Gerald Beaumont

From - http://www.stanleyhistoryonline.com/Hatfeild-Hall.html (attached)

"When war broke out my father [George] enlisted at once and the Pater [his father Herbert] invited my mother to bring her three children and run Hatfeild. The latter proved an admirable housekeeper for her father in law. It could have been a daunting challenge as there were three outdoor servants and four or five indoor ones and she brought a maid, nanny and three children. Germany overran much of Belgium in 1914 and in response to a national appeal to those in large houses with rooms to spare, the Pater - very patriotic - took in a family of Belgian refugees. Monsieur and Madame Petere and their sixteen year old son, Georges. Madame was often in tears and neither she nor Georges spoke any English so my mothers French came in useful. After the disastrous Gallipoli campaign in 1916, invalid solders who must have got back to England on one of the ships organised by Betty’s grandfather, Vice Admiral Sir James Porter, came for convalescence. There were Canadian remount horses in the stables, which Aunt Flo and her cousin Elsie would ride. All this kept my mother busy and no doubt whatever her anxieties were about my father - made her feel, to use the then war time phrase, that she was “doing her bit”. In due course the Petere’s left, Monsieur to get back to occupied Belgium as a secret agent and Georges to join the Belgium Army at eighteen and be killed. Whenever after the war, and after the second war also, Monsieur came to England he went to see my mother - the last time when both were well into their 70s.

from https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk (subscription needed)

• First Name: Gerald
• Initials: G
• Surname: Beaumont
• Nationality: British
• Rank: Captain
• Rank (2nd): Acting Major
• Gallantry Awards: Military Cross

• Gazette Info: Gazette No. 30450. Military Cross. The KING has been graciously please to approve of the reward of the Military Cross for distinguished service in the Field.
  
• Gazette Date: 28/12/1917
  
• Gazette Page: 31
  

AND

• Award Details: New Year Honours List
  
• Gazette Info: 31
  
• Gazette Date: 01/01/1918
  

AND

• Gazette Info: 4319
  
• Gazette Date: 02/04/1919 AND
  
• Gazette Info: Gazette Issue No. 31680. Bar to M.C. Has been awarded a Bar to the Military Cross. For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership between Orsinval and Neuf Mesnil from 4th to 9th November, 1918. On 4th November, 1918, owing to the smoke barrage, it was impossible to see how the action was progressing; he, therefore, went up to the front, and in spite of heavy artillery and machine gun fire kept continually moving from one to the other of his companies directing their movements, until the objective was gained. On 8th November, 1918, he again distinguished himself in the same manner, setting a fine example to his men.
  
• Gazette Date: 09/12/1919
  
• Gazette Page: 15296
  

• Duty Location: France & Flanders
• Service: British Army
• Regiment: Yorkshire Light Infantry (2/4)
• Service: BA
• Collection: Gazetted Awards and Mentions in Despatches