PRIVATE RALPH BEAUCHAMP   9207, 1st Battalion. Wiltshire Regiment was born 1896 in East Grimstead, Wiltshire the son of Reuben and Frances Beauchamp.  1901 shows the family of seven living in  East Grimstead and Reuben Beauchamp was a Platelayer working for the Railway, but by 1911 they had moved to Emmotts Farm in West Grimstead and Reuben has become a Farmer, with the family having increased to ten. Ralph Beauchamp is, at that time, 15 years old and helping his father on the farm as is his elder brother Charlie and sister Alice.  Charlie Beauchamp, had joined the army in 1911 and although wounded he returned home at the end of the war.

Ralph Beauchamp joined up with the Wiltshire Regiment and his story is told in the records of the Wiltshire Regiment as shown below.

7th August 1914 enlisted in 5th Battalion

7th April 1915 embarked11th April joined Battalion

3rd September 1915 Shell wound to the head admitted 7 Field Ambulance. ED/1523

8th September 1915 back to Duty ED/1716

26th October 1915 Shrapnell wound VI admitted 76 Field Ambulance ED/3262

27th October 1915 Gunshot wound in the back admitted NM Casualty Clearing Station. ED/3258

2nd November 1915 back to Duty. ED/3507

28 November 1915 Killed in Action

Medals: Wiltshire Regiment 1914/15, Roll date 22/9/1919, Sheet B007

Wiltshire Regiment War and Victory Medals, Roll date 20/03/1920, Sheet 121

Extract from the 1st WILTSHIRE REGIMENT WAR DIARIES

Sunday 28th November 1915 Belgium, Ploegsteert

"In trenches. Useful patrol work done during past 3 nights by 2nd Lieuts Brown, Sharpe and Cordon. The exact strength of enemy's wire ascertained. The Germans relieved last night, and are active with sniping. Pte Beauchamp Machine Gun Det. was shot through head at 8.30a.m. looking over the parapet.

Men working in trenches, no church service held."