BEARD Herbert Thomas

Served in the South Africa Campaign.

Herbert Thomas Beard was born in Dudley, Worcestershire.  He was attested as Private 3618 in the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on 17th February 1893 in Worcester when he gave his age as 20 years and 9 months.  He was resident at Barbourne, Worcester and was 5 feet 6 inches tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.  He gave his next of kin as his mother, Jane Beard, May Cottages, Droitwich Road, Worcester.  Following his attestation Herbert spent 364 days on home service from 17th February 1893 to 15th February 1894, leaving England for 270 days service in the East Indies from 16th February 1894 to 12th November 1896.  After returning to England he remained on home service from 13th November 1896. He served in the Boer War in South Africa from 18th March 1900 to 15th September 1902. Herbert was transferred to the Army Reserve on 26th January 1903 and finally ‘Discharged Time Expired’ on 16th February 1905.

Great Western Railway Roll of Honour:
Herbert Thomas Beard Dresser/Sheet Department/Worcester for 12 years Age 42 Private 1st Worcester Regiment, Killed in Action 16/3/1915.

Source: The Great Western Railway in the First World War by Sandra Gittins, 2010.

Great Western Railway staff magazine, reference: 1915/07/182:
Herbert T. Beard had served twelve years in the 1st Worcestershire Regiment, including six years in India and the period of the South African war. For the latter he received the Queen’s and King’s South African medals. He had been employed as a sheet dresser in the Sheet Dept. at Worcester for the past twelve years.

Herbert Beard

Herbert Beard has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Le Touret Memorial.