Richard Beynon – London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), 1st/8th Battalion

Rifleman Richard Beynon – London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), 1^st/8^th Battalion

Birth and Family Background

Philip Beynon and Elizabeth Hullin
marriage certifcate
All Saints Church, Oystermouth

Richard Beynon was born in 1883 in Mumbles, the son of Philip Beynon and Elizabeth Hullin, who were married in July 1873 at All Saints Church, Oystermouth. Philip, who was unable to write, signed the marriage register with an “X”.

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the family living at George Bank, Oystermouth. Richard’s mother, Elizabeth, then a 42-year-old widow, was supporting her family by working as a Laundress. Living with her were her four children: William G. (11), Richard (8), Lily (6), and Amelia (4).

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Clifton Terrace, Southend. Elizabeth, aged 52, remained employed as a Laundress, and several of her children were still at home. Rose (21) was also working as a Laundress, while William G. (20) and Richard (18) were both employed as Postmen. The younger daughters, Lily (16) and Amelia (14), were also living with the family.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census shows Elizabeth, now 63, still residing at 12 Clifton Terrace. Two of her children remained with her: Richard, aged 28, who was working as a Letter Carrier (Postman), and Amelia, aged 24, who was employed in domestic service.

Marriage

Richard Beynon and Minnie Kingdom
marriage certificate
St. Mary's Church

In March 1912, while living at 25 Park Place, Brynmill, Richard married Minnie Kingdon at St Mary’s Church.

Royal Mail Pension and Gratuity Records

Before the outbreak of war, Richard worked as a Postman for five years. Following his death, his widow Minnie received a pension, as recorded in the Royal Mail Pension and Gratuity Records.

Military Service

During the First World War, Rifleman Richard Beynon served with the London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), 1^st/8^th Battalion.

Death and Commemoration

Richard Beynon
Thiepval Memorial
credit -  findagrave

Richard was killed in action on 7^th October 1916, during the fighting on the Somme. At this time, the 1^st/8^th Battalion, London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) was operating in the devastated sector north-east of High Wood, close to Le Sars and Eaucourt l’Abbaye. The battalion was enduring severe German bombardment as it attempted to consolidate newly gained positions and repair repeatedly shattered trenches. Although not involved in a major attack on that specific day, the battalion faced constant and intense artillery fire, trench destruction, and sniper activity. These hazardous conditions led to numerous casualties throughout the battalion, and it was during this period of heavy shelling and frontline attrition that Rifleman Richard Beynon lost his life.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, the monument dedicated to the missing of the Somme.