Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

Frederick Walter Bean was born on 25 October 1891 at Rangiora, the eldest in the family of Paul Eugene Bean and Ida née Simpson. In September 1902, Frederick, his sister Ida Mary Bean and brother Roy Eugene Bean, were admitted to Featherson School from Stirling in South Otago. Almost two years later, they left for Lyttelton School. Their father was a station master and moved about the country. By 1912 he was stationed at Timaru, where the three youngest children attended Timaru Main School, moving back to Lyttelton a few years later. Frederick Walter Bean, a bank clerk with the Union Bank of Australia, was at Timaru in 1914, along with his parents and siblings. In Timaru he took an active part in the boy Scout movement for some time before he was transferred to Wellington late in 1914.

He was an accountant with the bank at Ohura when he enlisted there on 9 December 1916. He was medically examined that same day. He stood at 5 feet 6 inches, with a chest measurement of 34-36½ inches, a medium complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. His sight was not particularly good, the right eye worse than the left. His hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal; his limbs and chest well formed. He had had no illnesses or diseases, was well vaccinated and in good bodily and mental health. On 9 January 1917 he was certified fit. Single and of Church of England affiliation, he named his father as next-of-kin – Paul Eugene Bean, Cressy Terrace, Lyttelton. F. W. Bean was among the local men for the 25th Reinforcements who entrained at Wanganui for camp on 9 January. They marched to the Railway Station headed by the Garrison Band and escorted by the National Reserve.

Driver F. W. Bean embarked with the Army Service Corps of the 24th Reinforcements, departing from Wellington on 26 April 1917 per the “Pakeha”. Disembarking at Sydney on 2 May, he re-embarked there a week later, then disembarked at Devonport, England on 28 July. Having marched into Sling on 29 July 1917, he was transferred as Private to the 4th Reserve Battalion Canterbury Infantry Regiment on 27 October and proceeded overseas to France on 2 December. While he was with his Unit on 28 August 1918, he was evacuated and admitted to hospital – No. 2 New Zealand Field Ambulance - on 31 August. On 4 September he was admitted to No. 3 Casualty Clearing Station, on 6 September to No. 6 General Hospital at Rouen, and on 9 September to No. 2 Convalescent Depot at Rouen. He had been wounded on 31 August – gunshot wound to right hand, or a barbed wire (enemy) laceration wound to hands. He was transferred to Base Depot at Etaples and marched in on 8 October 1918, only to be admitted to No. 5 General Hospital the next day. He had been attached to the New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot at Etaples, France. Admitted to the 56th General Hospital on 10 October 1918, suffering with boils, he was transferred to No. 6 Convalescent Depot on 17 October, and from there to No. 5 Convalescent Depot on 19 October.

All was good at his medical examination at Sling on 7 April 1919. Bean returned to New Zealand per the “Maunganui”, embarking at Liverpool on 17 May 1919 and disembarking on 23 June 1919, probably at Port Chalmers. Frederick Walter Bean was discharged on 21 July 1919, on the termination of his period of engagement, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His intended address was initially that of his parents. It later became C/o Union Bank of Australia, Waimate.

