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Beeley won the Victoria Cross for his action on 21st Nov 1941. At Sidi Rezegh, Libya, Beeley's company of the KRRC were attacking the airfield but pinned down by short range rifle fire. All the officers were wounded, so on his own initiative, he ran forward over open ground, firing his Bren gun. At a range of 20 yards he managed to put an anti-tank gun out of action, also two machine guns. It was an act of self sacrifice because he was an easy target. He was killed but his bravery inspired the other men to renew their efforts. They achieved their objective, capturing the airfield and rounding up 700 prisoners.
John Beeley was born in Manchester on 8th Feb 1918. He was buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, North Africa. |
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