Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 14 March 1930 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 page; 2 sides; headed; manuscript
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
1891: Born, Ireland
1908: Ordained
1916: Volunteered in WW1
1948: Died
Monsignor "Harry" Beauchamp was born in Rosenallis, Co. Laois, on 9th June 1881. Educated at the Franciscan Brothers School at Clara; Knockbeg College from 1897 to 1903; Theology course in Maynooth from 1903 to 1907. He was ordained in St. Patrick's College, Carlow, on 4th April 1908.
April 1916, he volunteered in WW1 and joined the Royal Army Chaplains' Department, to be appointed a temporary chaplain to the Forces. In 1917 he was awarded the MC for bravery under fire. Fr. Beauchamp transferred from the Royal Army to the Royal Air Force in 1919 at Halton and was appointed Principal Chaplain in 1929.
He was one of the most decorated chaplains with many distinctions. In 1940, a Group Captain, he was appointed Papal Chamberlain and Vicar General, and later a Domestic Prelate. In 1945 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was holder of the CBF and was awarded the Belgian Military Cross by the Regent of Belgium. The president of the Czechoslovakian Republic conferred on him the Medal of Merit First Class, and he was the recipient of the Military Cross First Class of Poland.
In 1948 he travelled from Dublin to Carlow to visit old school friends, but on arrival felt unwell and was taken to St. Brigid's Hospital, Carlow. He died three days later, on 26th April, of pneumonia. He was interred in St. Mary's Cemetery, Carlow, and many dignitaries from the Royal Air Force attended.
Repository
Archival history
pre-2018: XNP4
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
RCDEA Archive
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Had both the Bishop's Pastoral Letter and a copy of the Pope's letter on the Russian Question. Read the letter to his congregation and asked for their prayers - anticipating the Army Council's "order or rather request". Protested to the Air Ministry and received a response that the Army Council's order only affected compulsory parades - hence officiating chaplains are not affected by the Army Council's request - not an order - can decide how they respond or not.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
PA21
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
190x241mm
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Cary-Elwes, Dudley Charles Rev (1868-1932) (Subject)
- Pius XI (1857-1939) (Subject)