BEER, William Leonard Carlton
| Service Number: | 4142 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 June 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Carlton, Kilkenny, South Australia, 23 March 1893 |
| Home Town: | Rosewater (Greytown), Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Port Adelaide Model School |
| Occupation: | Horse Driver/Naval Reservist |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Messines, Belgium, 13 June 1917, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery Plot 11, Row R, Grave 1 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ottoway Congregational Church Heroes of the Great War Honour Roll , Rosewater War Memorial, Rosewater Womens Memorial Roll of Honour WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4142, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd Depot Battalion, 'C' Company | |
| 1 Nov 1915: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 10th Infantry Battalion, 13th Reinforcements | |
| 11 Jan 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4142, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Jan 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4142, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Borda, Adelaide | |
| 26 Feb 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 50th Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 4th Pioneer Battalion | |
| 4 Jun 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4142, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Embarked 'Scotian' from Alexandria 4 JUN 1916, Disembarked at Marseilles 11 JUN 1916 | |
| 20 May 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Detached for duty with 2nd ANZAC School Water Supply Works (16 day course) | |
| 5 Jun 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Returns to Unit on completion of water supply course | |
| 13 Jun 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4142, 4th Pioneer Battalion, Battle of Messines, Killed in Action |
The Life of William Leonard Carlton Beer (by Faye Larsen 1997)
William (Bill) was the second son (of Andrew John & Elizabeth Ann Beer) born on the 28/3/1895 at Muldoona Street, Carlton, Kilkenny. His Father had just left prior to his birth for New Residence (in the Riverland of SA). His Mother and brother George lived at Carlton, Kilkenny at this time.
Some confusion reigns within the family as to Bill's correct third name, Carlton or Colton.
Bill must have considered it to be Colten, as he signed all his enlistment papers for the army as such, but his birth certificate sighted at the Hindmarsh Library shows it as Carlton. In correspondence to the War Department form his Father, he refers to it as Carlton also. One thought is that the name was given as the place that they lived at the time of his birth.
After his birth, at about end of April, his mother took George and he up to live at New Residence with their father, where they stayed till 1899.
The family was living in College Street, Port Adelaide when Bill started school which was on the 2/4/1900 at the Port Adelaide Primary School. He left school on the 5/9/1907 to go out to work.
Little is known of Bills working life, but on his Attestation paper on entering the army he wrote that was a horse driver by trade.
At the age of 16 1/2 he joined the Navy Reserve at Port Adelaide and was still serving at the time of his enlistment into the army.
On the 14/6/1915 (on the same day as his brother George), Bill enlisted into the A.I.F. at Keswick, aged 20 and 3/4 years, his service number being 4142.
On the 11/1/1916 Bill embarked from Adelaide aboard H.M.A.T. A30 BORDA and arrived at Tel el Kebir on 29/2/1916. He served in that location until 4/6/1916 when he left Alexandria bound Marseille, arriving there one week later on the 11/6/1916.
Just one year and two days later, on 13/06/1917, he was killed in Belgium, just across the France/Belgium border, by a high energy shell.
An account of Bill's death which came from Arthur Simpson's, great-uncle, (wild) Harry Parsons. He says that a load of ammunition was needed to be pushed further up to the front lines and the soldier assigned to the job refused to go, so Bill volunteered. It was then that he and his cargo took a direct hit from a high energy shell.
Bill was buried in St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, which is at Ploegsteert in Belgium, about two miles west of Messines.
Bill's plot there is No. 11, Row R, Grave 1
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
LEST WE FORGET
(Text copied from 'The Beer Family of Yatala Plains, South Australia, 1883-1997', Pages 42-43, Published by Faye Larsen, 1998, ISBN 0 646 35245 8)
Submitted 23 October 2016 by Richard Larsen
Description of William Leonard Carlton Beer on Enlistment
Age: 20 years 9 months
Height: 5 feet 10 1/2 inches
Weight: 182 lbs.
Chest Measurement: 36.5~38.5 in.
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown
Religious Denomination: Church of England
Distinctive Marks: Vision R 6/6 L 6/6
Vaccinations NIL
Tattoo Left Forearm
Car on Right Calf
Submitted 23 October 2016 by Richard Larsen
Biography
Embarkation Roll (www.awm.gov.au) has incorrectly spelled his third Christian name COLTON instead of CARLTON
Son of Andrew John BEER and Elizabeth Ann nee MOGG
Biography contributed by Modbury High School
William Leonard Carlton Beer, also known as “Bill”, was born on 23 March 1893 in Rosewater (Greytown), Port Adelaide Enfield, South Australia. He was the son of Andrew John Beer and Elizabeth Ann nee Mogg. Growing up in Rosewater, Bill attended the Port Adelaide Model School, where he received his education. After completing his education, he worked as a horse driver and was also a naval reservist.
On the 16th of June 1916, at the age of 23, Bill enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Keswick, South Australia. He was given the service number of 4142 which he would carry for the rest of his time in the army. Bill embarked on the ship HMAT Borda that left Adelaide on the 1st of November 1916 on his way over to the western front along with many other Australian soldiers.
Bill served in several battalions during his time in the AIF, including the 2nd Depot Battalion, the 10th Infantry Battalion, the 50th Infantry Battalion, and the 4th Pioneer Battalion. While on the Western Front, Bill partook in many well-known and important battles, such as the battle of Bullecourt and Messines. Bill left Adelaide in November 1916 but was likely involved in the later stages of the Battle of the Somme, since the 4th Pioneer Battalion was assigned there. During the battle of Somme and many other battles, Bill's main objective included trench construction and fortification, which was essential for the ongoing battle during the harsh winter months of the year.
One of the most important battles in which Bill served in was the Battle of Messines, which started on the 7th of June 1917. The 4th Pioneer Battalion had an important role in creating and repairing trenches and communication lines. Sadly, on the 13th of June 1917, Bill was killed in action in Belgium. It was unclear how he died but it was most likely that he died reinforcing positions under heavy shell fire from the enemy.
For his service, William Leonard Carlton Beer was awarded the British War Medal (No. 29354) and the Victory Medal (No. 29142) on 16 February 1923 after his death. These medals were awarded to recognize his contributions and sacrifices during World War One.
Bill was laid to rest at the St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery in Belgium. His grave is located in Plot 2, Row R, Grave 1. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains the upkeep of this cemetery, ensuring that William Leonard Colton Beer and his fellow soldiers are remembered with respect and Honor.
William Leonard Carlton Beer’s service and sacrifice are remembered through various memorials, including his grave at St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery in Belgium. His contributions to significant battles such as the Somme, Bullecourt, and Messines highlight the highly important role of the 4th Pioneer Battalion throughout the Great War. Bill’s legacy lives on through historical records, medals and his duty to his country. His service is an important reminder of the sacrifices made by so many men during World War One.
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