Photo: Brian Chandler
Medal Index Card
In Tynemouth (Preston) cemetery is a family headstone which reads:
Loving memory of
Sarah
Dearly beloved wife of
William Bean
Died Jan. 4th 1922
In her 69th year.
Also of the above
William Bean
Who died Octr. 1st 1934
Aged 83 years
Also of their eldest son
John Thomas Bean
Killed in action on Hill 60
April 17th 1915 aged 42 years
Also their daughter
Sarah R. Bean
Died Jan. 21st 1943
Aged 65 years
Mary Annie Bean
Their eldest daughter
Died June 21st 1963
Aged 87 years.
Peace perfect peace.
John Thomas was born on the 25th December 1872 in North Shields, he was the eldest son of William Bean of 72 Howdon Road, North Shields, a Fruiterer, and his wife Sarah.
In 1881, the family were living at 155 Stephenson Street, Tynemouth, with other families called Richardson, Robson as well as a Dawson all at the same address. A total of thirteen occupants were residing at this address.
He was educated at the Council School at North Shields, then he worked as a general Labourer. In 1891 the family had moved to 52 Little Bedford street in North Shields.
John enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles on the 20th October 1892.
Served 10 years in India, and on his return he took his discharge on the 19th October 1904. John then worked as a Miner.
He married on the 1st September 1907, at North Shields, Mary (33 Eastern Terrace, East Howdon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne), daughter of John Gardner Allen, of Ringwood, near Devon. They had one daughter Doris Redford Bean, born 23rd October 1908.
On the outbreak of war, John enlisted with the 3rd (Training) Battalion of The Buffs at Shepherdswell, near Dover in Kent, on the 26th August 1914.
On the 24th November 1914, John was confined to Barracks and forfeited 7 days pay for breaking out of his Barracks in Dover for 21 and half hours.!
He arrived in France and Flanders on the 14th January 1915, and had been posted to the 2nd Battalion on the 2nd January, on the 17th January 1915 he moved up to the front, and was killed in the 2nd Battle of Ypres being shot in the abdomen on the 23rd April.
Mrs Bean his widow, was awarded a pension of 17/6d from the 15th November 1915.
By 1918, Mrs Bean had moved to 3 Osbourne Cottages, Church Lane, Sholdon, Deal in Kent. In 1919 she resided at The Bungalows, Great Mongeham (Kent).
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
John Thomas Bean is remembered in Tynemouth in T36.14
John Thomas Bean Family History
Coldred War Memorial
Kent Fallen
The CWGC entry for Private Bean
