The Huntingdonshire Cyclist Battalions

Benjamin Percy A. Beetham

Of the few record that survive for the HCB there is confusion about a lot of men and Benjamin is one of those men. The data on him is confusing, but I will state here all of the data known about him, and when more data becomes available the data will be changed as necessary.

The records of the diary of Sergt. Woods are possibly the most reliable.

There is one source that says his name was Bernard P. A. Beetham.
The notebook of Sergeant Sidney Woods indicates that he was one of 15 men in No. 5 and 6 section of No. 6 platoon. The notebook also gives us the following information about this man. Religion C of E ; Boot size 7 ; Cap size 6.75"; Height 5'-7"; Chest 34". He was listed as Single. He had been vaccinated and inoculated with the rest of the men in his platoon. He specialised in Bombing. He was given a full set of equipment that included, pouch right and left,100 rounds of ammunition, back pack, strap support, braces, cape straps, 2 boots, 3 blankets, waterproof sheet, bolster, paliase, field dressing, identity disc, mess tins, haversack, cycle, whistle and waist belt. The notebook also indicates that he joined the imperial force for a period of 4 years.

This source also indicates that he was in the 2/1st HCB and had the HCB number of 567 - enlisting at their HQ in St. Mary's Street Huntingdon on the 6/10/1914. He held the rank of private. He gave his address as Sapley Road, Hartford, Huntingdon, his date of birth as 12/11/1895, in Brampton, Huntingdonshire and his occupation as a decorator. He was given cycle no. 10, rifle no. 400 and bolt no. 1178582.

He later served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (T. F), this would be after he went to France and was wounded on the Somme in 1917 [date unknown].

My record and research indicates that he [Benjamin] was one of a large number of men from the Reserve Bat. who volunteered for active service. They marched through Huntingdon behind their band on the Saturday (before 23 December 1914), and departed from the station in additional coaches that were attached to the 10:06 train. No destination was given for the train or the men of the Reserve Battalion.

The information above is confirmed by more research and information from Volume 12 'Bedford and Northampton' of The National Roll of the Great War' published by The National Publishing Company, 1 York Place, Baker Street, London, W. 1. - the Extract being '' BEETHAM, B. P. A, Royal Warwickshire Regt. - He volunteered in August 1914, and for a time was retained on duties of an important nature in England. Transferred to France in January 1916, he fought in numerous engagements, and was wounded on the Somme in 1917. After receiving hospital treatment he was able to return to the line, and took part in the fighting in the Cambrai sector until the Armistice. Demobilised in march 1919, he holds the General Service and Victory medals. Z1249/B.

In my research I have also come across the following data relating to this soldier - this still to be fully evaluated. As a private in the H C B was given the service number 242875. He also served, at a later date, as a private in the Labour Corps with the service number 415238.

Benjamin Beetham in HCB uniform.
[above]

.
Benjamin had an elder brother, Robert who also lived at Sapley Lane, Hartford, but there are no records that he served as a Hunts. Cyclist.

This photo is of Robert Beetham standing next to his father John Thomas Beetham outside their house at Sapley Lane, Hartford, Huntingdonshire. The cap badge would appear to be that of the Royal Artillery.

This is confirmed by more research and information from Volume 12 'Bedford and Northampton' of The National Roll of the Great War' published by The National Publishing Company, 1 York Place, Baker Street, London, W. 1. - the Extract being '' BEETHAM, R. A., Gunner, R. G. A. - He volunteered in August 1914, and in June of the following year proceeded to France, where he took an active part in the fighting on the Somme. He was severely gassed, and after being in hospital for some considerable time, unfortunately died in May 1920. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals. ''His memory is cherished with pride'' Sapley Lane, Hartford, Hunts. Z1249/A.

Photo of one of the Beetham boys.
The following family data has been kindly provided by Diana Sweeney. They were her Great Uncles. Her mother Grace [nee Beetham] and her sister were sent to Dr Barnardos [Kent] after her mother [Daisy] died - Benjamin and Roberts, sister. Grace [nee Beetham] then met and married my father and their life was in Sussex then Harrow
Benjamin Percy A Beetham - born in 1892 / on the Census 1901 was 8.

Robert Beetham was his younger brother born in born in 1896.

Family photos kindly provided by Diana Sweeney.
If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com

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09/04/2012
. . Martyn Smith © .

