Pre-Production- The Case of Ernest Beeby

I was doing some research into particular execution cases and I fell upon this one, of Pioneer Ernest Beeby. This one sounds particularly interesting because of his general and absolute indifference to the possibility of his death at the courts-martial and his eventual definite impending doom. I think I could use the story of Ernest Beeby, creating a back story as to why he wanted to die.

Ernest Beeby

Pioneer Beeby was tried at Huppy by Field General courts-martial, in France, on 15 November 1916 with the charge of desertion.

The following is an extract of the courts-martial proceedings.

No. 11516 S.Major A. O’Connell, 212^nd Field Coy., RE states:

At Guillemont on 24 October 1916, at 2pm the accused was not on parade. I reported him absent to the C.O and did not see the accused again until he was brought back under escort on or about the 29^th October 1916.

No cross-examination.

No. 85814 A/Sjt. S. Boalch, 212^nd Field Coy., RE states:

On October 29^th 1916, on the 2pm parade the accused was absent. I reported this to the Sergeant Major.

No cross-examination.

No. 441 L/Cpl. E. Thomas, M.F. Police states:

At Harve docks on the 26 October 1916, about 11.15pm I was on duty at No. 1 gate, Gare Maritime, when I saw the accused loitering in the vicinity. I questioned him. He told me he was absent from his unit. I arrested him and conducted him to the patrol guard detention room. The accused seemed to have lost his memory. He was sober. He did not appear to know what he was talking about.

No cross-examination.

No. P1328 Colour Serjt. W. Rashbrook, M.F. Police states:

At Harve on 27 October 1916, at about 8am I was on duty on Harve Docks where I saw the accused now before the court, in custody. I asked him to give me particulars of his name, number, unit. He gave me the following: No. 140320 Sapper Beary of the 90^th Coy., RE. I asked him where he came from and he said "I came to France in September about the 9^th and landed at Harve. I broke away from the draft just out from England while at No. 5 Rest Camp. I mixed myself with a party to go to "Blighty"". The accused was very strange in his manner.

No cross-examination.

The accused states on oath:

At Harve Docks in October I fell off a Motor Ambulance and was taken to the guard room by a Corporal. That is all I remember. I fell on my head.

The Prosecutor:

Was it the same corporal that has given evidence?

The Accused:

I can’t say.

The Prosecutor:

What were you doing on a Motor Ambulance in Harve Docks?

The Accused:

I can’t remember.

No further cross-examination.

Evidence as to character:

Captain H.T. Morshead, 212^nd Field Coy., RE produces the accused’s A.F. B.122 (Company Conduct Sheet).

1. Character.

From a fighting point of view this man is worthless - nor has he any trade aptitude or qualification fitting him for service in an R.E Coy. His regimental and company conduct sheets shows his behaviour to have been habitually bad. Pioneer Beeby joined 212^nd Field Company on 31 August 1916 at the commencement of a spell of Divisional rest, and has hardly been in action. He was sick during a considerable portion of the time the company was in the Third Army area, and he disappeared on the day his section was due to go into the line on arrival in Fourth Army front.

2. State of Discipline of unit concerned.

The company is practically entirely free from crime and discipline is good

I am of the opinion that the crime was deliberately committed with the sole object of avoiding the particular service involved - viz. a tour of duty in the line.

17/11/16 Sd/ H.T. Morshead, Capt. RE. O/C 212 Field Company.

Extracts from Conduct Sheet:

Attested at Kidderminster 31 March 1915. Age 23 years and 5 months.

Place of birth: Birmingham.

Verdict and Sentence.

Pioneer Beeby pleaded not guilty to the charge of desertion. He was examined by a Medical Commission headed by the DADMS of 33^rd Division (Major G.W.G. Hughes DSO assisted by Captain J.W. Wilson RAMC and Captain J.H. Morris RAMC). This commission found that he understood that the act he was tried for was wrong and he understood the consequences of his action. Therefore, the Medical Commission found that Pioneer Beeby was sane and fit to stand trial.

The court found Beeby guilty of desertion and sentence him to death by shooting.

The sentence was confirmed, and carried out at Albert on 9 December 1916 at 06:27 hours. The death was witnessed as instantaneous.

Ernest Beeby is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension in Plot 1, Row R, Grave 43.

Source: http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/beeby.htm