H Beddoes (1891 - 1918)

Henry Beddoes was the son of Henry Beddoes, a general labourer, and his wife, Susan. They lived in Railway Street. After leaving school, Henry worked as a builder's labourer.

Henry appears to have enlisted in September 1914. He served with the 7th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry arriving in France on 2nd October, 1915. He would have seen action with the Battalion in the Ypres salient in the winter of 1915/16, on the Somme in July 1916, at Bazentin Ridge and Serre on the Ancre. In 1917 the Battalion was in action at Arras and the Scarpe, and at Polygon Wood (in the Third Battle of Ypres).

The 7th KSLI had spent Christmas 1917 in the trenches. They were relieved on the 26th, but instead of being sent for rest they took over new trenches at Noreuil. The Battalion History records: "These trenches had no cover, the snow was six inches deep, the weather intensely cold, and there were many casualties." Henry Beddoes was wounded on the 27th and died of his wounds on 10th January, 1918, probably at one of the military hospitals in Rouen. He is buried in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.

Private Beddoes was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 19th January, 1918.

DIED OF WOUNDS
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 19th January, 1918]
Mr. H. Beddoes, of 65 Listley Street, Bridgnorth, has received news from the War Office that his son, 16088 Pte Henry Beddoes, D Coy., 5th K.S.L.I., was wounded on 27th December last, and died in No. 3 Stationary Hospital, France, on 9th January. He was buried in the Cemetery at Rouen on the 11th inst.