Home

Surname

Forename

Rank

Notes

Unit

Beal

James

1st Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA rolls

Imperial Light Horse

Beal

James Walter

23752

Trooper

Source: QSA Medal Rolls

23rd Company, 8th Btn, IY

Beal

John C

2nd Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls

Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Beal

Robert

BSACM Mashonaland 1890 (2) Matabeleland 1893 Rhodesia 1896. 1893: Lt. Victoria Col.; 1896: Lt Colonel Salisbury FF.
Source: BSACM rolls

Pioneer Corps

Beal

Robert

Lieutenant Colonel

Was the son of John Beal, a master mariner of Sunderland, and was born in the north country in 1858. Robert Beal went to South Africa in 1875, where he started farming. He served in the Gaika-Galeka Wars in 1878-9 (medal and clasp), and then became Clerk in the PWD in Cape Colony, being stationed at E London from 1881-3. In the following year he was employed with Fairbank and Pauling on the Queenstown-Aliwal North Railway. In 1884-5 he served in Sir C Warren's Bechuanaland Expedition, at first as trooper, afterwards being promoted Lieutenant, and Acting Adjutant of the right wing of the 3rd Mounted Rifles under Lieutenant Colonel Hugh S Gough. In Aug, 1885, he enrolled in the BBP as a trooper, leaving that regiment in April, 1890, as RSM to join the Pioneer Corps for the occupation of Mashonaland, commencing with the same rank; was promoted Lieutenant, and Acting Adjutant, June 10, 1890, the corps being disbanded in the following October. In 1891 he was appointed Inspector of Public Works for Mashonaland. He was elected Senior Lieutenant, in the Mashonaland Horse, and served with the Victoria Column through the Matabele War in 1893 as Lieutenant, afterwards returning in command the column (medal). On the formation of the Rhodesia Horse Vols., he was elected Senior Captain, being promoted Lieutenant-Col commanding in 1896. In that year he commanded a column from Salisbury and Gwelo for the relief of Bulawayo, and was second in command under Colonel Spreckle at the celebrated action of Umguza Drift on June 6, when 400 of the rebellious Matabele were left dead on the field-an action which practically broke the back of the rebellion. Colonel Beal commanded the Mashonaland Forces in the Mashonaland Rebellion in 1896-7, and on the arrival of Colonel Alderson, was placed in charge of the lines of communication, transport and supply from Beira to Salisbury, which was probably the most difficult part of the operations, owing to the guerrilla tactics employed by the rebels (mentioned in despatches, CMG and two clasps). In 1897 he was appointed Chief Inspector of Public Works for Rhodesia; JP for Mashonaland in 1898; was appointed Acting Manager of the Beira and Mashonaland Rlys. in 1901, and on the appointment of Mr Webberley as Manager, Colonel Beal became Assistant General Manager of the Beira and Mashonaland Rlys. and of the Rhodesia Rlys. (Northern extension), and Agent for the BSA Company in Beira. In the Boer War in 1899-1902, he organised the transport for the Rhodesia Field Force as Director of Transport with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (mentioned in despatches, and medal and clasp for Rhodesia). He still holds the hon. rank of Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Beal bears the reputation of being a man who will go anywhere and do anything, seemingly quite unable to recognise difficulties. His chief sports are big game shooting and yachting.

Rhodesia Regiment

Beal

Sidney

25497

Trooper

Source: Nominal roll in WO127

Commander-in-Chief's Bodyguard

Beal

1st Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA rolls

Imperial Light Horse

Beal

2nd Battalion
Source: QSA and KSA medal rolls