Additions will be checked before being published on the website and where possible will be forwarded to the person who submitted the original entries. Your contact details will not be forwarded, but they can send a reply via this messaging system.
please scroll down to send a message
Pte. William Beattie MiD.
British Army Army Service Corps
from:Walwick Farm, Humshaugh, Northumberland
(d.2nd October 1918)
William Beattie died on 2nd of October 1918, age 30 while serving with the Army Service Corps, attached to the 21st Field Ambulance, RAMC on the Italian Front in the Veneto region. He is buried in Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery, Vicenza.
Having served in France since 1915, William was amongst the thousands of British troops transferred to the Italian front during 1917. They were controlling the line stretching from the marshes near Venice into the alpine regions of the Dolomites. Army records indicate that William was mentioned in dispatches for his bravery whilst recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield.
From Hexham Herald 12th October 1918, "Beattie. Died from pneumonia at casualty clearing station in Italy on 2nd October 1918 aged 29 years. Private William Beattie M T Army Service Corps, beloved and eldest son of A and M E Beattie, Walwick Farm. Unfeigned regret has been occasioned in Humshaugh district by the news received this week of the death, in Italy, from an attack of pneumonia, of Private William Beattie of Walwick
From Hexham Courant, 19th October 1918 "Mr and Mrs Beattie, Walwick Farm, Humshaugh, received official information that their eldest son, Private William Beattie, Motor Transport, Army Service Corps, 21st Field Ambulance, has died at a clearing station in Italy. Private Beattie joined the colours in July 1915 and left Hexham for France as driver of Dr Stewart’s Ambulance Car 'The North Tyne'. In December 1917, he was transferred to Italy, where he died from pneumonia on 2nd October. Prior to enlisting, Private Beattie, like many other patriotic boys, came over from Canada. He must have emigrated before 1915. He was 29 years of age. Mrs Beattie has received the following from Col. W J Wright ADMS, Italy, dated 6th October. "Dear Mrs Beattie, with deepest regret I heard of your son's death yesterday. As his late commanding officer, please accept my deepest sympathy in your very sad bereavement. During the times I commanded the 21st Field Ambulance, I always found your son most obliging and cheerful, no work was too hard or too dangerous for him. He always took his orders with a smiling face and in every possible way was ready to help the sick and wounded. Although I have left my own unit, I know well how much he will be missed, both by officers and men, with whom he was most popular. He always set a fine example to all ranks and was a splendid example of a true Britisher.""
William Beattie received a posthumous Mention in Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty. He is buried in Northern Italy in the Montecchio Precalcino Communal Cemetery Extension. Although his death is recorded as pneumonia it is quite likely that he had succumbed to Spanish Flu.
