Richard Stewart Beale (1918-1940)

Richard Stewart Beale (1918-1940) 

Second World War Roll of Honour

Richard Stewart (“Dick”) Beale was born at Egerton, Kent on 9 June 1918, the eldest son of Charles Edward Stewart Beale, Suez Canal pilot, and Daisy Mary of Ismailia in Egypt. He was educated at the Junior King's School, Canterbury from September 1926 and at the King’s School from January 1932 to July 1936. He was a member of the 1^st cricket XI in 1935 and 1936 and was awarded boxing colours in 1936. He matriculated at Downing College in October 1936, studying Law, and represented the College at cricket and hockey. He graduated in 1939, just before being called up for military service.

On the outbreak of war, Richard joined the Royal Artillery and rose to the rank of Lance Bombardier before being posted for officer training to the 133^rd Officer Cadet Training Unit, Royal Artillery based at Shrivenham. He was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 6 April 1940 and was posted to the 57^th (King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment where he commanded a section of guns based at Woolston near Southampton, defending the Supermarine Spitfire factory.

At 1.50pm on 26 September 1940 the Luftwaffe launched a major attack against the Supermarine works at Woolston, with a force estimated to be made up of 18 Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter bombers with Messerschmitt 109 fighters escorting them. They hit the factory six times, causing damage to the workshops, a warehouse, a gas works and a wood yard. They also made a direct hit on a shelter containing workers from the factory and caused severe damage to the nearby village of Itchen Ferry. Although production was affected for a time while repairs were made the factory soon returned to full production.

There were ninety-eight casualties of the attack, with many more injured. Amongst the wounded were Richard Beale and one of his Gunners, whose battery had engaged the raiders. Beale died of his wounds in hospital later that day. The Downing College magazine, ‘The Griffin’, wrote of him: "Never academically prominent in the College, he distinguished himself in games, being not only a hockey colour but also the mainstay of the cricket team as a fast bowler. Dick's cheerful, equable temperament and his colourful clothes might have led the casual observer to believe him easy-going, even happy-go-lucky. But no one who saw him plugging away, over after over, giving his best, no matter the state of the game, would have thought him lacking in those qualities of dash and determination which we usually call "guts" for short. His untimely death on active service will leave all his acquaintances the sadder for the loss of a most pleasant personality and a staunch friend."     

2^nd Lieutenant Beale died of wounds on 26 September 1940, aged 22. He is buried at Netley Military Cemetery and is also commemorated on the war memorial at the King's School, Canterbury.

Sources

King’s School Canterbury archives   

TNA – 57th LAA Regiment War Diaries WO 166/2730

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