2722596 Guardsman John BEASLEY, 1 Irish Guards: POW, E&E

Date of Enlistment: 1940
Army Number: 2722596
Rank: Guardsman
Name: John BEASLEY
Unit: 1 Irish Guards

Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:

Date of Capture: 24 November 1942
Place of Capture: Tunis

POW Number:
POW Camps:

Date of Escape: 9 September 1943
Place of Escape: Sulmona, Italy

 

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C17883335
Reference: WO 208/5393/40
Name: John Beasley.
Rank: Guardsman, 2722596, Irish Guards.
Captured: Tunis, 24 November 1942.
Escaped or liberated from: Sulmona, 9 September 1943.

Other escapees mentioned:

• Spr Kingham, RE,
• L/Cpl Knight, RE,
• Sergeant Quinn, RA.

In Sulmona Civil prison:

• Rifleman Dusbois, King's Royal Rifle Corps,
• Captain Savage, Queens Hussars,
• Captain McNab, RASC,
• Sergeant N E Barker, Ex Force,
• RSM Ptooer, Middx Yeo,
• Lt Maxwell, Commandos.

Includes Cover sheet and Report sheet.
Date: 1943 Nov 18

 

See also:
1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file
"URGENT
SUBJECT:- Missing Personnel.
Ref No.:- 1 I.G. 87
D.A.A.G., G.H.Q. 2nd Echelon
Reference your O2E/8973/CAS of 23 May 1943.


1. No. 2721500 - PLS ROBERTS, J.
This N.C.O. was reported "Missing, believed P.O.W." in my W. 3011 C, Serial No. 5 dated 29 March 1943. A sworn statement by 2721001 Guardsman HARRIS was attached to this W. 3011 C. This Guardsman stated that he actually saw PLS ROBERTS being led away by the Germans.

2. No. 2723121 Guardsman FLANNERY, T.
No. 2722596 Guardsman BEESLEY, J.
No. 2721157 Guardsman MAYE, M.
These men were missing from the same patrol as PLS ROBERTS. This patrol was fired on by an enemy M.G. and the patrol dispersed. The above named Guardsman were thought to be clear of the enemy positions but they may have been taken prisoner."

 

Is anyone able to identify this man;
J
Conflict World War 2
Last name Beasley
Country Great Britain
Year 1943
Series WO 208
Rank Guardsman
Series name POW - Escapers & evaders - MI9 report
Service number 2722596
Piece number 5393
Regiment Irish Guards
Archive reference WO 208/5393
Unit or regiment Irish Guards
Archive The National Archives
Prisoner of war camp 78 - Sulmona
Record set Prisoners Of War 1715-1945
Prison camp or ship 78 - Sulmona
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Date of escape 1943-09-12
Subcategory Regimental & Service Records
Report number IT/AF/510
Collections from Great Britain, UK None

I have tried a couple of times to find more about him without success. My father (also Irish Guards) knew him and always wondered we what became of him? What I found was on Findmypast. I would love to know what happened to him too. Thank you.

 

Hi
There is a mention of his probable capture in this link
1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - North Africa, Missing Personnel file

 

Thank you Diane it's ages since I was on here - I think I may have confused this man with a Sergeant Deazley, I will away to check my memory : (

 

Hi
Nice to see you back again!
I've created a new thread for Sgt Deazley
Sergeant DEAZLEY, 1 Irish Guards

 

Hi,
This is my Grandfather John Beesley (known as Jack).

I’ve only recently come across this page after looking for information for him online.

I knew little about his time in the army as he never spoke about it and I didn’t feel right to ask when I was younger.

My father said he never mentioned anything to him apart from one night he let his guard down and spoke about an escape he and some men made in Italy. He spoke about swimming across a river - my Grandfather never learnt to swim, so somebody helped him across he said.

He also said a lady helped during his time on the run as he was a strict Catholic and she noticed his rosary beads.

Anyway, family members who have his army documents have confirmed 2722596 as his army number so I know this is him.

I’m starting to look into what happened there as it’s always been on my mind.

Please feel free to reach out, I’d love to know more about the people involved and what happened.