The Public Records Office in Kew, Surrey, holds military records for servicemen and women who have served in the UK armed forces. The WW1 records were partly destroyed by enemy bombing during the WW2, but the major part survived and can be viewed by researchers. The WW2 records are still subject to the 75 year privacy law and require payment and evidence of direct family relationship to be viewed. The following is a report recently prepared by Andy Begent on Begent WW1 records .

British Army records

First World War Campaign Medal Index  - Public Records Office reference WO 372
This index which is available on microfiche contains details on all
individuals eligible for campaign medals such as the British, Victory or
Star medals. Consequently it provides a useful index of some, though not
all, soldiers who participated in the war. I initially searched the index
for Begents and found the following. The roll and page references can be
used to search the actual medal roll wjich is available under class WO 329:

Rank    Number  Name       Corps    Medals          Roll         Page Comments

Gunner 105718 Albert Begent RGA  Victory & British medals RGA159B page 5935 

Lt 201541 Arthur Begent Northampton Regiment Victory & British medals
K1101B8 page 1320 

Gunner 2504 and 253809 Alfred E Begent RFA and RE Victory & British medals;
and 15 Star RE101B30 page 28751; and RE3C8 page 923 1st served France
theatre, entered 23/8/15; reserve from 6/4/19

Private 13277 then 447803 Benjamin T Begent R W Kent Regt then Labour
Corps Victory & British medals LC101B65 page 16775 

PW F/164 Charles Begent Middx Regt Victory & British medals E1102B page 40 

Private 49430 Charles Begent Manchester Regt Victory & British
medals H1104B23 page 4864 

Gunner 71182 Clarence W Begent RGA Victory & British medals RGA265B page
15696 

Private 307064 then 653683 Ernest E Begent W Rid R then Labour Corps Victory
& British medals LC101B265 page 27017 

Gunner 133624 Frederick H? Begent RE Victory & British medals RE101B72 page
15260 

Private 9808 F G Begent Essex Regiment Victory & British medals KH102B3 page
129 

Private SR/1026 George H Begent 13th/R Fusileers Victory & British medals;
and 15 Star SRTP104B page 69; and TP51A page 3 1st served France theatre,
entered 30/7/15

Gunner 159808 Harry B Begent RGA Victory & British medals RGA193B page 9358 

CSM 57124 Harry Charles Begent RE then Beds SD   Entry incomplete - roll
RE2572. Enlisted 6/11/14, discharged 7/11/18

Sapper then A/Cpl (T)1335 then 552247 Henry C Begent RE Victory & British
medals; and 15 Star RE101B210 page 51605; and RE12B page 4711 1st served
France theatre, entered 15/3/15

2/Cpl 126834 Percy C Begent RE Victory & British medals RE101B67 page 14207 

Private 9674 Thomas A Begent RGA Victory & British medals; and 15 Star A101B
page 77; and A11 page 33 1st served France theatre, entered 19/12/14. Dis
22/5/16

Private R/32742 Thomas Charles Begent KR Rif C Victory & British
medals M101B31 page 3874 

Private L/9724 W G Begent E Kent Regt Victory & British medals; and 14
Star E2102B14 page 2183; and E23 page 12 Clasp & roses - IV2091C d 26/8/21
Clasp 1/4116 entered France 7/9/14

Private G/24728 Wyndham H Begent The Queens Regt Victory & British
medals E1101B13 page 2441 

Private  6329 and GS/63214 William Robert Begent 3 London Regt and Royal
Fusileers Victory & British medals TP104B19 page 2561 

Private 1349 and 435084 Cyril A Beagent 10th London Regt and Labour
Corps Victory & British medals; &15 Star LC101B59 page 16164; and LC166C2
page B10219 Entered theatre 29/7/15

Private  46698 George Beagent MGC Victory & British medals MGC101B32 page
2907 

Private 6491 and 309357 Harold J Beagent RFC and Tank C Victory & British
medals TC101B19 page 3143 

Private 7563 and 493530 Stanley H Beagent 13 London Regt Victory & British
medals TP13/101133 page 319 returned (1743KR) 7956/adt


First World War Soldiers Documents WO 363
Over 60% of soldiers records were lost due to enemy actio in the second
world war. The surviving Begents were found under WO363 B1497. WO364 was not
checked.
The following provides a summary for each surviving Begent record. Copies of
the orginal records are available from teh PRO at Kew.

201541 Arthur Begent of 1/4 Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment - PRO ref
WO363 B1497 (microfilm)
Arthur Begentıs short service attestation took place on 31st July 1915 at
Warwick.
His record shows that he was aged 31 years and 9 months, five foot six and a
half inches tall, with a 34 inch chest that expanded by three inches. He was
unmarried, with no previous service, and was employed as a gamekeeper, and
was resident at The Gardens, Knowle House, Knowle (near Solihull). His next
of kin was his mother, Sarah Begent, of Hastingleigh, Kent. He was
transferred to the Northants Regiment on 13th February 1916.  The WW1
campaign medal roll shows that he attained the rank of Corporal.
He was discharged, aged 35, on 25th July 1919 and intended to live at Rose
Cottage, Walcot, Haselor, Alcester, Warwick. He had sustained 50% deafness
and was granted a pension of 20 shillings per week from 16th September 1919,
to be reviewed after 67 weeks.
He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory War Medal and signed a
receipt for those on 2nd September 1921.

