Arthur Sydney Beyless (1907 - 1985)

Biography

• • Arthur was born 3 May 1907 in Leicester^[1] and was usually known as 'Sid' to avoid confusion with his father. He was the eldest of three brothers.
  • When he was younger he was keen on sports and played football, cricket and tennis.

Education

• School leaving date
  • Date: 22 Aug 1921
  • Place: Melbourne Road School, Leicester^[2]

Occupation

• Occupation: Hosiery Mechanic

• • He followed the family tradition of working in the knitting industry as a hosiery mechanic and later worked at Corah's in Leicester.
  • Sidney had all sorts of bits and pieces lying around his tool shed - including latch needles from knitting machines. He also had diaries from 'Bentley Engineering' - the world's biggest manufacturer of knitting machines.

Marriage

• • Sid married Vera Coltman 2 Aug 1928^[3] and together they had a daughter Sylvia.
• Note: Wedding photo has Aug 2nd 1928 written on the back

Military Service

• Note: Royal Navy 1942-1943 MX 92129 Articifer/Petty Officer
  • Place: North Africa
  • During the Second World War he served in the Royal Navy 1942-1943 (could have been longer) as an Articifer/Petty Officer (MX 92129 ). We have a photo album with pictures taken between 1942 and 1943 whilst he was on a tour of duty. The photos were taken in the following places:-
  • Alexandria 1942, swimming in Stanly Bay, Alexandria (Easter 1943)
  • Italy : Bridisi, Bari, Pompei
  • Malta
  • Cape Town
  • Beirut
  • Some of his friends named in the album are Geoff Meek, Joek Harvey and Lofty Underhill
  • Sid was presented with the following military medals:
  • The Defence Medal 1939-1949
  • The British 1939 -1945 War Medal
  • The Italy Star
  • The Africa Star
  • The 1939-1945 Star
  • There are also five ribbons yet to be identified
  • On the box that some of the medals were received in there is a number MX92129
  • After serving in Egypt etc he was posted to Iceland. This sudden change of climate may have led to his contracting a mild form of diabetes.

Later Life

• • In later life Sid liked playing Crown Green Bowls (Uppingham Road and Spinney Hill Park), and did 'Old Time Dancing' with Vera. He was very good at both of these pastimes and had many trophies and awards to prove it. He was a member and regular visitor of Working Men's Clubs and enjoyed a beer - and smoked 'Players' cigarettes! For the last part of his life he and Vera lived at 71 Prestwold Road,Leicester. Sid contracted Alzheimers disease in the 1980's.

Death

• • Date: 22 May 1985
  • Place: Leicester General Hospital^[4]
  • Cause: Alzheimers Disease

Cremation

• • Date: 3 Jun 1985
  • Place: Leicester Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth : GRO : Name: Arthur Sydney Beyless, Year of Registration: 1907, Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun, District: Leicester (1837-1974), County: Leicestershire, Volume: 7a, Page: 309
2. ↑ Education: Leicestershire School Exemption registers Page: 30D73/09 f2 p52 Data: Text: 155 Upper Conduit St
3. ↑ Marriage : GRO : Name: Arthur S Beyless, Spouse Surname: Coltman, Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1928, Registration district: Leicester, Registration county (inferred): Leicestershire, Volume Number: 7a, Page Number: 903
4. ↑ Death : Name: Arthur Sydney Beyless, Birth Date: 3 May 1907, Death Registration Month/Year: May 1985, Age at death (estimated): 78, Registration district: Leicestershire Central, Inferred County: Leicestershire, Volume: 6, Page: 1752
5. ↑ Cremation : deceasedonline.com : name summaryBeyless, Arthur Sydney, crematedon:29 May 1985  recorded in:  Leicestershire  date of death  22 May 1985