Name
Willam Bean
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
20/04/1917
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
203215
Bedfordshire Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
JERUSALEM MEMORIAL
Panel 17.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Samuel and Charlotte Lottie (nee GREEN) BEAN of Leavesden Green, Herts.
His parents married 4 August 1892 at St James’, Bushey, Herts. Samuel died 1948 in Watford aged 77, and was buried 11 February in North Watford Cemetery; Charlotte died 1953 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 5 January, also in North Watford Cemetery.
William was born 2 August 1893 in Watford, and baptised 21 April 1895 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended first Callow Land Infants’ School, Watford; then Callowland Board School from 8 January 1900 to 31 July 1907.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings. On the 1911 Census, a gardener aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and seven siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford, and was formerly Private 10638 Bedfordshire Regiment. He was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 26 July 1915, and was killed in action in the front line following the Second Battle of Gaza in the Egyptian theatre of war.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, William’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for William in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 9 June 1917.
His brother Samuel died 10 February 1917 and also features in this Roll of Honour
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
