In loving memory of my dear husband who made the supreme sacrifice
Lance Corporal Delbert Bean the son of Eugene and Nina Bean, of North Hatley, Quebec, Canada. Husband of Ethel Bean (Nee Smith), of 808, East 14th St., Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
North Hatley
In 1792, Captain Ebenezer Hovey, an American from Connecticut found Lake Massawippi, south of Montreal. Like Magog, Memphrémagog, Coaticook, and Megantic, Massawippi stems from an Abenaki word meaning abundance of clear water.
In 1803, the Hatley Township granted to Ebenezer Hovey and to Henry Cull, an English businessman, and their associates. In 1830, the land that made up Massawippi Outlet, essentially belonged to three families – the Culls, the Wadleighs and the LeBarons – whose descendants still live in the area. With the opening of the first post office around 1859, Massawippi Outlet took on the name of North Hatley.
Delbert Bean born on 15 August 1896 in North Hatley, Estrie Region, Quebec, Canada. The son of Eugene Valentine Bean and Nina M Emery Bean. Later husband of Ethel Bean (née Smith), of 808, East 14th St., Chester, Pennsylvania. He had three brothers and two sisters.
Enlistment of Private Delbert Bean
Pte Delbert Bean 27303 enlisted with the 15th Battalion on 26 August 1914 and soon transferred to the Canadian Cyclist Corps. Previous service with 26th Dragoons for two years. He stood 5′ 10″ tall,175 pounds, with dark complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair.
Transferred to 1st Canadian Divisional Cyclist Company on 1 April 1915 at Shorncliffe.
1st Canadian Divisional Cyclist Company
1st Canadian Divisional Cyclist Company organized at Valcartier in September 1914 initially under the command of Captain R S Robinson. Left Quebec 29 September 1914 aboard RUTHENIA, and later arrived in England 15 October 1914 with a strength of 5 officers, 88 other ranks. Arrived in France 10 February 1915 with the 1st Canadian Division, and later absorbed by Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion in May 1916.
Pte Delbert Bean fined 10 days pay for misconduct, 21 November 1915 in France.
A few months later, on 6 February 1916, awarded 21 Days F.P. No. 1 for drunkeness. To Provisional Provost Prison.
Pte Delbert Bean On Command as Guard, Divisional Grenade School, 29 March 1916, later returning to duty on 8 April 1916.
Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion
Organized at Abeele in May 1916 initially under the command of Major A. McMillan and formed by amalgamating 1st, 2nd, 3rd Canadian Divisional Cyclist Companies.
Pte Bean granted leave of absence in the field, 21 May 1916, and later returned to his unit on 31 May. Attach to APM (Assistant Provost Marshal), in the Field, 12 June 1916, and returned to duty on 31 July 1916.
On Command in Charge of Prisoners of War, in the Field, 14 September 1916 to 18 October 1916. Rejoined unit on 18 October 1916.
Private Delbert Bean Attached to Corps APM, 22 March 1917. Rejoined unit on 20 June 1917.
To O Y Dump, Dieval, 21 August 1917. Rejoined unit 11 October 1917.
Attached to Atlantic Dump, 15 October 1917. Rejoined unit 21 October 1917.
On Leave from 22 October 1917, rejoining unit on 3 November 1917.
Attached Atlantic Dump, 13 November 1917. Rejoined unit on 16 November 1917.
Good Conduct Badge
Awarded One Good Conduct Badge, 6 February 1918.
Granted permission to marry, 27 March 1918. Mrs Ethel Winifred Bean, 35-5th Avenue, Montreal.
Appointed Lance Corporal, in the Field, 26 August 1918.
Lance Corporal Delbert Bean died only two days before the cease fire, 9 November 1918.
Military Medal
Lance Corporal Delbert Bean awarded the Military Medal posthumously, London Gazette No 31227, 13 March 1919.
Also commemorated on the North Hatley, Quebec, Memorial as Adelbert Bean.
His death mentioned in the War Diary report of “A” Company, Canadian Corps Cyclists of 9 November 1918.
Cuesmes Communal Cemetery
Cuesmes Communal Cemetery contains 47 Commonwealth burials of the Great War, 38 of which unidentified. The casualties date from August 1914 (some of the very first casualties of the Great War) and October-December 1918 (some of the last casualties), and in most cases they were brought into the cemetery after the Armistice.
CUESMES COMMUAL CEMETERY located 2 km west of Mons. From the R50 Mons ring road the N6 leads southwards towards Maubeuge. 700 metres along the N6 Avenue General De Gaulle lies the right hand turning onto the N544 Chaussee de Cuesmes. 2 km along the N544 lies the village of Cuesmes. On reaching the village the cemetery located 300 metres beyond the village square on the right hand side of the Rue de Frameries. Visitors should note that this site restricted to normal cemetery opening hours.
Lance Corporal Delbert Bean’s widow now living at 808 East 14th Street, Chester, Pennsylvania in 1923.