BERNARD VICTOR BEECROFT
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from 1945 Evening Star newspaper
Born: 7th April 1919, Ipswich.
Died: 21st July 1943; age: 24; Died from Beri-beri, whilst a Japanese PoW – Thailand – Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 92, Foxhall Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: a Salesman.
Rank: Lance Corporal; Service Number: 5830621
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.
Grave Reference:
8.G.10.
Thailand.
Grave image courtesy of Kevin Knights
Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of Horace & Emma Beecroft, of 9, Neale Street, Ipswich; husband of Joan Alice Beecroft, of Ipswich.
Father: Horace Beecroft, born March 1875, Worlingworth, Suffolk. An Iron Monger’s Carman.
Mother: Emma Beecroft (nee Daines), born February 1874, Sutton, Suffolk.
CENSUS
1921 27, Silent Street, Ipswich.
Bernard was 2 years & 2 months old and lived with his parents and siblings.
Horace Beecroft, 46 years & 3 months old,
Emma Beecroft, 47 years & 4 months old,
Evelyn Rose Beecroft, 18 years & 2 months old, a Clerk for Messrs. Whitfield King & Co., Stamp Dealer, of 99, Lacey Street, Ipswich, born Ipswich.
Gerald Daines Beecroft, 11 years & 9 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Raymond Horace Beecroft, 7 years & 6 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Lois Audley Beecroft, 5 years & 10 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Veda Irene Josephine Beecroft, 3 years & 10 months old, born Ipswich.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Bernard was a Shop Assistant at a Confectioners & Tobacconist. He lived with his parents and sister at their family home – 9, Neale Street, Ipswich.
Horace, an Ironmonger’s Carman.
Emma, unpaid Domestic Duties.
Veda, a Housemaid and Waitress at a Drapey Store.
In 1941, Ipswich, Bernard married Joan Alice Culf, born 1923, Ipswich, daughter of Harold Bouquet Culf, a gent’s hairdresser and Alice Laura Culf (nee Girling), a Fish Frier, of the Fish Bar, 4 & 6, St. Peter’s Street, Ipswich.
Joan’s brother ERIC HAROLD CULF also lost his life during the Second World War, as an Italian PoW aboard S.S.’Scillin.’
The 18th East Anglian Division. (including 4/5th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment)
15 February 1942: After the Fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken POW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway. Bernard was held at Chungkai prison camp.
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Bernard’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition “Be Ye Men of Valour” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT. All welcome.
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