Friends of Hastings Cemetery

The Beaney Brothers

Charles Arthur Beaney (April 1876 -28th October 1914) and Albert Edward Beaney (April 1879 – 22nd September 1914) came from a St Leonards family who lived in Shepherd St, Mercatoria and Norman Rd, St Leonards.

Their father, William Foord Beaney (1841-1898) originally from Wingham, Kent, was a whitesmith ( One who works in tinned or galvanized iron, or white iron; a tinsmith. A worker in iron who finishes or polishes the work, in distinction from one who forges it) and their mother Esther (1840-1923), was from Hawkhurst. There were 9 children of which Charles was the seventh, and Albert the youngest.

 

Charles joined the Royal Navy before 1911.  At the time of his death at the age of 38 he was a Petty Officer Stoker aboard HMS Falcon (see next page) which was on a submarine patrol off the Belgian Coast when she came under heavy artillery fire from the shore. She returned fire until hit by an 8’’ shell which killed Charles and 7 other sailors including the commander. She was taken to Calais for repairs and continued to serve in home waters until sunk after a collision with an armed trawler in 1918.

Probate was granted to his mother, now a widow, in the sum of £124. He does not seem to have married.

Naval Hero’s Funeral at Hastings

The funeral of Mr Charles Arthur Beaney, Stoker Petty Officer, of HMS ‘Falcon’ who was killed on board ship in the action off Ostend during the bombardment of the German Forces by ships of H.M. Fleet, on Wednesday 28th October, took place on Tuesday.  Great sympathy was felt with Mrs Beaney and family of 57 Norman Rd, St Leonards.

The body was landed at Dover, and subsequently conveyed to St Leonards.  Mr Beaney was 38 years of age and had served for the last 18 years in the Navy. He was consequently nearing the time to receive a well-deserved pension.  He was very fond of the sea, and had cruised in all quarters of the globe.  Deceased was home on leave for the week-end about three weeks ago, and on the 20th October he wrote a postcard to his relatives saying he was quite well and had

been doing ‘a bit’ that day and hoped he had done ‘some good’.  He was a good son and brother and will be much missed at home.

A few weeks ago the family received the sad news that Albert Edward Beaney, brother of Charles Arthur Beaney, a Battle postman, had lost his life by the sinking of H.M.S. ‘Hogue’ on September 22nd, so the family have thus been bereaved twice within a few months but their grief is somewhat softened in the knowledge that both men fell as (heroes?) to the cause of their country.

There was a large attendance of sympathising friends at the Borough Cemetery on Tuesday. The service was conducted by the Rev. H. B. C. Foyster in a very feeling and expressive manner.

(The article concludes with a comprehensive list of mourners).

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