Frederick Beale

Story:
Frederick Beale was born in East Knoyle, Wiltshire, during 1893 the son of Henry Beale, an Estate Woodman, and Edna Kate Beale (nee Merchant).  He lived all his life apart from Military Service in East Knoyle.   His mother died in 1911. He had enlisted on 11 Dec 1915 and joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 23589).  He served in France and Flanders with the 5th Battalion who were mainly based in the Arras area at that time.  He received severe gun shot wounds to the left thigh necessitating an amputation plus damage to the elbow joint.  He was discharged as being unfit for further service on 13 Jun 1917 and awarded the Silver War Badge No. 193140 as well as a pension for life.  He was also awarded the Victory and British War Medals.   The 1921 Census shows him boarding out in Milton, East Knoyle, described as having no occupation but being a disabled army pensioner. Regrettably he died locally in 1924.   His brother, Walter Beale, had also served in the conflict and he too died early in 1921 two years after his discharge.