Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Alfred Beaver a tailor & grocery shop keeper, born 1868 in Oakham, Rutland and his wife Annie Beaver (nee Peet, married in the 4th quarter of 1892 in the Oakham, Rutland district), a grocery manager, born 1872 in Oakham. Bernard Charles was born on the 1st February 1895 in Oakham, his siblings were Leonard Alfred, born 1893 and Edith Helen E., born 1899, both siblings were born in Oakham, in March 1901 the family home was at Deans Street, Oakham. In April 1911 Bernard was employed as an apprentice tailor’s cutter and was residing in the family home at Deans Street, Oakham, together with his parents and sibling Douglas Eli, born 20th June 1902 in Oakham. His family later moved to 56, Cold Overton Road, Oakham.
Bernard was apprenticed to Mr. R. T. Stevens, Oakham as a tailor’s cutter, and afterwards went to Gravesend where he remained before joining the army. He enlisted in the City of London Yeomanry, and was afterwards transferred to the 9th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, and ultimately he trained as a Lewis Gunner. He served during the Irish Rebellion, before proceeding to France where he fought at Cambrai, the Somme, Arras and other engagements. He was killed at Morlancourt, France when his Lewis Gun was blown up by German hand bombs. A comrade describing the event stated:- “There were only he and myself left in the German third line, and then we were in danger from a German bombing post. The German’s saw us and threw over some bombs, several of which we missed, but then we got one that blew our gun to pieces and a bit of it hit me in the hand, another hit Bernard killing him. He suffered no pain whatever.” He was well known as a promising violinist and was in an orchestra in Ireland, and also in France during his stay at a Convalescent Camp. Charles enlisted with the 3rd Battalion City of London Yeomanry, subsequently being transferred to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 14th December 1916, and was then posted to the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on the 2nd January 1917. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 8 Aug-18 – BAZIEUX. Large attacks being made today by 4th Army. The Brigade has been sent to the 18th Division for the operations and is operating South of the main BRAY – CORBIE Road. Tanks are co-operating. Battalion in forming up places by 2.30am. Battalion attacking on the left of the Brigade front (BRAY – CORBIE) exclusive of 7th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT on our right. 55th Brigade on our left. Zero at 4.20am. Tanks advance moving forward at Zero –20 minutes and the infantry at Zero -10 minutes. Artillery of all calibres opened a heavy barrage along the whole front of the attack at Zero. A dense mist prevailed at Zero and it was impossible to see 10 yards as a result -?- -?- -?- and tanks became somewhat useless. By 8.00am the mist had lifted and it was reported that the first objective had been gained by “B” Company on the right and “D” Company on the left. “A” Company on the right and “C” Company on the left passed through and gained the second objective. The 53rd Brigade of the 18th Division passed through us to the 3rd objective which they gained. They were driven out however by a German counter attack and by then after anyone -?- found that it was holding the front line. All troops in front of the Battalion had been driven back. Battalion held on to its objectives and the shelling died down towards evening and the Battalion consolidated the lines it had gained. Troops on our right were in position but on our left the situation was not quite clear. Touch was eventually gained with the 5th ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT.
Casualties to Officers:
Killed: Lieutenant W. E. HILL, 2nd Lieutenant R. T. EAGER, 2nd Lieutenant A. NICHOLSON.
Wounded: 2nd Lieutenant A. S. R. SIDEY, 2nd Lieutenant J. A. DAVIES.
Missing: 2nd Lieutenant A. L. HUNTER.
Casualties to Other Ranks: Estimated at 350.
Captures made by the Battalion: 300 prisoners, 30 Machine Guns, 8 Trench Mortars, 1 Anti Tank Gun.
Owing to casualties the Battalion was divided into 2 Companies No.1 commanded by W. CHARRIER, No. 2 commanded by 2nd Lieutenant HARRIS.