John Beeley

Charging a gun position, he opened the way for his comrades.

John Beeley was born in the Lower Openshaw district of Manchester on 8 February 1918. His father, James, was an engineer's labourer who had served in the First World War; his mother was Mona, née Dugdale. John attended Wheler Street School and worked as a stonemason before enlisting in the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 4 August 1938. He trained at Winchester and joined the 1st Battalion. His twin brother Arthur served in the Royal Marines. In 1939 John married Betty Bond, who subsequently served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

On 21 November 1941, during Operation Crusader, his company was held up near the airfield at Sidi Rezegh in Libya. Heavy fire from the front and flank pinned the men on open ground, with all but one of the company's officers killed or wounded. On his own initiative, Beeley stood with his Bren gun and ran thirty yards towards a post containing an anti-tank gun and heavy and light machine guns. From twenty yards he fired a complete magazine, killing or wounding the anti-tank gun crew and silencing the post. He was killed, but his platoon advanced. His example helped inspire the attack that eventually captured the objective and seven hundred prisoners.

The Victoria Cross was awarded posthumously. Betty received it from King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 20 October 1942. Beeley was buried in what is now Knightsbridge War Cemetery at Acroma, Libya. His awards also commemorate his service in the North African campaign, and his name is remembered by his regiment and in Manchester.

Official Victoria Cross citation

On the 21st November, 1941, during the attack by a Battalion of The King's Royal Rifle Corps at Sidi Rezegh against a strong enemy position, the Company to which Rifleman Beeley belonged was pinned down by heavy fire at point-blank range from the front and flank on the flat and open ground of the aerodrome. All the officers but one of the Company and many of the other ranks had been either killed or wounded. On his own initiative, and when there was no sort of cover, Rifleman Beeley got to his feet carrying a Bren Gun and ran forward towards a strong enemy post containing an anti-tank gun, a heavy machine gun and a light machine gun. He ran thirty yards and discharged a complete magazine at the post from a range of twenty yards, killing or wounding the entire crew of the anti-tank gun. The post was silenced and Rifleman Beeley's platoon was enabled to advance, but Rifleman Beeley fell dead across his gun, hit in at least four places.

Rifleman Beeley went to certain death in a gallant and successful attempt to carry the day. His courage and self-sacrifice was a glorious example to his comrades and inspired them to further efforts to reach their objective, which was eventually captured by them, together with 700 prisoners.

The London Gazette, issue 35530, Second Supplement dated 21 April 1942, page 1741.