William Charles Beynon - Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1/4th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Territorial Force

Second Lieutenant William Charles Beynon - Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1/4^th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Territorial Force
(Attached South Wales Borderers, 2^nd Battalion)

Birth and Family Background

William Charles Beynon

Enoch Beynon and Bessie Le Batt
marriage certificate
St. Mary's Church, Swansea

William Charles Beynon was born in 1888 in Swansea. He was the son of Enoch Beynon and Bessie Le Batt, who were married in 1882 at St. Mary’s Church, Swansea.

1891 Census

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were residing at 18 George Street, Swansea. Pembrokeshire-born Enoch Beynon (32) was employed as a cabinet maker’s salesman, and his Devon-born wife Bessie (29) managed the household. Their children were Beatrice M. (7), William C. (3), and Albert B. (1). A lodger, David S. Evans (32), was also present.

1901 Census

The family remained at the same address in the 1901 Census. Enoch, now 42, was described as a furniture salesman, and Bessie was 38. Their children were Beatrice Maude (17), Willie Charles (13), Albert Ben (11), Florence May (8), and Enid Aveline A. (5). A boarder, Reginald Henry Marlor (21), was also recorded in the household.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family were still residing at No. 18 George Street, Swansea. Enoch Beynon, aged 52, continued his employment as a salesman, while his wife Bessie, aged 48, remained at home. The children then living with them were William Charles (23), employed as a schoolmaster; Albert Benjamin (21), a railway clerk; Florence May (18), working as a laundry clerk; and Eric A. (15), who was still attending school.

Education and Civil Career

William pursued an academic career. He served as a schoolmaster at Brynmill School and later became Professor of Economics at Swansea Technical College, reflecting both his educational attainment and professional standing within Swansea.

Military Service

In November 1915, William joined the Royal Inns of Court Officer Training Corps. He was subsequently gazetted Second Lieutenant in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1/4^th (Denbighshire) Battalion, Territorial Force. He was later attached to the South Wales Borderers, 2nd Battalion, and served on the Western Front from February 1917.

On 23^rd April 1917, during the Battle of Arras, the 2nd Battalion was engaged in heavy fighting as British forces sought to press their advance east of Arras following the initial success of 9 April. The battalion was involved in attacks and in holding newly captured German trench systems under intense artillery bombardment. German counter-attacks, persistent machine-gun fire, and constant shelling made the area extremely dangerous, and casualties were frequent not only during assaults but also while consolidating positions and moving along exposed communication trenches. It was during this period of sustained and costly fighting that William was wounded.

Death and Burial

William died from his wounds on 4^th May 1917 at No. 41 Casualty Clearing Station. Casualty Clearing Stations formed a crucial link in the medical chain between the battlefield and the base hospitals on the Channel coast. By the time of the Arras Offensive, they were equipped with operating theatres and surgical teams capable of performing urgent procedures under pressure, often receiving men within hours of being wounded. That William reached No. 41 CCS indicates he had been evacuated from the front and received advanced treatment, but the severity of his injuries proved fatal.

Second Lieutenant William Charles Beynon is buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas-de-Calais, France, a cemetery closely associated with the nearby Casualty Clearing Stations serving the Arras sector.