A most poignant family group to father and son:

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant A. W. Beasley, 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 14 August 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (12 Sjt., 1/4 R. Berks. R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (12 Sjt., R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Albert William Beasley); original card boxes of issue for M.M., B.W.M. and Victory Medals; and a silver cased pocket watch

Six: Lieutenant P. G. D. Beasley, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star, with Pacific bar; Defence and War Medals; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Ty. Lieut., R.N.V.R.) small erasure after surname, generally nearly extremely fine (11) £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

Albert William Beasley was killed in action on 14 August 1916 whilst serving with the 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The following original documentation is included with the lot:

a) Pocket diary for the year 1915, most days with one or two line entries, including the following: ‘2 April 1915, Inspected by General Smith-Dorrien; 8 April 1915, Proceeded to trenches 1/2 mile from Messines. Germans 250-300 yards away; 9 April 1915, Went out wiring at night. Exciting, nearly hit by a flare; 8 May 1915, Big day tomorrow! I learn that we missed Hill 60 by about 15 minutes!; 9 May 1915, Incessant bombardment of German trenches and replies, 4 casualties. Hell; 9 August 1915, Terrific storm. Water knee deep. Thunder and lightning awe inspiring. Baling out all night; 25 August 1915, 14 of No. 2 knocked out by shell in “Brickfields”. Buried in H at 4pm. Proceeded to trenches.’

b) Letter written to his son, Peter (whose medals are included in the lot), dated Nov. 1914: ‘My Own Sonny, This is your first birthday and I am writing a letter which your mother will put by for you to read when you are old enough to understand. I want to tell you to grow up and love your mother, to respect and protect her. A boy, Sonny, only has one mother, and if he is guided by such a woman as your mother he will never go far wrong.

Your father is doing his duty as an Englishman, although patriotism is making big demands on our self-sacrificing qualities just now. So in case anything should happen to your father now I leave Mummy to you. Grow up Sonny, to be a man of whom Mummy will be proud and always regard womanhood as sacred. Never forget, Peter, that your own mother is a woman and so keep your life and record clean.

When this war is over I hope to rejoin your mother and you and then you and I will be pals Sonny, wont we? You have our united wishes for a happy, prosperous and clean life. This to some extent will depend on yourself, so look to it my boy. Your loving father.’

c) Another similar letter written by recipient to his son on his second birthday.

d) A typescript copy of a letter describing in some detail his participation as part of the Guard of Honour at King Edward VII funeral in 1910.

e) Four newspaper cuttings regarding recipient, one including a photograph of him: ‘The deepest regret will be felt in Reading and also in the Berkshire Regiment at the death of Second Lieutenant A. W. Beasley, killed in action. It was only on April 30, that he received his commission from the ranks of the battalion, he being at that time Sergeant and Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant... Lieutenant R. J. Clarke, writing to Mrs Beasley said: “I cannot tell you how sorry I am for you. I send you my deepest sympathy. Your husband died the noblest death a soldier can die - at the head of his men as he led his way forward. No Subaltern could do his work better or take more interest in his work, for he was always thinking of his platoon and what to do for them. Trusted in all he did he was a true comrade and a gallant officer, and the battalion mourn their loss.’

f) Six original photographs, comprising, three group photographs of Beasley in uniform and one of him with his wife; together with two photographs of King George V and Queen Mary presenting the Military Medal to his widow and young son.

g) A quantity of original documentation and photographs relating to Lieutenant Peter G. D. Beasley, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.