Harry Beard

Harry Beard

Personal Information
Date of Birth	28 Sep 1907
Place of Birth	Derby, England
Death	21 May 1971, aged 63
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	32 years, 1 month
Description	5'8½" (1.74 m) tall ; 137lbs 62.142 kg ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair
Occupation	Bus driver
Religion	Congregational
Address	Ninth Avenue, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	wife , Mrs Myra Mary Elizabeth Beard
Military Information
Reg Number	7080
Date of Enlistment	14 Nov 1939
Rank	Flight Sergeant
Unit/Formation	No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia

Pre War

Warrants have been issued by the Gladstone Bench for the arrest of James Pither......... and Harry Beard, charged with absconding from their apprenticeships to Harold James Notley, at Gladstone on the 28th ultimo...…. Beard is 17 years of age, 5 feet 4 inches high, medium build, pale complexion, fair hair, small features; dressed in grey clothes (long trousers), a grey felt hat and brown boots. Both are Wards of the State. Complainant Harold James Notley, Belmore River, Gladstone.

Harry had attended the Long Eaton County Secondary School , leaving at age 14 years, 3 months. He emigrated from London for Australia on 3 Jan 1922 aboard the SS Largs Bay with father Henry A, mother May, and younger siblings Wilfred and Alan. Prior to enlisting, Harry had worked for the Armadale Bus Company for 4 ½ years. Harry married Myra Mary Elizabeth Smith on 14 Sep 1939.

Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1934 Wellard, farmer; 1936 - 1937 Seventh road Armadale, bus driver;

War Service

Enlisted 14 Nov 1939 as a Flight Mechanic. From 2 Jan 1940 until 28 Jan 1940 Harry was posted to the Training depot Laverton, Victoria. From 29 Jan until 10 April 1940 Harry attended training at the No. 1 School of Technical Training RAAF. Harry was promoted on 11 Apr 1940 to Fitter IIE, and was posted to No. 1 Engineering School RAAF, until 26 Jul 1940 when Harry had completed the No 31 Trainee Fitter II course, following which he was posted to No. 1 Service Flying Training School RAAF, at Point Cook. On 22 Sep 1940 he was moved again, to the No. 4 Service Flying Training School RAAF in Geraldton. Here on 1 Oct 1940 Harry was promoted to Leading Aircraftman. This was followed by promotion to Corporal on 1 Jan 1941, and Sergeant on 1 Feb 1942. Harry was promoted Temporary Flight Sergeant on 1 Nov 1942, with that rank confirmed on 1 Feb 1943.

After a lengthy stay in Geraldton, Harry was sent to the No. 4 Personnel Depot RAAF on 16 Jan 1945. On 18 Feb 1945 he was transferred to the No. 2 Reserve Personnel Pool. However the following day he was posted to the No. 8 Central Recovery Depot RAAF. On 15 Oct 1945 Harry again had a very brief stay with No. 2 Reserve Personnel Pool before being sent to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF on 22 Oct 1945. Harry was discharged on 19 Nov 1945.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Ninth avenue, Armadale, bus driver; 1954 - 1968 Forrest road, Armadale, bus driver

Myra died in Armadale on 10 Nov 2010, aged 95.