| Awardee of the Battle of Britain Clasp - Although entitlement was revoked by the Air Ministry in 1960 (read more) | Update 2012: I have recently been contacted by the son of Sgt Beaumont, who sent in the following. My name is Derek Beaumont and I am the son of Sgt B.W. Beaumont. For years I have been trying to find out about my father as at as very early age (6) at the end of the war, I was sent to an orphanage/boarding school. When my mother remarried as I was leaving school, my grandfather and step father had a disagreement over something and I had very little contact with my grandfather who sadly died shortly afterwards. My father’s death badly affected my mother with the result that she never wanted to talk about him and his death, just dismissing it as ‘it happens in a war,’ although we did manage to persuade her to visit my father’s grave in Dieppe in 1982. On attending the opening of the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey this year, and talking to other people there, it was suggested that I should try doing some research on the internet about my father and was most surprised when his name was accepted when I googled it and found your research into 59 Squadron. Up until that time I was unaware of which squadron he served in! In the Roll of Honour you asked for more details about my father. I haven’t much, but I have his flying log book which says his death was on the 8th Aug and that he was classed as an Observer. He was 29 years old when he was killed and came from Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. He was an only child, married with two children, my sister and myself. I was pleased to read that one of Sgt Coulton relatives had visited my father’s grave and feel for his and P.O. Davis’s relatives who have no known grave. I will certainly make a point of visiting the Narborough Museum this summer. I would also relish the opportunity of meeting anyone who knew my father, although I accept after this number of years this is now very unlikely, but if you do have any contact which you could pass on to me it would be much appreciated. Many, many thanks for your research into the 59 Squadron which has enabled me to get a bit more information about my father and please let me know if you feel I can provide you with further information regarding my father or the 59 Squadron. Regards Derek Beaumont | |