Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Walter Beedle was born in the 2nd quarter of 1881 in Capel to carter Mark and Caroline (nee Holloway). He was baptised on 8th May 1881 at St John’s church in Capel. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Rushett, Capel and Mark was working as a labourer.
Walter’s father Mark was born in the 4th quarter of 1845 to agricultural labourer James, born about 1810 and Rebecca, born about 1808, all in Newdigate. Mark was baptised on the 4th of January 1846 in Newdigate. His mother Caroline was born in the 3rd quarter of 1851 in Capel to labourer Edward and Hannah. Caroline was baptised on 7th September 1851 at St John’s Church. Walter and Caroline married on the 30th of April 1870 at St John’s Church. At the time of their marriage Walter was working as a labourer and Caroline was a domestic servant. The couple lived in Capel.
At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at Misbrooks, Capel. Mark was working as an agricultural labourer and Caroline was at home.
Walter Beedle had seven known siblings: Emma born about 1872; Caroline born about 1875; Edith born about 1877; Ellen born about 1879; Louisa born about 1883; William born about 1885 and Kate born about 1889, all in Capel.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the couple lived in Rushett, Capel. Mark was working as a carter and Caroline was at home looking after their children: Emma, Caroline, Edith, Ellen and Walter.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were still living at Rushett. Mark was still working as a carter and Caroline was at home. The household further comprised of their children: Ellen, Walter, Louisa, William and Kate.
At the time of the 1901 Census, Walter was a boarder of shopbroker’s agent Edward J. Pape at Grenehurst Stables in Capel, where he was working as a groom.
Walter married Alice Jane May Rapley on 14th June 1910 at St Nicholas’ Church, Cranleigh, Surrey. At the time of their marriage Walter was a gardener and lived at Much Hadham. Alice lived in Cranleigh.
Alice was born in the 4th quarter of 1886 in Holmbury St Mary, Surrey to bricklayer David Spratley, born about 1847 in Wotton, Surrey, and his housekeeper Margaret Rapley, born about 1856 in Wotton.
At the time of the 1911 Census, Walter lived at Stone Lodge, Barrowfield, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire. The household further comprised of his wife Alice. Walter was working as a gardener. The accommodation had four rooms.
The couple had a son: Walter F. born in the 4th quarter of 1912 in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire.
Walter enlisted in Much Hadham into the 5th Battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he lived in Much Hadham. He was a Private with regimental number: 9161.
At the time of his death he was part of the 1st/5th Battalion the Bedfordshire Regiment. His new regimental number was: 203166.
Walter Beedle died on 21st November 1918 at the Combine Clearing Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon from Malaria.
He is buried at the Beirut War Cemetery. His cemetery reference number is: 179. The headstone bears the inscription: “Rest In The Lord.”
He received the British War and Victory medals.
Walter’s wife Alice received £25, 9s and 9d on the 29th of March 1919 in Soldier’s Effects. She lived at Stone Lodge, Barrowfield, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire.
| Born | Capel, Surrey | |
| Lived | Much Hadham, Hertfordshire | |
| Son of | Mark and Caroline (nee Holloway) Beedle | |
| Husband of | Alice Jane May Rapley | |
| Father of | Walter Beedle | |
| Regiment | 1st/5th Battalion. The Bedfordshire Regiment. | |
| Number | 9161 then 203166 | |
| Date of Death | 21st November 1918 | |
| Place of Death | Beruit, Lebanon | |
| Cause of Death | Malaria | |
| Age | 37 | |
| Memorial | Beruit War Cemetery, Beruit, Lebanon |