	Of the few record that survive for the HCB there is confusion about a lot of men and Benjamin is one of those men. The data on him is confusing, but I will state here all of the data known about him, and when more data becomes available the data will be changed as necessary. The records of the diary of Sergt. Woods are possibly the most reliable.
		There is one source that says his name was Bernard P. A. Beetham. The notebook of Sergeant Sidney Woods indicates that he was one of 15 men in No. 5 and 6 section of No. 6 platoon. The notebook also gives us the following information about this man. Religion C of E ; Boot size 7 ; Cap size 6.75"; Height 5'-7"; Chest 34". He was listed as Single. He had been vaccinated and inoculated with the rest of the men in his platoon. He specialised in Bombing. He was given a full set of equipment that included, pouch right and left,100 rounds of ammunition, back pack, strap support, braces, cape straps, 2 boots, 3 blankets, waterproof sheet, bolster, paliase, field dressing, identity disc, mess tins, haversack, cycle, whistle and waist belt. The notebook also indicates that he joined the imperial force for a period of 4 years. This source also indicates that he was in the 2/1st HCB and had the HCB number of 567 - enlisting at their HQ in St. Mary's Street Huntingdon on the 6/10/1914. He held the rank of private. He gave his address as Sapley Road, Hartford, Huntingdon, his date of birth as 12/11/1895, in Brampton, Huntingdonshire and his occupation as a decorator. He was given cycle no. 10, rifle no. 400 and bolt no. 1178582. He later served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (T. F), this would be after he went to France and was wounded on the Somme in 1917 [date unknown]. My record and research indicates that he [Benjamin] was one of a large number of men from the Reserve Bat. who volunteered for active service. They marched through Huntingdon behind their band on the Saturday (before 23 December 1914), and departed from the station in additional coaches that were attached to the 10:06 train. No destination was given for the train or the men of the Reserve Battalion. The information above is confirmed by more research and information from Volume 12 'Bedford and Northampton' of The National Roll of the Great War' published by The National Publishing Company, 1 York Place, Baker Street, London, W. 1. - the Extract being '' BEETHAM, B. P. A, Royal Warwickshire Regt. - He volunteered in August 1914, and for a time was retained on duties of an important nature in England. Transferred to France in January 1916, he fought in numerous engagements, and was wounded on the Somme in 1917. After receiving hospital treatment he was able to return to the line, and took part in the fighting in the Cambrai sector until the Armistice. Demobilised in march 1919, he holds the General Service and Victory medals. Z1249/B. In my research I have also come across the following data relating to this soldier - this still to be fully evaluated. As a private in the H C B was given the service number 242875. He also served, at a later date, as a private in the Labour Corps with the service number 415238.
Benjamin Beetham in HCB uniform. [above]
. Benjamin had an elder brother, Robert who also lived at Sapley Lane, Hartford, but there are no records that he served as a Hunts. Cyclist.		This photo is of Robert Beetham standing next to his father John Thomas Beetham outside their house at Sapley Lane, Hartford, Huntingdonshire. The cap badge would appear to be that of the Royal Artillery. This is confirmed by more research and information from Volume 12 'Bedford and Northampton' of The National Roll of the Great War' published by The National Publishing Company, 1 York Place, Baker Street, London, W. 1. - the Extract being '' BEETHAM, R. A., Gunner, R. G. A. - He volunteered in August 1914, and in June of the following year proceeded to France, where he took an active part in the fighting on the Somme. He was severely gassed, and after being in hospital for some considerable time, unfortunately died in May 1920. He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals. ''His memory is cherished with pride'' Sapley Lane, Hartford, Hunts. Z1249/A.
Photo of one of the Beetham boys.		The following family data has been kindly provided by Diana Sweeney. They were her Great Uncles. Her mother Grace [nee Beetham] and her sister were sent to Dr Barnardos [Kent] after her mother [Daisy] died - Benjamin and Roberts, sister. Grace [nee Beetham] then met and married my father and their life was in Sussex then Harrow Benjamin Percy A Beetham - born in 1892 / on the Census 1901 was 8. Robert Beetham was his younger brother born in born in 1896.
Family photos kindly provided by Diana Sweeney. If you can help with any data on this Huntingdonshire Cyclist please contact me at huntscycles@btinternet.com
	Return to Soldiers Section.		Return to Main Menu.
09/04/2012	.	.	*Martyn Smith* © .