BEESE, John

John Beese lived at 225 Pedmore Road, Woodside, Dudley and enlisted in the Worcesters. He was sent to the 3rd Battalion which went to the Western Front in 1914 and had seen much active front line fighting in the First and Second Battles of Ypres and on Vimy Ridge. The Worcesters were in the front line again for the 1916 Battle of the Somme. In the opening phase they fought to gain Ovillers and in the late August days attacked the Leipzig Salient, a strong fortification in front of Thiepval village. Another attack was made on the night of the 2/3rd September but without success. Losses were severe and included the Battalion Commander as well as Private John Beese who was killed inaction on the 3rd September. He is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery (I D 26), Authuille, and is commemorated on the Dudley and Woodside Memorials.