Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harald Lionel Beaumont was born on the 5th August 1894 in Skovby, Aeroskobing, Denmark. His parents, Josef Madgen Hansen and Karen Hansen christened him Hans Anderson Hansen. His father died when Harald was young and his mother was poor and unable to care for him, sending him to live with his Uncle, Christian Jensen. Harald trained as a sailor in Denmark and on the 6th January 1913 he arrived in Port Adelaide, South Australia, on the ship West Lothian, via Buenos Aires, South America.

He obtained employment in Kapunda, South Austraila, where he remained for one year, he then worked in Port Pirie, South Australia for 5 months, Annadale Station near Birdsville, Queensland, for nine months before returning to Port Pirie. He was living at Alexander Street, Port Pirie when he applied for Naturalization on the 26th April 1915. Accompanying his papers he also requested that his application be processed quickly as he would be accepted as a candidate in the Military Expeditionary Forces on presentation of his Naturalization Papers.

Harald enlisted at Keswick, South Australia, on the 2nd June 1915 and was described as being 5' 7" in height, fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. He was single and listed his NOK as his uncle, Christian Jensen who lived in his home town of Skovby, Denmark.

He was initially placed with G Group Base Infantry and on the 25th June he joined the 9th/16th Infantry Battalion. While awaiting embarkation at Mitcham Camp, South Australia, on the 20th August he went AWOL and along with at least one other soldier was involved in an incident at a residence on South Terrace, Adelaide. He was found guilty of drunkenness and riotous behaviour and received a fine. On return to the camp the next day he also forfeited a days pay for being AWOL.

Harald and his unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on the 21st September 1915 on board the ship HMAT A15 Star of England. While on route to Egypt Harald was treated in the ship's hospital for Gonorrhoea.

On the 4th November the unit departed Alexandria, Egypt, on board the ship HS Minnewaska and disembarked at Gallipoli on the 13th November where they remained until the withdrawl in December, returning to Alexandria via Mudros on board the HMT Ascanius on the 30th December 1915. Harald remained based in Egypt for several months and was admitted to hospital on numerous occasions suffering from Scabies. He also forfeited one days pay (on the 17th May 1916) for improper conduct in ranks when marching at attention and for talking in ranks.

He finally embarked from Alexindria on the 1st June 1916 on board HMT Canada disembarking in Marseilles, France on the 9th June. The 4th Division, 16th Battalion was involved in battle at Mouquet Farm attacking on the nights of the 27th and 29th August. Harald was injured suffering multiple gunshot wounds to his face, both legs, left arm and abdomen. On the 30th August he was admitted to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station, the next day he was transferred to the 13th Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, France, where he had surgery for a total right leg amputation. On the 4th September he embarked on the ship HS St David for England. On arrival he was admitted to Edmonton Military Hospital, Silver Street, Upper Edmonton, London. Harald developed Septicemia and died on the 25th September 1916.

On the 2nd September 1916 Harald was recommended for a Military Medal. The London Gazette dated the 8th December 1916 stated "His Majesty, The King, has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal fro bravery in the Field to the undermentioned soldier No. 2778 Private Harold Lionel Beaumont". The Commonwealth Gazette No. 62 dated the 19th April 1917 stated "When D Company was withdrawn from the attack on point 54 to the north of Pozieres, on the night of 29th/30th August 1916 this man who had gone out with an attacking party in charge of a Lewis gun, successively and without orders occupied positions covering the retirement of his Company. When the Company retired in the first instance they were hotly pressed by the enemy, and this man's cool deliberation in establishing himself without assistance with his Lewis gun in the manner indicated was greatly instrumental in checking the counter attack by the enemy".

Harald was initially buried at Heroes Corner Grave No 7338 Tottenham Cemetery, Middlesex, London but at some stage his body was exhumed and re-interred into Grave No 7322. Grave No 7322 is a public or common grave which due to the existence of other bodies buried in the same grave the cemetery does not allow headstones to be errected. 

Private Harald Beaumont has his name in the screen wall at Tottenham Cemetery but has not been allowed the honour of commemorating his sacrifice and existence with a headstone.

He was awarded the Military Medal, 1914/15 Star, British Medal and Victory Medal.

"THE LATE PRIVATE H. L. BEAUMONT.

Private Harold Lionel Beaumont was born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1888. He came to Australia in 1913, and was employed at Port Pirie. He saw service on Gallipoli, where he was wounded, Even tually he was transferred to France, where he was again wounded. He died as the result of his wounds on September 25, 1916. In his last letter to Mr. J. Hansen, of St. Peters, he said he hoped it would not be long before he was again in sunny Australia. Sergeant Norman Watts, of Littlehampton, a brother-in-law of Mr. Hansen, now serving in France, stated in a recent letter that Private Beaumont was a splendid soldier, and a real good comrade. They had been constant companions since Private Beaumont landed on Gallipoli. The parents of Private Beaumont reside in Copenhagen." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 28 Oct 1916 (nla.gov.au)