Regiment/Service:
Labour Corps (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
20/05/1886
Summary
Alexander Beattie was the son of Henry and Eliza Beattie. He was born in Ballydawley on 20th May 1886. He was one of eight children, seven surviving. They were a farming family. Alexander was employed in Messrs Elliott & Sons for a time. Around 1908, Alexander emigrated to the America. Prior to enlisting, Alexander was employed as a grocer in Philadelphia. He enlisted in Philadelphia in March 1918. It seems that because of varicose veins, he never got to the front. After demobilisation in February 1919, Alexander Beattie returned to Philadelphia.
| The History of Coagh booklet lists Alexander Beattie as having served.
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| Alexander Beattie was the son of Henry and Eliza Beattie. Henry Beattie and Eliza Hamilton were married on 22nd November 1873 in the district of Cookstown
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| Alexander Beattie was born in Ballydawley on 20th May 1886. He was one of eight children, seven surviving.
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| Known family: Henry Beattie, Eliza Beattie, Mary Beattie (born 16th July 1876), Hamilton Beattie (born 7th February 1879), Henry Beattie (born 1st May 1881) R William Beattie (born about 1870), Eliza Sarah Beattie (born 22nd December 1883), Alexander Beattie (born 20th May 1886), John Hamilton Beattie (born 27th September 1890), Margaret Beattie (born 1st August 1893, died 19th May 1898, aged 5).
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| The 1901 census lists Alexander as age 14 living with the family at house 11 in Ballydawley, Springhill, County Londonderry. They were a farming family. Alexander was still at school.
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| Alexander Beattie was employed as foreman in Messrs Elliott & Sons for a time.
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| The 1911 census does not list Alexander as living with the family at house 5 in Ballydawley, Springhill.
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| Around 1908, Alexander emigrated to the United States of America.
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| Prior to enlisting, Alexander was employed as a grocer. He gave his address as 2030 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia.
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| Alexander enlisted in Philadelphia on 11th March 1918. He gave his next of kin as Henry Beattie, his father, who was living at Ballydawley, Coagh, County Tyrone.
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| Private Beattie was with 3rd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers, then transferred to Royal Defence Corps 261 Company, and then it seems back to the 3rd Reserve Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers.
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| In June 1918, Private Beattie was home on leave in Ballydawley.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd June 1918: Coagh
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| Another young soldier, Private Alex Beattie, Royal Munster Fusiliers (son of Mr Henry Beattie, Ballydawley), has also been at home on leave. About ten years ago he emigrated to Philadelphia, where he joined up in December last. Before going to America, he was employed as foreman in Messrs Elliott & Sons.
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| On 12th October 1918 Private Beattie was transferred to B Company, 1st Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment, Service No. No 63193
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| Private Beattie later transferred to Labour Corps with the Service No 683906.
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| Private Beattie suffered from varicose veins.
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| After demobilisation in February 1919, Alexander Beattie returned to Philadelphia.
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| A quite lengthy process then took place where Alexander attempted to claim repatriation expenses. The documents are attached.
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