A banquet, held under the auspices of the Lyttelton Citizens’ Peace Committee, was held in the Lyttelton Club Hall on 25 September 1919 in honour of the soldiers who had returned from the front since June last. The Mayor delivered an address of welcome. Among the many guests of the evening was F. W. Bean. Frederick returned to his bank employment, remaining in the one profession for his working life. By October 1919, Mr F. W. Bean was on his way to Invercargill to fill a position in the Union Bank of Australia there; and by 1921 he was in the Bank’s employ at Waimate. In July 1921 the Waimate Tennis Club was formed, Mr F. W. Bean being elected auditor and proposed as a new member. Frederick had, it seems, inherited his father’s love of tennis. He was selected to play for Waimate against Wai-iti (Timaru) in December 1921, by which time he was the club secretary. In January 1922 he was elected Waimate representative of the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association. He was also selected for the Waimate A grade team to play in Timaru, becoming a regular in inter-club matches. When the Tennis Club held a very successful and enjoyable flannel dance in the Band Hall in February 1922, the arrangements were admirably carried out by the secretary, Mr Bean. In March, however, Mr F. W. Bean, of the Waimate branch of the Union Bank of Australia, received notice of his promotion to acting manager at Kaikohe, “which is situated some miles north of Whangarei”, and was expected to leave Waimate in a week or two. “The local Tennis Club held a most enjoyable flannel dance in the Silver Band Hall last night, the majority of the club members being present, together with several visitors from other sports bodies. The floor, which was in excellent condition, was fully occupied by the dancers, who were kept merrily going to the tuneful music supplied by Messrs Bohm and Reynolds. A dainty supper was provided by the ladies, and handed round at intervals. During the evening, an opportunity was taken to bid farewell to Mr F. Bean, who is about to leave the district. The president, Mr Tweedy, in a happy little speech, referred to Mr Bean’s ability as a tennis player and the capable manner in winch he had carried out his secretarial duties, and said it must be a pleasure to Mr Bean to know how much the Club had advanced since he had first joined them. They could not let him go without giving him some little token of their esteem, and he had great pleasure in asking Mr Bean to accept their gift (a case of Loewe pipes) in the hope that it might bring back to him pleasant memories of the Waimate Tennis Club. Mr Bean suitably responded.” [Waimate Daily Advertiser, 10 March 1922.] “Mr AF. W. Bean, who for some time has been teller in the Union Bank, Waimate, and who has been transferred to Kaikohe, North Auckland, left yesterday and was farewelled at the station by a large number of friends. Mr Bean has acted as secretary of the Waimate Tennis Club during his residence in Waimate, and at a tennis club dance held last week-end, the opportunity of making a formal farewell to him was taken. During the course of the evening the president of the club, Mr W. Tweedy, asked Mr Bean’s acceptance of a case of pipes, conveying with it the best wishes of the club for the future. The president spoke of the great service rendered to the club by Mr Bean in his capacity of secretary, and expressed the regret that was felt at his departure, though all joined in congratulating him on his promotion. Mr Bean made a suitable response.” [Timaru Herald, 14 March 1922.]

In mid-March 1922, the engagement was announced of Miss Hazel Manchester, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs G. A. Manchester, Waimate, to Mr F. W. Bean, of Kaikohe, North Auckland, eldest son of Mr and Mrs P. E. Bean, Riccarton road, Christchurch. Miss H. Manchester and Bean had played together in the Waimate Tennis Club’s combined handicap in February 1922. Frederick Walter Bean and Hazel Minnie Manchester, a popular bride, married at St Paul’s Methodist Church, Waimate, on 24 September 1924. The first evening wedding to be held in the borough, it “drew a very large attendance of the public, as well as the guests, the church and gallery being filled to overflowing, while an eager crowd of onlookers gathered at the gates and lined the pathway to the church.” The bridesmaids were Hazel’s sister Gladys Manchester and Frederick’s sister Ada Bean. Frederick’s brother, Bert Bean (Albert George Bean), of Christchurch was best man. The newly-weds left for their honeymoon in the south later in the evening, before settling in Kaikohe.

Soon after moving to Kaikohe, Frederick was again into tennis, and filled the roles of secretary, treasurer and vice-president. He also got into debating, defending the motion “That in view of modern feminism, men should take a course in domestic science”, at a meeting of the Winter Club in May 1927. Both Mrs and Mr Bean were elected to the committee of the Kaikohe Golf Club at the annual meeting in June 1927. A week later, Mr F. W. Bean was re-elected treasurer at the annual meeting of parishioners of St Stephen’s; he was also elected a representative on the Central Vestry. Later in the month he was elected to a committee set up for purchasing and re-establishing the Maternity Hospital at Kaikohe. This cause would have been much in his interests as four children were born to Hazel and Frederick when they resided at Kaikohe. He also subscribed to and served on the committee of the public library, and was honorary treasurer of the Kaikohe Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society. At the Kaikohe Golf Club’s annual ball in August 1927, “Mr F. W. Bean fulfilled the arduous duties of M.C. in a most efficient manner”, and Mrs Bean wore a dress of shot turquoise taffeta with Chantilly lace insets. Mrs Bean was a leading golf player. Elected treasurer of the Kaikohe School Committee in 1928, Mr Bean served on the committee for some years. Mr Bean was placed first for his onions at the 1929 A. and P. Show.

