four sons, who are all in the Army, and of whom one was killed in action before Ypres on the 10th February last. Before joining the 8th Suffolks, Prvt. William Beecroft carried on the business of a coke and firewood dealer at 25, Rope Walk, Ipswich, and was assisted by his sons. He joined the Army in August of last year and has been at the front four times. The names and regiments of his sons are:-
- Sadler H. Beecroft, who has served six years in the R.F.A. He was nine months in France and was then invalided home, wounded. Has now recovered and expects to go out again shortly.
- Bombr. A. Beecroft, who has served three years in the R.F.A., and is now in France with the British Expeditionary Force.
- George Beecroft, of the 1st Suffolks, was killed in action.
- Trumpeter W.R. Beecroft, the youngest son, in the R.F.A. He joined during the outbreak of war and is now at Woolwich.
THE SUFFOLK REGIMENT 1st Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
6 Comments
Seth Garrard is George’s great great great nephew. As part of a school trip he placed a memorial cross on George’s grave on 3rd February 2023. Seth’s great grandfather – George Beecroft – was named after his uncle.
Hi Linda ,
my Nephew Richard Beecroft and his wife Margaret have passed your message ref Seth Garrard onto me i am very interested in this as George was my dad Alfred Beecroft brother can i ask were you fit into the Beecroft family tree i have visited Georges grave at Birr Crossroads
l look forward to your reply
Terry Beecroft
Hello Terry
What a nice surprise.
If you have seen the article published in the local Ipswich paper during WW1 entitled “An Ipswich Military Family “ showing the 4 sons serving in the War my grandfather was Sadler Harry Beecroft.
He had 6 children (2died as teenagers – Harry and Winnie). My father George Charles Beecroft was born in 1922 and was named after his deceased uncle.
His other siblings were Ruby, Ivy and Walter.
My dad had 2 daughters – myself and Karen.
Karen has 3 children – Luke , Leah and Joel.
Seth is Leah’s son – my nephew and Karen’s grandson.
I unfortunately never had children.
If you have made a family tree or have any information you would share we would be very interested.
We live in Gt Cornard Sudbury Suffolk.
I sent an e mail reply to the e mail address supplied to me but unfortunately this was rejected saying no such e mail existed
Linda Beecroft
Hi Linda,
Sorry my email didn’t respond last December I have family tree going back to 1690 and a lot of Beecroft family photos if you and Karen are interested my email is =teebee4644@hotmail.com
My name is Karen Oxford née Beecroft, Seth Garrard is my grandson, He was given the opportunity to visit his great great great Uncle George’s grave, something my Father always wanted to do. My Father was George Charles Beecroft. His Father , my Grandfather was Harry Samuel Beecroft brother of George Beecroft.
Hi Karen ,
I have only just seen your post from Dec23 ,my father was Alfred Beecroft the youngest son I have family tree going back to 1690 and many photos of the Beecrofts if you are interested ,I have also replyed to your sister Linda
Terry