Thomas Henry Beaton  (known as Harry) was born in Oswestry in 1893 and christened 2 June 1893 at Holy Trinity Church. He was the 11th of 12 children born to Thomas & Mary Beaton. His father was blacksmith foreman. In 1901 they were living at Bay Villa on Llys Lane, Oswestry. William’s father died in 1908 and by 1911 the family had moved to 12 Vyrnwy Road. At that time Harry was living and working at a grocery shop in Llangollen, on Berwyn Street. By the time of the war he was working for the grocers Messrs Phillips and Co. in their shop on The Cross in Oswestry. Harry  was a member of Holy Trinity Church Choir and of the church club for which he played cricket and football.

Harry was one of the original Oswestry Pals, enlisting in September 1914 in the 6 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He went over to France with the Battalion in July 1915. He was KIA on 17 September 1916 during an enemy attack in the front line near to Waterlot Farm during the Somme Offensive. His body was not recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. He is also commemorated at St Oswald’s Church and at Holy Trinity Church where a memorial service was held for him.  Many letters of sympathy were sent by his colleagues in the battalion expressing their loss at his death.

Harry’s brother, William Robert Beaton, also signed up, his trade was a motor mechanic and he joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a mechanic. He survived the war.

Killed on same day and action Private 15348 Robert T Jones, 6 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. KIA 17 September 1916, Serre Road Cemetery No. 2

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

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