Eric remembers fighting in the Battle of El Alamein in 1942

He was born in Edlington, South Yorkshire, England on October 21. 1916 and immigrated to South Africa at the age
of 22 in 1938.

As a youngster he played football in England, but couldn’t start his professional football career as he had already planned on immigrating to South Africa.
Upon arrival in SA, he started working at Daggafontein

Mine where he stayed until he joined the South African Army.

Eric says they received their military training in Barberton before leaving for World War II.

He still remembers how they boarded a South African Dakota to fly to Kenya, took a ‘lorrie’ to Mombasa.

He says from their they boarded a ship to Egypt.

This 1942 battle was scheduled was scheduled to start on his birthday, but due to a full moon it was postponed until October 23.

“It was expected the battle would only last a few days, but it went on for about two weeks,” says Eric.

During the first four days of the battle 6 000 casualties were reported including the 734 South Africans.

According to Eric the 1 000 canons’ 25 pounders, all flashed at once turning night into broad daylight.

Being so close to the canons, it damaged his left ear and caused a perforated eardrum.

He remembers seeing most of his fellow troops with blood running from their ears at the time.

When the war ended in 1945, he returned to Springs to work at Daggafontein Mine.

In 1949 he married Springs girl Iris Moffat, the daughter of the late George Moffat, who was a Springs town councillor during the war.

He started working at Pilkingtons Pioneer in 1950, when it was only a hole in the ground.

He helped to establish the warehouse packing, dispatching and was the foreman for several years.

Living in Springs most of his life he played football and was captain and coach of the Springs Town football team.

Being an active man he formed a cricket and football team at Pilkington’s Recreation Club while he was working there.

After his retirement in 1981 he stayed at home with Iris until she died in 2011.

When he was attacked by his gardener recently, the family decided to relocate him to Springs Retirement Village.

Living in Springs most of his life he played footbaal and was captain of the Springs Town football team.

Being an active man he formed cricket and football teams at Pilkington’s Recreation Club.

He played bowls for many years at Springs Town Bowling Club and remembered beating a South African Springbok bowler once.

Although he played his last bowling game at the age of 92 he still loves watching soccer, cricket and rugby on TV.

He supports Newcastle soccer, England cricket and the Sharks rugby teams.

Eric has been a member of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moths) for over 50 years and still attends the meetings, depending on his health.

As longest serving member of the Professional Business
Men’s Organisation (Probus) he still enjoys the gatherings and has been a member for 23 years.

Eric’s son Robert Beardsley, his wife Sharon and sons, Matthew and Richard, live in Selection Park.

Despite his age, Eric is in good health and is still able to get around and has made many friends since his arrival at Springs Retirement Village.