Richard Beattie
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Liverpool, England |
| Death | 24 Nov 1957, aged 88 |
| Place of Death | North Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 48 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5' 9" (1.75m) tall; weight 115 lbs (52.2 kg); dark complexion, brown eyes, dark hair |
| Occupation | loco driver / brickmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | William street, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Annie Beattie |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5990 |
| Date of Enlistment | 27 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 19th Reinforcement |
| Date of Embarkation | 7 Aug 1916 - 24 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Date of Return | 23 May 1917 - 9 Jul 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A33 Ayrshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (Health) |
| Monument |
Armadale (Armadale panel) Armadale Congregational Church Honour Board |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
While local records spelt his surname Beatty, all Military Records and his signature are Beattie.
War Service
At the time of his enlistment Richard was unemployed, and he gave his age as 38 years and 2 months, married missing the little finger on his right hand. However, he was 10 years older (48) than declared - He had put his age down in order to enlist. R Beattie is declared fit for service.[1]
Following a period in England, Richard went to France on 4 Dec 1916 aboard the HMT Princess Victoria joining the 11th Battalion on 26 Dec 1916. Employed on working parties at Mametz camp before becoming ill and entering hospital on 11 Jan 1917. Evacuated to England on HMHS Grantully Castle on the 24th Jan 1917, and admitted to Couthwaite Military Hospital in Southwark. On recovering he was transferred to Perham Downs (where he went before a Medical Board) and Weymouth depots before being invalided home on 23 May 1917. Following assessment at No 8 Australian General Hospital in Fremantle, he was discharged as unfit (overage and rheumatism in left arm) at 5th MD on 28 Jul 1917.
"Enlisted 27th March, 1916, 19th Reinforcements of the 11th (now 51st) Battalion; sailed 9th August. Camped for some time at Salisbury Plains; now gone to the front."[2]
Post War
Electoral Roll entries include: 1910 labourer in Yarloop with wife Annie; 1916 he is at Beris near Mt Margaret; the 1916 Post Office Directory has him in Armadale at the Pottery works; 1925 entry has them at 545 Fitzgerald street, Balcatta with his occupation still 'soldier', ditto 1937 & 1943 - probably a pensioner as was 65 in 1934.
Notes
Some records (e.g. AIF Website) show him as wining the Military Cross. However this is incorrect - Ebenezer Beattie (18th Battalion) and Robert Beattie (Lt in 11th Battalion) were the only winners with this surname. Confusion is with Robert.