Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Beeson a Coal Miner Charge Man, born 1869 in Chesterfield, Derbys., and his wife Mary E., born 1873 in Barrow upon Soar, Leics. Austin was born in 1897 in Whitwick, Leics., his siblings were Jemima, born 1892, Rose D. G., born 1894, Louisa, born 1899 and Elizabeth A., born 1899, all his siblings were born in Whitwick, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at School Lane, Whitwick, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Whitwick, St. Andrew. In April 1911 Austin was employed as a Coal Miner and Pony Driver and was residing in the family home at School Lane, Whitwick, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Jemima, Elizabeth, Louisa, Florrie, born 1905 and Lily, born 1910, the latter two siblings were both born in Whitwick, Leics. The War Diary for today records. LE HAMEL. At 1.00am 2nd Lt W. M. COLE took out large search party with covering Lewis gun but nothing could be found of missing man. Enemy’s advanced machine gun apparently no longer in position. Between 10.30 and 12.00 midday enemy shelled LE HAMEL with short bursts of high velocity and Howitzer shells doing no great damage but causing everyone to take cover rapidly. Enemy’s aeroplane brought down in flames near GORRE WOOD. Hostile activity in the air very noticeable. Several machines turned back as our anti aircraft -?- gun fire. Quiet day. Advanced parties from 6th Battn SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGT came up to take over.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday June 28th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

The death is officially reported of Private A. Beeson (Coalville) of the Leicestershire Regiment.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 28/2/2018