2nd Lt
Ernest John Wilson Beynon
Information about birth
|
Year of birth: 1898 |
|
Place of birth: Lewisham, London, England, United Kingdom |
General information
|
Last known residence: Catford, lewisham, London, England, United Kingdom |
|
Profession: Student |
Army information
|
Country: Verenigd Koninkrijk |
|
Force: British Expeditionary Force |
|
Rank: Second Lieutenant |
|
Service number: 9694 |
|
Enlistment place: London, England, England, United Kingdom |
|
Units: — York and Lancaster Regiment, 4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 09/10/1917 |
|
Place of death: Berlin Wood, Passchendaele, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
|
Age: 19 |
Cemetery
|
Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XIV Row: B Grave: 14 |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) | ||
| #4 | Sterfteplaats |
My story
Ernest John Wilson Beynon, a former student in the University of London, was born in 1898 in the neighbourhood of Lewisham in Greater London, The United Kingdom. He was the son of William John and Mary Beynon and the grandson of Elizabeth Magdalene Beynon.
Ernest enlisted in London, The United kingdom and later on served as a second lieutenant in the 4th battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, part of the 148th Brigade, of the 49th West Riding Division.
In the first half of October 1917, the 4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, part of the 148th Brigade, 49th West Riding Division, prepared for and participated in the Battles around Passchendaele and Poelcapelle, moving through various locations and facing difficult conditions.
On the 1st of October, the battalion marched five miles from Moringhem to Salperwick. The following day, they continued with a 12-mile march to Nieppe, where they billeted on a large farm, with two companies in barns and the rest in tents. On the 3rd, they marched another 14 miles to Watou. On the 4th, Captain Smythe was sent to the hospital, and Captain W. Allen took over his duties. By the 5th, the battalion had been reduced to fighting strength, with several officers and ORs sent to a reinforcement camp. On the 6th, they moved by bus to Vlamertinghe, where they began preparations for the upcoming assault.
The 7th saw the battalion's CO reconnoitre the front near Passchendaele, and reconnaissance parties were sent forward to scout the route to the front. Meanwhile, A Company moved to Potijze. On the 8th, the battalion gathered equipment, including grenades and sandbags, and began the march to the assembly positions. However, continuous rain turned the ground into a muddy quagmire, delaying progress. The battalion reached the assembly positions by 4:00 AM on the 9th, exhausted and barely ready for the attack.
At 5:25 AM on the 9th, the attack began. The battalion faced immediate difficulties as they tried to cross the Ravebeek stream, which was waist-deep in places. A Company managed to cross and secure their objective, but C and D Companies struggled with heavy machine gun fire. The weak, friendly artillery barrage failed to neutralize enemy positions, allowing the Germans to remain entrenched in pillboxes, which caused further delays. Despite the obstacles, A and D Companies advanced, with A Company digging in at their objective. By the evening, the battalion successfully held its positions, fending off a counterattack, but casualties were significant.
On the 10th, the battalion was relieved by a New Zealand battalion and marched back to Vlamertinghe, where they arrived around 5:00 AM, exhausted. Casualties from the battle included numerous wounded and missing men. The remainder of the next days was spent recovering and reorganizing, with the battalion suffering from trench foot, which hindered their mobility and readiness for further action.
Ernest John Wilson, around age 19, was Killed In Action on the 9th of Octobre 1917. His body was initially buried near “Berlin Wood”, Passchendaele at 28.D.10.d.20.30. Later, his remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XIV, Row B, Grave 14.
Ernest enlisted in London, The United kingdom and later on served as a second lieutenant in the 4th battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, part of the 148th Brigade, of the 49th West Riding Division.
In the first half of October 1917, the 4th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, part of the 148th Brigade, 49th West Riding Division, prepared for and participated in the Battles around Passchendaele and Poelcapelle, moving through various locations and facing difficult conditions.
On the 1st of October, the battalion marched five miles from Moringhem to Salperwick. The following day, they continued with a 12-mile march to Nieppe, where they billeted on a large farm, with two companies in barns and the rest in tents. On the 3rd, they marched another 14 miles to Watou. On the 4th, Captain Smythe was sent to the hospital, and Captain W. Allen took over his duties. By the 5th, the battalion had been reduced to fighting strength, with several officers and ORs sent to a reinforcement camp. On the 6th, they moved by bus to Vlamertinghe, where they began preparations for the upcoming assault.
The 7th saw the battalion's CO reconnoitre the front near Passchendaele, and reconnaissance parties were sent forward to scout the route to the front. Meanwhile, A Company moved to Potijze. On the 8th, the battalion gathered equipment, including grenades and sandbags, and began the march to the assembly positions. However, continuous rain turned the ground into a muddy quagmire, delaying progress. The battalion reached the assembly positions by 4:00 AM on the 9th, exhausted and barely ready for the attack.
At 5:25 AM on the 9th, the attack began. The battalion faced immediate difficulties as they tried to cross the Ravebeek stream, which was waist-deep in places. A Company managed to cross and secure their objective, but C and D Companies struggled with heavy machine gun fire. The weak, friendly artillery barrage failed to neutralize enemy positions, allowing the Germans to remain entrenched in pillboxes, which caused further delays. Despite the obstacles, A and D Companies advanced, with A Company digging in at their objective. By the evening, the battalion successfully held its positions, fending off a counterattack, but casualties were significant.
On the 10th, the battalion was relieved by a New Zealand battalion and marched back to Vlamertinghe, where they arrived around 5:00 AM, exhausted. Casualties from the battle included numerous wounded and missing men. The remainder of the next days was spent recovering and reorganizing, with the battalion suffering from trench foot, which hindered their mobility and readiness for further action.
Ernest John Wilson, around age 19, was Killed In Action on the 9th of Octobre 1917. His body was initially buried near “Berlin Wood”, Passchendaele at 28.D.10.d.20.30. Later, his remains were exhumed and interred at The Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot XIV, Row B, Grave 14.