Harry Beadles
Encyclopedia
George Harold "Harry" Beadles (28 September 1897 – 29 August 1958) was a Welsh
professional footballer and Wales international
.
, on the outskirts of Newtown, Powys, to Thomas, a quarryman, and Sarah Ann Beadles. As a child he attended a local board school but was forced to leave at the age of 12 in order to help support his family and he instead took up employment at a local warehouse, owned by Pryce Pryce-Jones
, as a furrier. His brother Albert had also previously worked at the warehouse but had been killed after being hit by one of the carts used by the warehouse which was taking part in a parade.
in 1914 Beadles, along with two of his older brothers, Ewart and Ernie, enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers
, even though he was only 16 years old at the time. While his regiment were stationed in Britain on training exercises, Beadles was a bugle
boy but, in 1915, his unit took part in the landing at Suvla Bay
where, despite still being under the minimum age, he served on the frontline as a rifleman.
During this time, Beadles performed an action that would later see him awarded the Serbian Gold medal for gallantry. He was awarded the medal after saving the life of a Serbian observer officer, while under heavy artillery fire, who had been wounded in no man's land
.
He remained on the frontline until December 1915, when the area was evacuated due to the heavy fighting. Due to the extreme cold, Beadles was suffering from frostbite and was found floating and unconscious in the water at the time of the evacuation and was subsequently sent to a military hospital in Malta
. After recovering he was sent to re-join his regiment, who were now stationed in Palestine
. He took part in all three attempts to capture Gaza
and the eventual push to take Jerusalem under the command of Edmund Allenby
. During the second battle of Gaza, his brother Ewart was awarded the Military Medal
and promoted to the rank of Sergeant
.
After the conclusion of the war, his unit remained in Palestine until mid 1919. It was here that he met former Wales
international George Latham and the pair would go on to be lifelong friends.
before moving to Merseyside
, where he turned out for amateur team Graysons, a local side that represented a local shipping company, whilst working for the company. In June 1921 he signed for Liverpool
, along with teammate Danny Shone. He made his debut in September in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea
but he was never a regular in the side, making just 18 appearances in all competitions during his three years at the club before moving to Cardiff City
in 1924 where George Latham was working on the training staff.
Signed as a replacement for Joe Clennell
who had joined Stoke City
, Beadles made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
. A consistent scorer at the club, including scoring in the quarter-final of the FA Cup
against Leicester City
, he was part of the side that reached the 1925 FA Cup Final
before losing 1-0 to Sheffield United
. During his time at the club Beadles won two caps for Wales, playing in consecutive matches on 14 and 28 February 1925 against Scotland
and England
, before being sold to Sheffield Wednesday
in order to raise money.
Beadles never played in the first team at Sheffield Wednesday, only ever making appearances in the reserve team, and was allowed to join Southport
in 1926 where he spent three seasons as captain, finishing as the clubs top scorer in all three seasons before leaving the club in April 1929 due to a persistent knee injury. He spent a short time as a player-coach at Dundalk
but soon retired from football.
whilst also working at a local sports equipment retailer. After leaving the jobs he joined Bents Brewery, who at the time were recruiting former professional footballers to front their business. After managing a number of the company's pubs and hotels, he was handed control of the company's main hotel in Liverpool
in 1939. In the late 1940s, his health declined and he was unable to continue running the hotel and, after running a smaller pub, he was forced into early retirement in the 1950s. After a long illness he died on 29 August 1958 at the age of 60.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
professional footballer and Wales international
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
.
Early life
One of seven children, Beadles was born in LlanllwchaiarnLlanllwchaiarn
Llanllwchaiarn is a village on the outskirts of Newtown in Powys, Wales.- External links :*...
, on the outskirts of Newtown, Powys, to Thomas, a quarryman, and Sarah Ann Beadles. As a child he attended a local board school but was forced to leave at the age of 12 in order to help support his family and he instead took up employment at a local warehouse, owned by Pryce Pryce-Jones
Pryce Pryce-Jones
Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones was a Welsh entrepreneur who was one of the first to succeed in the mail order business.-Life history:...
, as a furrier. His brother Albert had also previously worked at the warehouse but had been killed after being hit by one of the carts used by the warehouse which was taking part in a parade.
