Virtual
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Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Jack Roland Stanley (Roland John) Beard was born on the 4th October 1890 at Norwood, son of Charles Robert Beard and Emily Jane, nee Bennett, the youngest of nine children. He was always known as Jack. He was educated with private tuition and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating in 1914. He then was a medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital.

Beard joined the AAMC on the 19th of May 1915. He was 24 years old single, 5ft 8ins tall, 10st 7lbs. He gave his widowed sister Olive, Mrs A W Hart c/o S R Page, Milne Terrace Moonta as his next of kin. He was commissioned in late June and sailed for the Middle East expecting to be posted to 2 AGH, but on arrival was posted to the Otago Inf Bn on Gallipoli. However, on 20th August, whilst still on the ship by Gallipoli, he suffered an acute attack of cholecystitis and was taken to Mudros in September and from there to 3 LGH in England with acute cholecystitis. He underwent surgery for gall stones in England, and was attached to 1 AAH at Harefield until March when a Medical Board declared him fit to return to Egypt. He was posted to 15 FdAmb, and went to France with the unit. During the Somme battles he had short attachments to 25 Howitzer Bde (Fromelles) and to 30 Bn. (Somme).  He was transferred to 14 FdAmb in January 1917, and again had several detachments to infantry Battalions. Beard was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry at Bullecourt in May 1917. The RAP was situated in a place subject to heavy enfilading artillery fire. On May 10th the RAP was blown in and he himself buried. Though badly shaken he refused to leave his post even for a short rest. On May 11th a stretcher case was being taken away when the enemy opened up a barrage and two of the stretcher bearers were wounded. Capt Beard at once ran out and brought in these two men without waiting for the barrage to cease. Before going to the Somme Beard was billeted in a family chateau (which was also a farm) and there met the 16 year old daughter, Andree. The family used the cellars during raids and Beard cared for wounded soldiers assisted by Andree. She was very helpful over the time of the battles and they became very close, so close, he told her family that he would marry her after the War. He was told to come back in 3 years as she was only 16.  Beard continued to serve with 53 Bn until the end of 1917 and was promoted Major in August. In March 1918 he took over command of 5 San Section, and later in the year was A/DDMS of 5 Div. relieving DADMS on leave. He embarked HT Pakeha as SMO for Australia 6th October 1919 and on arrival in Adelaide in November 1919 he resided with his sister at 77 Hill St, North Adelaide. His appointment was terminated 26th January 1920. He was issued with the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

After being discharged Beard returned to England and spent the next five years studying in the UK.  During this time he went to France to meet Andree, the girl from the cellar; they had continued a written correspondence with each other. They married on 15th November 1921 in Daours, Picardie, France. Her widowed mother supported them whilst he was studying in England and Andree took the baby to the family chateau whilst he studied. They returned to Australia and Beard became senior gynaecologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1941, and an Obstetrician at the Queen Victoria Hospital. He was also assistant to the Professor of Midwifery and Gynaecology in Birmingham, England. Jack Roland Stanley Beard of 1 Edwin Avenue, Collinswood died 1st January 1975, aged 84. He was survived by his wife and son Dr Roland Beard, an obstetrician and gynaecologist.

Sources:

http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/ItemDetail.aspx?Barcode=3061722

Likeman R, Gallipoli Doctors, Trojan Press, Melbourne Aust., 2010

Donald Beard family notes.

Photo: AWM E01672-1

Daily Herald Adelaide 24 March 1910