Major Raymond Arthur Lewis Beeney
Royal Engineers

Early Life

Raymond was born in Chobham, Surrey on 10 December 1910. He was baptised on 19 February 1911 also in Chobham.

He was the son of Captain Herbert Beeney (a council surveyor from Guildford) and Clara (nee White, from Weybridge). 

He had two older sisters (Dorothy and Eva). At the time of Raymond's birth the family were living at the Surveyor's Office in Chobham.

At school Raymond was a keen cricketer representing the school many times and he was captain of East House. He also played for the school first XI football team and was noted as being 'a very good tackler and sure kick with either foot' but would be better still if he 'showed a little more energy'.

In 1928 he passed the Higher School Certificate with Intermediate Science and Engineering Certificates from London University.

Before The War

Raymond graduated from London University in 1931 with a first class BSc. Hons. in Engineering and became a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

He was then employed as Chief Assistant Civil Engineer in the City Engineering Department in Nottingham and was lodging with Mr and Mrs Simpson at 13 St Judes Avenue in 1939.

World War 2

Unfortunately not much is known of Raymond's life in the army. He received an emergency commission into the Royal Engineers as Second Lieutenant on 27 March 1942 (service number 225685). He was promoted to acting Major in early 1943.

He died on 10 February 1943, aged 32 in Algeria. 

At the time of Raymond's death Herbert and Clara were living in Southsea, Hampshire.

La Reunion Cemetery in Algeria

Raymond is buried in La Reunion War Cemetery, near Bejaia, Algeria (grave 5.A.14).

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