Pte
Leslie Charles Edwin 'Snowy' Beard
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1896 |
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Place of birth: St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Last known residence: 15 Rowan Street, Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia |
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Profession: Fruit Grower |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 1717 |
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Enlistment date: 04/01/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 20/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Carlisle Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 21 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LIX Row: C Grave: 39 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Leslie Charles Edwin Beard, a former fruiterer, was born in 1896 in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, as the son of John and Elizabeth Lillian Sincock. On January 4th, 1915, he enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria, and served as a Private in the 8th Battalion, part of the 2nd Australian Brigade of the 1st Australian Division.
On September 20th, 1917, the 2nd Brigade took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. Positioned in front of Glencorse Wood, alongside the 3rd Brigade on its left, their objective was to push the line deep into Polygon Wood. The 6th Battalion led the attack with the 5th in support, after which the 7th and 8th Battalions would pass through to capture the final objective. The offensive began at 5:40 a.m. and initially progressed smoothly: threats were quickly neutralised, and pillboxes were cleared.
Upon consolidation of the second objective, the artillery barrage lifted slightly, allowing heavy enemy machine-gun fire from Black Watch Corner. This was dealt with, enabling the 7th and 8th Battalions to move forward. However, friendly-fire became a threat when the barrage shifted back. The men were forced to retreat to the second objective line. One 18-pounder gun continuously fired short, further contributing to friendly-fire casualties. When the barrage paused for two hours, the attack resumed. The 7th and 8th Battalions then successfully extended the line to the final objective, clearing the remaining pillboxes that had caused heavy losses.
Leslie, also known as 'Les' and 'Snowy', aged 21, was killed in action near Zillebeke Farm that day. He became a casualty of friendly-fire from the same 18-pounder gun, which fired into a shell hole where he and others had taken cover. Private Leslie Charles Edwin Beard is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LIX, Row C, Grave 39.
On September 20th, 1917, the 2nd Brigade took part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. Positioned in front of Glencorse Wood, alongside the 3rd Brigade on its left, their objective was to push the line deep into Polygon Wood. The 6th Battalion led the attack with the 5th in support, after which the 7th and 8th Battalions would pass through to capture the final objective. The offensive began at 5:40 a.m. and initially progressed smoothly: threats were quickly neutralised, and pillboxes were cleared.
Upon consolidation of the second objective, the artillery barrage lifted slightly, allowing heavy enemy machine-gun fire from Black Watch Corner. This was dealt with, enabling the 7th and 8th Battalions to move forward. However, friendly-fire became a threat when the barrage shifted back. The men were forced to retreat to the second objective line. One 18-pounder gun continuously fired short, further contributing to friendly-fire casualties. When the barrage paused for two hours, the attack resumed. The 7th and 8th Battalions then successfully extended the line to the final objective, clearing the remaining pillboxes that had caused heavy losses.
Leslie, also known as 'Les' and 'Snowy', aged 21, was killed in action near Zillebeke Farm that day. He became a casualty of friendly-fire from the same 18-pounder gun, which fired into a shell hole where he and others had taken cover. Private Leslie Charles Edwin Beard is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LIX, Row C, Grave 39.
Sources 7
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"AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES." (Melbourne, Argus, 01/04/1916). https://trove.nla.gov.au Sources used |
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"VICTORIA." (Adelaide, Daily Herald, 14/09/1915). https://trove.nla.gov.au Sources used |
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Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), RCDIG1064166). https://www.awm.gov.au Sources used |
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AWM4 Class 23 – Infantry (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23). https://www.awm.gov.au Sources used |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, BEARD L C E). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 2018), 80-81. Sources used |
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Unit embarkation nominal rolls, 1914-18 War (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM8). https://www.awm.gov.au Sources used |
More information 4
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=fa9d4f0b-81d9-4b71-95a2-b9bbaea6b392 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7354343 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=17457 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461884 |