66 William Street

Private George Henry Beechey

George Beechey was one of the rare veterans to have served in both the First and Second World Wars. He was born in Leicestershire England in 1894. His family emigrated to Canada when he was 19 years old. He was working in the Sweater Department of Penmans Ltd when he enlisted with the 2nd Dragoons. During World War 1, the 2nd Dragoons primarily served on local protection duties, with details of the regiment guarding the Welland Canal. However, the regiment also provided over a thousand volunteers for various Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) units, with some personnel eventually fighting with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in France. The regiment itself was not mobilized overseas but played a crucial role in supporting the war effort by supplying manpower for the overseas forces. An article in the Paris Star in November 1916 referred to a telegram announcing that Private George Beechey had been wounded, but it did not state whether he was injured when he was on domestic duties or overseas. He remained in military service until the end of the war.

By the time of WWII, he and his wife Emily Ball had a family and lived at 97 Grand River Street. They operated a variety store on Queen Street for many years. There is at this time no record of George’s service during WW2, but it seems likely that he enlisted with the Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles, as many older veterans did.

After the war, George and Emily moved to 66 William Street in Paris, just one house from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29. George was a lifelong member of the Legion. He and Emily had one daughter and six sons, at least one of whom, George Jr, also served during WW2. At the time of his death In August 1974, they had 23 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. They were lifelong members of St James Anglican Church. George died in his 81st year, and at his funeral, members of Branch 29, Branch 90 and the Ex-Imperial Club formed a guard of honour.