World War I
On the outbreak of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1914 Beadles, along with two of his older brothers, Ewart and Ernie, enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
, even though he was only 16 years old at the time. While his regiment were stationed in Britain on training exercises, Beadles was a bugle
Bugle (instrument)
The bugle is one of the simplest brass instruments, having no valves or other pitch-altering devices. All pitch control is done by varying the player's embouchure, since the bugle has no other mechanism for controlling pitch. Consequently, the bugle is limited to notes within the harmonic series...
boy but, in 1915, his unit took part in the landing at Suvla Bay
Landing at Suvla Bay
The landing at Suvla Bay was an amphibious landing made at Suvla on the Aegean coast of Gallipoli peninsula in the Ottoman Empire as part of the August Offensive, the final British attempt to break the deadlock of the Battle of Gallipoli...
where, despite still being under the minimum age, he served on the frontline as a rifleman.
During this time, Beadles performed an action that would later see him awarded the Serbian Gold medal for gallantry. He was awarded the medal after saving the life of a Serbian observer officer, while under heavy artillery fire, who had been wounded in no man's land
No man's land
No man's land is a term for land that is unoccupied or is under dispute between parties that leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty. The term was originally used to define a contested territory or a dumping ground for refuse between fiefdoms...
.
He remained on the frontline until December 1915, when the area was evacuated due to the heavy fighting. Due to the extreme cold, Beadles was suffering from frostbite and was found floating and unconscious in the water at the time of the evacuation and was subsequently sent to a military hospital in Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. After recovering he was sent to re-join his regiment, who were now stationed in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
. He took part in all three attempts to capture Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
and the eventual push to take Jerusalem under the command of Edmund Allenby
Edmund Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby
Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby GCB, GCMG, GCVO was a British soldier and administrator most famous for his role during the First World War, in which he led the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in the conquest of Palestine and Syria in 1917 and 1918.Allenby, nicknamed...
. During the second battle of Gaza, his brother Ewart was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
and promoted to the rank of Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
.
After the conclusion of the war, his unit remained in Palestine until mid 1919. It was here that he met former Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
international George Latham and the pair would go on to be lifelong friends.
Football career
On his return to Wales, Beadles played for his local side NewtownNewtown F.C.
Newtown Association Football Club is a Welsh football club who currently play in the Welsh Premier League, with a reserve team currently playing in the Mid Wales Football League....
before moving to Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
, where he turned out for amateur team Graysons, a local side that represented a local shipping company, whilst working for the company. In June 1921 he signed for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, along with teammate Danny Shone. He made his debut in September in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
but he was never a regular in the side, making just 18 appearances in all competitions during his three years at the club before moving to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in 1924 where George Latham was working on the training staff.
Signed as a replacement for Joe Clennell
Joe Clennell
Joseph "Joe" Clennell was an English professional footballer. He was top goalscorer for Blackpool with eighteen goals during his one season at the club. He also played for Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.-References:*...
who had joined Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, Beadles made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. A consistent scorer at the club, including scoring in the quarter-final of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
against Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, he was part of the side that reached the 1925 FA Cup Final
1925 FA Cup Final
The 1925 FA Cup Final was contested by Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium. Sheffield United won by a single goal, scored by Fred Tunstall....
before losing 1-0 to Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
. During his time at the club Beadles won two caps for Wales, playing in consecutive matches on 14 and 28 February 1925 against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
and England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
, before being sold to Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
in order to raise money.
Beadles never played in the first team at Sheffield Wednesday, only ever making appearances in the reserve team, and was allowed to join Southport
Southport F.C.
Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008...
in 1926 where he spent three seasons as captain, finishing as the clubs top scorer in all three seasons before leaving the club in April 1929 due to a persistent knee injury. He spent a short time as a player-coach at Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
but soon retired from football.
Later life
After returning to Merseyside, Beadles spent a short time as a prison officer at Walton jailLiverpool (HM Prison)
HM Prison Liverpool is a categoryB/C local men's prison, located in the Walton area of Liverpool in England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.-History:...
whilst also working at a local sports equipment retailer. After leaving the jobs he joined Bents Brewery, who at the time were recruiting former professional footballers to front their business. After managing a number of the company's pubs and hotels, he was handed control of the company's main hotel in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in 1939. In the late 1940s, his health declined and he was unable to continue running the hotel and, after running a smaller pub, he was forced into early retirement in the 1950s. After a long illness he died on 29 August 1958 at the age of 60.