Albert Beardsall
Private 4080490 South Wales Borderers
3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment
Enlistment : March 1940
Killed in Action 17 August 1944 : Aged 27
BANNEVILLE-LA-CAMPAGNE XV C 14
Private 4080490 Albert Beardsall was born 17th October 1916 in Huthwaite. He was given his fathers name, so it was the senior Mr Albert Beardsall from Nottingham who found employment as a coal miner in Hucknall Huthwaite, as well as a wife. Marriage Q4 1896 with Miss Selina Stones from Station Road, is same 1901 address aside Wrights Yard to start their own family.
Huthwaite 1911 census addresses another two children rehoused at their future 63 Main Street, where Mr Beardsall had begun manufacturing confectionery. Listing that fullest household headed by Albert 35, housewife Selina 37, is then mothering Selina 14, Frank Albert 10, Francis 5 and Doris 2. Their youngest fifth child named Albert will likewise assist their family business.
Mr Albert Bearsdall junior is eventually identified as Sugar Confectionery Manufacturers Assistant by next available 1939 census aged 23. Parents are nearing retirement age. Youngest sister Doris is left helping Domestic Duties, while Albert might have been prepared to start taking over sweet shop production in rear yard outbuildings. World War Two conscription denied that chance.
Private 4080490 Albert Beardsall reportedly soldiered 18 months in Ireland before entering the North West European Theatre of War. He's acknowledged serving with the 3rd Monmouths. They crossed to France on 13th June 1944, following up the Allied invasion of Normandy. Pte A. Allsop was killed in action alongside more than several comrades that 17th August aged 26.
The death in action in North-West Europe is officially announced of Pte. Albert Beardsall, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Beardsall, of 63, Main Street, Huthwaite.
Born in Huthwaite, Pte. Beardsall, was a member of a family far long associated with the Huthwaite Parish Church. He went to the Blackwell Road School, and until he joined the Army in March, 1940, he had assisted his father in his business as a manufacturing confectioner. He would have been 27 next month. He had spent a year and a half in Ireland, and went to France just after "D" Day. He was in boyhood a member of the Parish Church choir, and on Sunday evening the Vicar (Rev. W.L. Boulton) made sympathetic reference to his death.
A letter from Pte. Beardsall's officer says: "He (Pte. Beardsall) was killed instantly and suffered no pain, during an attack on enemy rearguard position. He was a fine soldier, behaved most courageously, was always cheerful, and is sadly missed by myself and all his comrades here, who join me in sympathising most deeply with you in your great loss.
"He was buried in the corner of a pretty little orchard near here, and his brother soldiers erected a cross inscribed with his name, number and Regiment. They also placed some flowers from a neighbouring garden upon his grave."