William Robert Beecroft

A Driver with 12th Battery, died on 23rd of October 1914 at the age of 29. 

William was born at Lowestoft on 29 August 1875, a son of William henry and Sarah Ann Beecroft. He was baptised at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 7 November 1875. In 1881 William's family lived at Prospect Place, 6 Saint Peter's Street, and by 1886 at Reeve Street. From 6 September 1886 William attended Saint Margaret's Boys' School. In 1891 William's family lived at The Black Swan Inn, Old Market Place, Lowestoft, where his father was the publican.

William was working as a painter when he joined the Army, at Lowestoft, on 7 August 1900. He saw active service in the Boer War with O2 Pom-Pom Section of the 19th Battery Royal Field Artillery and also served with the Royal Field Artillery Mounted Rifles. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps.

By 1911 William had joined the Army Reserve and resumed his work as a painter. At this time he lived with his family at 19 The Hemplands Lowestoft.

William would have been mobilized when the war began and he arrived in France with 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery on 6 October 1914. 

William's nephew, William Boardley, died in 1918.