James Gordon Beard
Born 10 Jun 1918 - Died 2 Nov 1942
- Service number
- WWII 21135 AWMM
- Also known as
- —
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
- Bombardier/Military AWMM New Zealand Artillery, 5 Field Regiment AWMM
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
- —
- Forenames
- James Gordon AWMM
- Surname
- Beard AWMM
- Ingoa
- —
- Also known as
- —
- Service number
- WWII 21135 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
- —
Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 10 Jun 1918 AWMM
- Date of birth
- —
- Place of birth
- —
- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 20 Collingwood Street, Napier, New Zealand AWMM
- Post war occupation
- —
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mr W. Beard (brother), 20 Collingwood Street, Napier, New Zealand AWMM
- Relationship status
- Single AWMM
Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
- Western Desert AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 21135 AWMM
- Military service
- —
- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
- —
Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
18 Feb 1943 AWMM
'Bombardier Beard was ammunition bombardier of 28 Battery at MINQA QAIM, Egypt, on 27 June 1942 and carried out his duties all day under heavy shellfire. When one of his ammunition trucks received a direct hit and caught fire, seriously endangering other ammunition vehicles in the vicinity, Bombardier Beard in spite of having been wounded and without regard for his personal safety mounted a motorcycle and directed all nearby vehicles to a position clear of danger from exploding shells from the burning truck. During the rest of the day he continued to direct and operate his ammunition vehicles right up to the guns with the utmost zeal. His conduct and work then and later were of the highest order and his tireless efforts to supply the guns at all time of the day and night were of the utmost assistance to the Battery during action, especially during mobile operations.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Beard, James Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/23/234). Military Medal. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
- —
- Enlistment
- WW2 Labourer/Civilian AWMM
- Age on enlistment
- —
- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Gunner/Military AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Second Echelon AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
- Killed on Active Service, Cause of Death AWMM
Last known rank
- Last rank
- Bombardier/Military AWMM
New Zealand Artillery, 5 Field Regiment AWMM - Last rank
- —
Biographical information
- James Beard was the son of Frederick Bennett Beard and of Kathrine Beard (nee Doring), of Wellington, New Zealand. Mother's maiden name incorrectly spelt as Doran on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.
Bombardier J. G. Beard, MM; born NZ 10 Jun 1918; labourer; killed in action 2 Nov 1942. (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p.325.)
'The 5 Brigade area, which had seemed in the beginning most vulnerable to attack, was never directly threatened; but it suffered heavy shelling, directed mainly at the 5th Field guns. The gun positions had little or no protection and inevitably some guns and vehicles were hit. One gun, under Sergeant Hoare, suffered damage and its trailer and ammunition were set on fire. Hoare rallied his men, put out the fire, and started to repair the gun. The shelling continued and he was forced to withdraw until it abated. Then he went back and brought the gun into action again. Bombardier Beard of 28 Battery was wounded, but stayed with his men. A lorry was set on fire and ammunition on it kept exploding, endangering nearby lorries. Beard collected some gunners and with them unloaded ammunition from these other lorries, regardless of the violent explosions close at hand. For the rest of the day he was tireless and selfless in his determination to keep the guns supplied with ammunition. Both Hoare and Beard were awarded the MM.' (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p. 325.) AWMM
About death
- Death
- 2 Nov 1942 AWMM
Age 24 AWMM - Date of death
- —
- Age at death
- —
- Place of death
- —
- Cause of death
- Killed on Active Service AWMM
- Death notes
- —
- Cemetery
- El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM I. C. 22. AWMM
- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period May 1942 to October 1942.' (London Gazette, 18 February 1943, p.866.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35908/supplements/866
Further Reference - 'Bombardier Beard was ammunition bombardier of 28 Battery at MINQA QAIM, Egypt, on 27 June 1942 and carried out his duties all day under heavy shellfire. When one of his ammunition trucks received a direct hit and caught fire, seriously endangering other ammunition vehicles in the vicinity, Bombardier Beard in spite of having been wounded and without regard for his personal safety mounted a motorcycle and directed all nearby vehicles to a position clear of danger from exploding shells from the burning truck. During the rest of the day he continued to direct and operate his ammunition vehicles right up to the guns with the utmost zeal. His conduct and work then and later were of the highest order and his tireless efforts to supply the guns at all time of the day and night were of the utmost assistance to the Battery during action, especially during mobile operations.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Beard, James Gordon. (Ref. WO 373/23/234). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7360442
Further Reference - Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2092236
Sources Used - Murphy, W. (1966). 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Arti.html
Further Reference
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period May 1942 to October 1942.' (London Gazette, 18 February 1943, p.866.). Military Medal.
- References
- Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals.
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
WW2 2: WW2 15 - Murphy, W. (1966). 2nd New Zealand Divisional Artillery. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
p.325. - New Zealand Gazette
MM. New Zealand Gazette, 21 September 1944, p. 1146
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