Lives of the First World War

Thomas Beynon was born to Thomas and Annie Beynon, both formerly of Breconshire, in Abercynon in around 1893-94 (possibly second quarter of 1893). Thomas the elder, possibly a bit of a rogue, had chalked up two convictions for drunkeness and three for non-payment of debt by late 1896. In the prison records he was described as a labourer, and in his probate record as a 'hitcher' (Hitcher 1894: a) Person putting waggons into the cage or b) Chief attendant at pit bottom). By 1901 the family, less Thomas the elder who had died in 1898, was living in Capcoch/Abercwmboi, Aberdare. In 1911 Thomas the younger was living at 19 Jenkin Street, Abercwmboi with his paternal grandfather, also Thomas, mother Annie and three sisters, Mary Rebecca, Rose Ann and Jane. His mother worked from home as a confectioner whilst Thomas worked on his own account as a butcher. Thomas is recorded as enlisting at Mountain Ash. He served with the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers and, after that battalion's disbandment on 10 February 1918, with the 2nd Entrenching Battalion. He was presumed dead on or since 11 April 1918, aged 25 and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. His effects, including a War Gratuity of £5, were split between his sister, Mary C [Beynon?] and his widow, also Mary.

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