5th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
10/09/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
30
Summary
John James Beach was born at Annagh, Belturbet, County Cavan. His parents, James and Annie Beach, moved to 9 Stream Street, Newry and John came to Cookstown to work at Orritor quarry. John had a great deal of experience on active service having served throughout the Boer war. At the outbreak of the First World War he rejoined the army and spent a long time in service before his death. He was killed in action during the Salonika Campaign on 10th September 1916.
Further Information
John James Beach was the son of James and Annie Beach. John was born at Annagh, Belturbet, County Cavan about 1886.
The 1901 census lists John J as age 19, a general labourer, living with his mother in Deanery Street, Belturbet, County Cavan. His mother was a widow.
John came to Cookstown to work at Orritor quarry.
John had a great deal of experience on active service having served throughout the Boer War.
At the outbreak of the First World War he rejoined the army.
Private John Beach was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during the Salonika Campaign on 10th September 1916. John was killed during very heavy fighting close to the Struma River. He was 30 years old.
At the time of his death his wife and son were living at Church Street, Cookstown.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 28th October 1916:
BEACH – In loving memory of Private John Beach, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was killed in action at Salonika on 10th September 1916.
'Far and oft my thoughts do wander to the grave in foreign lands
When they laid my darling husband, placed by strange but tender hands
Yet some day I hope to meet him when my days in life are fled
Then in Heaven I hope to greet him, where no farewell tears are shed.
May the Lord have mercy on his soul.'
Inserted by his sorrowing wife and little son, Church Street, Cookstown.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th November 1916:
Private J J Beach, Royal Inniskillings, who was killed in action on 10th September in the Balkans. Private Beach was a time-expired soldier, who had a good deal of experience of active service, having been through the Boer War. He was a native of Belturbet, County Cavan, and came to Cookstown some years ago, where he was employed in Orritor Quarry. At the outbreak of war his soldierly instincts asserted themselves, and he rejoined. He did long service in the fighting line before being called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. He was first reported missing, but a letter received by his wife, from his commanding officer, conveyed the regrettable news of his death in action. His wife, who resides in Church Street, Cookstown, has one little son.
In his will, he left half his property to his wife, who was living in Cookstown. He left the other half to his mother, who was living at 21 Barrack Hill, Belturbet, County Cavan.
Last Will and Testament of Private J Beach:
In the event of my death, I leave the half of my property to my wife: Annie Beach, Church Street, Cookstown, and half to my mother, Anne Beach, 21 Barrack Hill, Belturbet, County Cavan, Ireland. Signature 11417 Private J Beach, 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private John James Beach is buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece.
Five men of the 5th Inniskillings were killed on the 10th September and all are interred in Struma Cemetery. William Ferguson from County Leitrim, William McConkey, from Belfast, George McCutcheon from Edenderry, and Joseph McGowan of Glasgow
The CWGC record Private J Beach as the son of James and Annie Beach of 9 Stream Street, Newry, County Down.
