The AIF Project

Christopher William BEAMES

Regimental number5307
Date of birth5 November 1886
Place of birthPort Augusta, South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressCleve, West Coast, South Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 6.75"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Sarah Jane Beames, Cleve, West Coast, South Australia
Previous military serviceMember for 12 months, Arno Bay Rifle Club; still a member at time of AIF enlistment.
Enlistment date27 April 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name27th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/44/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on 12 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll27th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 24 December 1918
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Plaque in South Australian Garden of Remembrance
Discharge date17 March 1919
Other details

War service: embarked Adelaide, 12 August 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 30 September 1916, and marched in to 7th Training Bn, Rollestone.

Proceeded overseas to France, 16 November 1916. Admitted to 51st General Hospital, Etaples, 26 November 1916; discharged to Base Details, 29 December 1916: total treatment for venereal disease, 34 days. Admitted to 51st General Hospital, 4 January 1917; discharged to Base Depot, 19 January 1917: total treatment for venereal disease: 16 days.

Proceeded on leave to England from Belgium, 8 December 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 25 December 1917. Admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance, 1 February 1918 (scabies); transferred to No. 4 Stationary Hospital, 1 February 1918; rejoined Bn, 19 February 1918.

Admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance, 20 June 1918 (ruptured left ear drum); transferred to 10th General Hospital, Rouen, 23 June 1918. Transferred to England, 25 June 1918, and admitted to Kitchener War Hospital, Brighton, 26 June 1918. Granted furlough, 8 July 1918, to report to No. 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 22 July 1918. Marched out to No. 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 10 August 1918. Admitted to General Clearing Hospital, Hurdcott, 16 August 1918 (septic foot).

Married Elizabeth Philip SMITH, St John's Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, 19 October 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board 'Takada', 24 December 1918; disembarked Adelaide, 6 February 1919; discharged (medically unfit: accidental injury, left foot), 17 March 1919.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II as S71301, Volunteer Defence Corps, 12 May 1942-25 November 1945 (appointed Captain, Company Commander, 28 July 1942).
Date of death29 October 1967
Age at death80
Place of burialCremated: ashes, together with those of his wife, were scattered from an aeroplane over his property near Cleve, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.
SourcesNAA: B2455, BEAMES Christopher William

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.