Mark Beevers

War Service

It is not known precisely when Mark enlisted at Normanton but he was assigned to 2/4th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion was formed in Wakefield in September 1914, becoming attached to 187th Brigade in 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, as a second line unit.
In the early months of the war supplies and equipment were in short supply. Training was carried out at a number of locations in England including Strensall, Beverley, Gateshead, Larkhill, Flixton Park and finally, in October 1916, in Wellingborough.
Early in 1917 the battalion embarked for France landing at Le Havre on 15 January 1917. The following day the journey to the front commenced with train journeys and route marches and they arrived in St Leger on 27 January after spending some nights under canvas. Comments in the battalion diaries for 18 January refer to the billets being over-crowded and the weather cold with a covering of snow. The battalion remained in the St Leger area until 16 February working on railway construction, digging trenches and undertaking further training. Received on 23 February, orders to move into the lines. Then on the 25 February, further orders received for the Brigade to push forward towards Puissieux.
The battalion’s first two men to be killed in action occurred on 27 February, with a further eight wounded and one missing. Mark would have been involved in this action and other subsequent action as the battalion advanced. The battalion spent the night of 11/12 April in camp at Achiet-Le-Petit and the following day they were back in the lines.
Extracts from entries in the Battalion Diaries for 12 April state:
“The battalion relieved the 2/5 West Yorkshire Regiment and one company of the 2/8 West Yorkshire Regiment in the line.”
“13.4.17 The battalion held the line as previously occupied one man was reported killed, 3 wounded.”
“14.4.17 The following casualties were reported as having occurred during the period 12 noon 13.4.17 to 12 noon 14.4.17 – 2nd Lt Weighell killed, Company Sergeant Major Beevers killed, 3 other ranks killed, 3 wounded.”
Mark had only been in France for a period of 3 months when he was killed, aged 33 years. His daughter, Mary, was 8 years old and his wife Sarah was now a widow after only ten years of marriage when Mark made the ultimate sacrifice.
A report on the loss of Mark appeared in the Wakefield Express on 5 May 1917:
“ALTOFTS COMPANY SERGEANT-MAJOR KILLED
Much sympathy has been expressed in Normanton and Altofts this week with the young widow and relatives of Company Sergeant-Major Mark Beevers of the K.O.Y.L.I. who is reported to have been killed in action recently. He was only 33 years of age, his house address was 23 Garden Street, Altofts and he was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Beevers of High Green Road, Altofts, his father having been the night banksman at the Altofts Collieries for many years. The deceased soldier, who we understand was struck down by a shell and killed instantly, had made splendid progress in the army. Along with many other young men from the pit he joined the local Territorial forces shortly after war had broke out and by his meritorious conduct and soldierly ability he rose in the ranks until he attained the high rank of Company Sergeant Major. He will be remembered by the Normanton Detachment of the 10th W.R.V. as being one of the finest instructors which the old Normanton Volunteers had. He was a very popular young man in the district and his military career was being watched by Normanton and Altofts people. Prior to joining the forces he was a very active worker in connexion with the Upper Altofts Wesleyan Chapel where his loss is being most keenly felt by a wide circle of friends. In a letter to his widow, who is left with a little girl of eight, Capt. Gerald Beaumont says: “It is with deepest regret that I write to tell you of your husband’s death. He was with the reserve company when he was struck by a shell and killed instantly. I cannot tell you how deeply I sympathise with you, nor how deeply I shall miss him. He served with me up to a short time ago when he was recommended for promotion still further and went to another company as company sergeant-major and was doing very well indeed. He was a most cheery fellow under trying conditions, an excellent soldier and his place will be hard to fill. Nothing I can say can lessen your sorrow except perhaps the knowledge that he died fighting for his country.”
A memorial stone, dedicated to the men of the church and congregation, can still be seen in Altofts Methodist Chapel today (2026) – John Joseph Oates is also remembered on the memorial stone. Although born in Altofts, John Joseph married and lived in Normanton and is remembered on Normanton cenotaph.
Company Sergeant Major Mark Beevers now lies in St Leger British Cemetery, France, approximately 12 kilometres south of Arras. The cemetery is comparatively small containing 184 burials and commemorations, located on the outskirts of the village St Leger in a quiet peaceful area on the edge of a wood.

Family Life

Mark was born in Altofts in 1884, the third son of John and Mary Beevers. John married Mary Joliffe in Saint Mary Magdalene Church, Altofts on 19 August 1871. Both were born in Yorkshire: John at Carlton and Mary at Brotherton. In the early years of their marriage the family lived in Robinsons Row, Altofts. Sarah Ann was their first born, then George, Alfred, Florence and Mark, followed by Eliza in 1886.
Prior to 1891 the family moved from Robinsons Row (Birkwood Road), Altofts to 2, Wentworth Terrace, Altofts. Sometime during the next ten years the family moved again to a larger house at 37, High Green Road, Altofts.
When Mark left school he followed his father to work in the colliery, employed as a labourer.
In the early summer of 1907 Mark married Sarah Ellen Cliff. Two years later their daughter Mary was born.
In 1911 Mark, now aged 27 a husband and a father, was living at 23, Garden Street, Altofts. He had gained promotion at the colliery, following in his father’s footsteps also becoming a colliery banksman.