Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert William Beeton a Rural Postman, born 1864 in Saltley, Warwickshire and his wife Alice May, born 1875 in Rushmere, Suffolk. James Robert was born in 1897 in Waltham, Leics., he had one sibling, a sister Alice Irene Mary, born 1901 in Waltham, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Waltham, St. Mary Magdalene. In April 1911 James was a Schoolboy and Part Time Butchers Errand Boy and was residing in the family home at Waltham on the Wolds, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Alice and Herbert Clarence, born 1904 in Waltham, Leics. James enlisted into the Royal Naval Division on the 3/8/15, his medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, he had a chest measurement of 31 to 33 inches, his hair colour was brown and he had greyish brown eyes, his complexion was described as fresh, it was noted that he had three vaccination marks on his left arm, he gave his trade or calling as a clerk and his religion as Church of England. He gave his address as 37, Bayswater Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics., and he gave his father Mr. Robert W. Beeton of Waltham, Leics., as his next of kin. He was recommended as a Signaller. He died from disease.
On Friday February 23rd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “WALTHAM” – CALLED TO HIGHER SERVICE.- We greatly regret to record the death of Wireless Telegraphist James R. Beeton, of HMS Haldon, at the Naval Hospital, Edinburgh. Deceased enlisted in the Royal Naval Division in July 1915, and with three others left for training at HMS Crystal Palace the first week in August. He was appointed to a vessel before Christmas, and has made rapid progress. He was taken ill, and becoming rapidly worse, his mother was summoned by wire but he expired before she could reach the hospital, on Monday Feb. 12th. The sad news of his death was received at Waltham with grief. His body was brought home on Wednesday, and as the hearse passed the school all the children stood at salute. On Friday his last mortal remains were interred in the graveyard of the Church he loved to well. He was one of the Waltham Troop of Boy Scouts, so it was fitting that his coffin should be borne by his brother Scouts. Placed on the tack cart it was solemnly drawn through the street, escorted by the whole troop. He was followed by his father and mother Mr. And Mrs Robert Beeton, Miss Irene Beeton, sister, Master H. Beeton, brother, Mr Joe Beeton, uncle, Mr. And Mrs H. G. Beeton, uncle and aunt, Miss Potter, aunt, Mr. And Mrs Matthews, Mrs. Marshall, Mr. J. Dickenson and Mr. Higgens, Assistant Scoutmaster J. Mount, A.S.M. E. Geeson, A.S.M. G. Garner and Patrol Leader W. Talbott bore the coffin.