Charles Alfred Beard

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photo source: Bob the Greenacre Cat, FindaGrave.com

Charles Alfred Beard was born on the 27th of May 1908 and was baptised on the 14th of June 1908 at Christ Church, Camberwell, Southwark. He was the son of Charles Alfred & Mary Ann Beard (née Vickers) who had married in the Christ Church on the 2nd of July 1905.

The first time we see Charles Alfred Jnr. with his family is on the 1911 census, and the family are living at 154, Southampton Street, Camberwell. This is the first census that the householder fills in the census form and tells us more of the family. Charles Beard Snr, worked as a Master Greengrocer and was born in Princes Square, Lambeth. Their children were Annie Rose Beard, 4; Charles Alfred Beard, 2; and William George Beard, 1 and they had been born in Camberwell. Charles Beard Snr's mother, Hannah Beard was recorded as a visitor in the household. She had had 9 children born, but only 4 surviving.

The 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, sees the family living at 126H, Queen’s Buildings, Southwark and the family had grown. Charles Beard Snr was now working as a Carman.  Their children were: Annie Rose Beard, age 14 years; Charles Alfred Beard, 13 years; William George Beard, 11; Edgar Thomas Beard, 9; Harry Beard, 3; and Daniel George, aged 1. They would have three more children, Nellie, Florence and Albert Beard.

Charles Alfred Beard Jnr. met and married Rose Jarman. Their marriage was in the Church of St. George the Martyr, Southwark on the 28th of January 1934. Charles Beard Jnr was now aged 25 years and working as a Painter. His address on the marriage certificate was recorded as 161J, Queens Buildings S.E.1, as was that for his wife, Rose.

They are next seen on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939 and they are living at Block B 25 Queens Buildings, Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark. Charles Beard is head of the household and is working as a house decorator and Rose was doing unpaid domestic duties. There was a redacted or ‘Closed’ record, which could be the daughter who is mentioned on his CWGC gravestone inscription.

Sadly, I have no information on Charles Beard, neither his early or teen years, and I do not know when Charles Alfred Beard was to enlist or was conscripted. But he was to find himself transferred from the General Service Corps on the 30th of December 1942 and then transferred to the Dorset Regiment on the 17th of February 1944. On D-Day he laid down his life for our freedom.

He served with the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment which landed on Gold Beach on D-Day. The British Army Casualty lists records him as having died of wounds. He was first buried at Asnelles-sur-Mer and then reburied on the 14th of November 1944 at Bayeux British Cemetery, where he now lies. I believe that Rose Beard was to die in 1993 - a death is recorded for Rose Beard in the Lewisham district with a birthdate of the 31st of May 1906, which is Rose’s birthdate.

Rose’s inscription on his Gravestone tells us all we need to know about their lives: -

IN MEMORY OF
MY BELOVED HUSBAND
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
DEVOTED WIFE & DAUGHTER

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Charles Beard. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Charles, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.