When the Kaikohe branch of the Union Bank of Australia closed down in April 1934, the manager Mr F. W. Bean received a appointment to the Gisborne branch. While in the district, he served on the Mangapapa Boy Scout committee, his oldest son Robert being a leader of the pack. As chairman of the Mngapapa Scout Committee, he presented badges to nine new recruits in November 1938, congratulating each boy on joining up and expressing the hope that they would live up to their promise. After five years in Gisborne, Mr Bean and family were again on the move, with his appointment on promotion to manager at Geraldine, effective from 1 December 1939. He was soon immersed in local activity – appointed treasurer of the Geraldine District Farewell Committee which made presentations to all men leaving for overseas service; playing for the Geraldine Bowling Club; being elected to the Geraldine District High School Committee (secretary); assisting with the annual Poppy Day appeal; elected auditor of the Red Cross, the Geraldine Sports Association, the Geraldine Swimming Club, the Geraldine Collie Dog Club, the Geraldine Bowling Club, honorary auditor of the Geraldine Plunket Society, and appointed auditor of the Geraldine Racing Club; serving on the Geraldine R.S.A. committee. In May 1940 he won the men’s junior medal at the Geraldine Ladies’ Golf Club tournament in aid of Red Cross funds, golf becoming a regular activity. He was present at the meeting of the Geraldine Returned Soldiers’ Association in October 1940 which considered the formation of the Home Guard. Corporal F. W. Bean was appointed n.c.o. of B Company, No. 1 Platoon, when all units of the Home Guard paraded on 3 February 1941.

When a women’s section of the Geraldine Returned Services’ Association was formed in March 1942, Mrs F. W. Bean was elected to the committee. Mr Bean served on the executive of the Geraldine R.S.A. In June 1942, Mr and Mrs Bean played together for the Tripp Cup at golf. Sadly, Hazel Minnie Bean died at Timaru on 27 January 1943. She was buried at the Geraldine Cemetery. A motion of sympathy with Mr F W. Bean in the death of his wife was carried in silence at a meeting of the Geraldine District High School Committee, and a resolution of sympathy with Mr F. W. Bean in his recent bereavement was carried in silence at a meeting of the Geraldine branch of the Returned Services’ Association. Shortly after, Mr Bean was appointed honorary treasurer of the Geraldine and Environs Patriotic District. The passing of Mrs F. W. Bean and two former members of the club who had been killed on active service was referred to at the annual meeting of the Geraldine Tennis Club in October 1943, when members stood in silence as a mark of respect. In 1944, Mr F. W. Bean retired from the Geraldine District High School committee. In July of that year, he took a part in one of four one-act comedies staged by the Geraldine Players in the Town Hall which delighted a large audience. As a result of the evening the Geraldine Soldiers’ Presentation Fund benefited by £5l/3/-. He was also elected to the executive of the newly formed District War Loan Committee at a public meeting held in the Geraldine Borough Council Chambers. In May 1945, he was appointed chairman of the committee. As of 1945, Mr Bean was still manager of the Geraldine branch of the Union Bank of Australia. In September 1945 he again took part in a one-act play, this one presented at a concert in the Theatre Royal (Timaru) to welcome home many returned service personnel of the district.

