Horace William Bedworth

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

Horace William Bedworth was born on the 18th of February 1921, according to the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939. He was the son of George & Mary Ann (Polly) Bedworth (née Seville) who had married in the September quarter of 1914 in the Walsall Registration District.

So, we see Horace Bedworth for the first time on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, living at 14, Penkridge Street, Walsall, Staffordshire. George Bedworth is head of the household, aged 31 years, born in Walsall as were all the family. He was an Iron Caster for Messrs. Kirkpatrick Ltd., Frederick Street, Walsall. His wife, Polly Bedworth was aged 27 years and doing Home Duties. Their children were Polly Bedworth, 8 years and 7 months old, Doris Bedworth, 6 years and 7 months old, Winifred Bedworth, 4 years and 3 months old and Horace William Bedworth, 4 months old. Five years later, the family were to suffer the loss of their daughter Winifred Bedworth, aged 9 years, in the November of 1926.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, shows that Horace Bedworth was working as a ‘Mopper & Bobber’ (Heavy Work). A mopper, aka Grease Mopper, was a polisher who used a mop of calico or other fabric, dressed with abrasive or polishing composition or grease and aBobber, aka buffer, was a buffing machinist, who removed surface irregularities and polished metal articles by holding them against a power-driven revolving wheel, the edge of which was covered with cloth or leather and sprinkled with abrasive powder or polishing compound.

Sadly, I have no information on Horace Bedworth, neither his early or teen years and I do not know when he was to enlist or was conscripted but he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.

He was serving with 47 (Royal Marine) Commando and landed on Gold Beach on D-Day. They were tasked with capturing the fishing port of Port-en-Bessin. 47 Commando suffered severe losses. Most were killed as they landed as some of the landing craft were either hit by German shells or were impaled on the beach obstacles and sank.

Horace Bedworth was recorded as having been killed in action and he was initially buried in Ver-sur-Mer. He was reburied on the 30th of November 1944 at Bayeux British Cemetery, where he now lies.

George & Mary Ann (Polly) Bedworth were devasted by the loss of Horace William. Notices were posted in the Walsall Observer on the 22nd of July 1944, the 5th of August 1944 and the following year, on the 9th of June 1945, from his parents and other members of his family, siblings, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. He was well loved.

L-R: Wallsall Observer 22 July 1944; 05 August 1944; 09 June 1945

 

A few years later the family were to suffer a great loss again, when their daughter, Iris Edna Bedworth, was to die in the September of 1949, aged 22 years.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

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