William Beale enlisted 29 January 1929, civil occupation Tyre Builder. He volunteered for the Commandos in WW2 and was attached to No.7 Commando embarking for the Middle East as part of Layforce. Layforce was disbanded towards the end of 1941, the commandos dispersed to other specialist units or infantry. Corporal Beale, 'D' Squadron, Middle East Commandos, was reported missing 14 June 1942 later confirmed a prisoner of war at Tobruk. After liberation in 1945 he was residing in Isleworth, Middlesex.
 
Sources
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/53, 55, and 94.
Prisoners of War / National Archives files WO392/1 and WO392/21.
Dir. of Mil. Int.: Liberated Prisoner of War Interrogation Questionnaire 1945/6 / National Archives file WO344/22/1.