In 1946, Frederick Bean married Ivy Alice Henry, a Geraldine local. They enjoyed nineteen years together at Geraldine, Frederick retiring in the mid-1950s. In 1956 Ivy represented the women’s section of the Geraldine Home Servicemen’s Association. In 1959, Mr F. W. Bean was elected a vice-president and auditor of the Geraldine Cricket Club. Frederick Walter Bean died at his Geraldine residence on 2 October 1965, aged 73 years 11 months. Following a service at St Mary’s Church, Geraldine, he was buried in the Geraldine Cemetery, a services plaque marking his grave. Geraldine RSA members paraded at the cemetery and Geraldine Lodge brethren attended the funeral. He was survived by his second wife, three sons and one daughter. He appointed his two eldest sons – Robert Maxwell Roy Bean and David Maitland Bean, both school masters – as executors and trustees of his estate. If either of these sons predeceased him, his third son – Michael Dallas Bean – would be appointed to act. He made provision (housing, furniture, car and other benefits) for his wife. After her death, the residue of his estate was to be divided among his children. Both Hazel Minnie Bean (1943) and Ivy Alice Bean (1990) are buried at Geraldine. Frederick’s brother, Roy Eugene Bean, died of wounds on 6 June 1917 at Messines. A special service was held at St Saviour’s Church, Lyttelton, on 25 April 1918 when a Roll of Honour of those who had left West Lyttelton for service at the front was unveiled. First named on the Roll of Honour was Roy Bean and amongst the wounded was Frederick Bean. Roy is remembered on his parents’ gravestone at Waimairi Cemetery. Paul Eugene Bean died suddenly on 2 May 1934 while playing tennis. “Beano” was a very enthusiastic and popular tennis player, “the most remarkable of all the tennis veterans of Christchurch, and possibly of New Zealand”. Ida Bean died at her Christchurch residence on 10 December 1948.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [28 August 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives New Zealand ref. AABK 18805 W5520 0012865) [26 April 2015]; Geraldine Cemetery headstone images (Timaru District Council) [04 July 2015]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [25 January 2016]; School Admission record (Wairarapa Branch NZSG); Evening Post, 17 December 1914, Wanganui Chronicle, 10 January 1917, Press, 26 April 1918, 27 September 1919, 5 November 1919, 16 March 1922, 29 September 1924, 3 & 5 May 1934, 15 October 1959, 4 October 1965, Lyttelton Times, 26 April 1918, Ashburton Guardian, 18 September 1918, NZ Times, 14 June 1919, Southland Times, 1 November 1919, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 21 July 1921, 21 November 1921, 14 December 1921, 19 & 20 January 1922, 6 & 18 February 1922, 1, 2 & 10 March 1922, 27 April 1922, 25 September 1924, 8 February 1927, Timaru Herald, 19 January 1922, 3, 10 & 14 March 1922, 13 October 1922, 21 February 1940, 17, 18, 19 & 24 April 1940, 27 May 1940, 24 October 1940, 6 November 1940, 1 & 3 February 1941, 10 & 17 April 1941, 23 July 1941, 23 March 1942, 16 May 1942, 28 January 1943, 15 February 1943, 9 & 10 March 1943, 20 October 1943, 29 April 1944, 8 & 19 April 1944, 6 January 1945, 3 February 1945, 4 May 1945, 11 September 1945, Northern Advocate, 12 December 1923, 18 January 1927, 19 May 1927, 8, 14 & 25 June 1927, 1, 12 & 20 August 1927, 29 September 1927, 13 & 19 March 1929, 29 September 1933, 19 April 1934, NZ Herald, 4 May 1928, 30 April 1931, Auckland Star, 19 April 1930, 3 May 1934, Poverty Bay Herald, 21 July 1938, 17 November 1938, Evening Post, 24 November 1939, Gisborne Herald, 24 November 1939 (Papers Past) [13 July 2015; 25 March 2025]; Timaru Herald, 4 October 1965 (Timaru District Library) [17 February 2016]; Probate record (Archives NZ/FamilySearch) [28 June 2016]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [25 March 2025]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS