Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Henry Beaver an agricultural labourer, born 1859 in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Elizabeth Beaver (nee Swain, married in the 2nd quarter of 1878 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1857 in Scalford, Leicestershire. Thomas was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in Lowesby, Leicestershire, his siblings were Emma Swain, born 1878 in Scalford, John William, born 1882, Samuel, born 1884, George, born 1886 and Henry, born 1888, the latter four siblings were all born in Lowesby, in April 1891 the family home was at Dalby Magna, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Thomas was employed in farm work and was residing in the family home at the Grange, Leesthorpe, Pickwell, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shepherd, his mother and siblings, Harry, a farm worker, Sarah Ellen, born 1892 in Great Dalby, Leicestershire, Elizabeth, born 1894 and Martha, born 1898, both the latter two siblings were born in Pickwell. Thomas also had an older sister, Mary Ann, born 1880 in Lowesby. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a blacksmith, and was residing in the family home was at Penn Street, Oakham, Rutland together with his wife Mary Emma Beaver( nee Buckley, married on the 14th March 1910 in Wing, Rutland), born 1892 in Wing, Rutland, and their daughter, Beatrice May, born 8th August 1910 in Oakham. Thomas and Mary had two further children, Meta Grace Ellen, born 24th October 1912 and Thomas William, born 28th July 1914, both children were born in Oakham, their family home was at 2, Gas Street, Oakham.
Thomas attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 16th January 1915 in Oakham. He gave his present home address as 2, Gas Street, Oakham, his age as 26 years and 3 months and his trade or calling as blacksmith. He gave his place of birth as Lowesby, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife, Mary Emma Beaver of 2, Gas Street, Oakham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 139 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Royal Engineers at Chatham as a Sapper, service number 66014 on the 16/1/15. Qualified as a Shoeing Smith on the -?-. Transferred to 130th Field Company at Branksome, on the 30/1/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 27/9/15. Suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh, compound fracture of the femur and dangerously ill, in the field on the 17/10/16. Died of wounds in the 4th General Hospital, Dammes Camiers, France on the 29/10/16. Total service 1 year 288 days. Thomas was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals. Thomas’s widow was awarded a weekly pension for herself and her three children of twenty six shillings and three pence to commence on the 7th May 1917. Thomas’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 17 Oct-16 – X 7 a 32. The Company and 140 Infantry on communication trench from R.21.d.13 to R.21.d.10 clearing and traversing. Company -?- deepening and widening new communication trench from R.27.c.54. to R.27.a.44. 90 Infantry at night dug communication trench from R.21.d.43. to R.21.d.60. Pack pipes blown up at 5.45pm. Section of 105th ENGINEER Company consolidated. It blew trench 8 foot deep and 25 foot wide at top, far too big and giving no protection against shrapnel. Didn’t think it much use except as a trench destroyer.
On Friday November 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – PTE. BEAVER. – On Wednesday morning Mr. Beaver, who is in the employ of Mr. Hanbury, at The Grange, Welby, received a letter from one of the nursing sisters stating that his son died in a hospital where he had been admitted suffering from a shattered thigh. Deceased leaves a widow and two children.
On Friday December 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. - “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” – The following casualties amongst local men are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. Saturday’s list included:- DIED OF WOUNDS. ROYAL ENGINEERS. Beaver, 66014. Spr. T. (Oakham).