15/1338.Private T.Beaumont

The Soldiers
15/1338.Private T. Beaumont
15/1338.Private T.Beaumont at the time of service with the Machine Gun Corps.	Born Leeds 1899 Killed in Action 27/3/1918. Aged 19.
	Thomas Beaumont was one of three children born to Fred and Emma Beaumont of 12, Stafford Street, Hunslet, Leeds. He was 15 years old and working as a clerk with his father at Dobson and Hargreaves blanket manufacturers of Goodman Street, Hunslet, when he enlisted (underage). After being posted to 7 platoon, ‘B’ Company, he served with the Pals in Colsterdale, Egypt and France. In early 1916 Thomas was sent on a machine gun instruction course and afterwards placed with the Pals Machine Gun Section. On the 1^st of July when the Pals attacked Serre he was wounded and hospitalised in France. In December 1916 after recovering from his wounds he was transferred to the 35^th Battalion of the newly formed Machine Gun Corps, serving with this unit until March 1918 when he was listed as missing (later confirmed) killed in action. Having no known grave he is commemorated on the Poziers Memorial, France.
Thomas’s older Brother Harry served throughout the War with the British Army and survived. His only son Sydney Osborne Beaumont served with the 1^st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in the 2^nd World War and after capture by the Japanese died in captivity aged 23.
Fred Beaumont with his 3 children. Harold (left), Ethel (right) and Thomas (seated)	Thomas ( age 12 ) and his sister Ethel
*With thanks to Thomas and Harry’s nephew’s for providing us with the family background, and donating documents and photographs.*