Private 4930 Charles Begent of Manchester Regiment - PRO ref WO363 B1497
(microfilm)
Charles Begent was attested on 16th February 1916. His record shows that he
was aged 19 years and 5 months, weighed 126 pounds, was five foot six and a
half inches tall, with a chest measurement of 36 and a half inches that
could expand by 4 and a half inches. His next of kin was his mother Jennie
Begent of 6 Lees Street Gorton, and later of 1472 Ashton Old Road Openshaw.
After attestation he was placed in reserve and mobilised on 1st March 1917,
and posted as a Private the following day. His record shows that on 4th
January 1918 while serving with C Company of the 19th Battalion Manchester
Regiment he suffered a moderate/severe sprain to his right ankle when he
slipped while walking up duckboarding back from the front line. He was
awarded the British War Medal and the Victory War Medal.

Private F/164 Charles Begent of 17th and 23rd Middlesex Regiment - PRO ref
WO363 B1497 (microfilm)
Charles Begent was attested on 16th January 1915 at Hammersmith. At that
time he was described as 29 years and 5 months of age, employed as a brewers
labourer and resident at 36 Bransome Park Road in Hammersmith. He was five
foot eight and a quarter inches tall, with a 36 inch girth that could be
expanded by 3 inches. He weighed 130 pounds and had a mole on his right
abdomen. He was married to Ellen (nee Wenborn) of the same address. His
record shows that they had married on 4th August 1912 at St Johnıs Church
Hammersmith, and they had one child, Dorothy Louis Begent, who had been born
at South Hammersmith on 14th August 1913.
After his attestation he was immediately posted as a Private to the 17th
(Footballers) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. He was appointed unpaid
L/Cpl on 11th February 1915, and posted to the 23rd (2nd Footballers)
Battalion as a Private on 3rd July 1915. After his initial period of Home
service he was with the BEF in France from 3rd May 1916. He was appointed as
an unpaid L/Cpl on 1st September 1916, but was killed in action on 10th
October 1916. His service totalled 1 year and 208 days. His widow, then
living at 20 Albion Gardens, Ravenscourt, Hammersmith, was granted a pension
of 18 shillings and 9 pence per week from 7th May 1917. He was awarded the
British War Medal and the Victory War Medal.

Gunner 159808 Harry Charles Begent of the Royal Garrison Artillery - PRO ref
WO363 B1497 (microfilm)
Harry Charles Begent was attested on 8th May 1916. At that time he was
described as aged 31 years and 8 months, employed as a dispatch manager, and
living at 43 Bradmore Park Road in Hammersmith. He was 5 foot 7 inches tall,
with a girth of 37 and a half inches that could expand by 4 inches. His next
of kin was his wife Helen Begent of the same address. On 9th May 1916 he was
put in reserve and was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery on 7th May
1917. On 17th November 1917 he appeared before Major B P Hume and was given
five days OFP no 2ı  (imprisonment?) for neglect of duty the previous day.
He was discharged on 20th March 1919, aged 34, to 75 Milson Road, Kensington
W14 and granted a pension of 27 shillings and six pence per week from 21st
March 1919, then 24/9 pw from 26th June 1919 to be reviewed in 13 weeks. He
was given allowances for four children of 30/ pw from 7th April 1919 and
then 18/ pw from 25th June 1919. An undated note in his record remains,
showing that his correct address should be 3+5+7 Wenlock Road, City Road N1.

CSM Instructor 57124 Henry Charles Begent of the Royal Engineers - PRO ref
WO363 B1497 (microfilm)
Henry Charles Begent was attested at Hounslow on 6th November 1914. At that
time he was described as aged 50, a messenger, with previous service with
the Royal Engineers and resident at 87 Standard Road in Hounslow.. He was 5
foot 7 inches tall, weighed 163 pounds, had a 40 inch chest that could
expand 2 inches. He had grey eyes and brown hair and a large number of
tattoos across his chest and both arms. His record shows that he had married
Mary Ann Lydia Chase at Kings Chapel in Gibraltar on 1st June 1893.
On 7th November 1914 he was promoted from Sapper to CSMI, a rank he retained
until his discharge, on the grounds of his age (54 years), on 7th November
1918. He was granted a final weekly allowance of 7/6 from 20th November
1918, to be reviewed after 60 weeks.

126834 Percy Charles Begent  Royal Engineers - PRO ref WO363 B1497
(microfilm)
Percy Charles Begent was attested on 16th February 1916 at Chichester. He
was described as aged 18, born at Shepherdıs Bush, and employed as a
clerk-telegraphist, and resident at Elm Dene 66 Kipland Road in Worthing. He
was 5 foot 9 inches tall, weighed 132 pounds, and had a 37 inch chest that
could expand by 3 inches. On 17th February 1916 he was placed in reserve and
was mobilised on 23rd September 1916. He was awarded the British War Medal
and the Victory War Medal.


Soldiers service records 1883-1913 WO97
The book index in the microfilm room revealed the following Begent
references;
1883-1900 index - Begent under WO97 2283
1900-1913 index - Begent found under WO97 4338
I then ordered the original documents for checking and found;


WO97 4338 - no Begents found (1900-13)

Driver 1721 James Begent of the Royal Artillery - PRO ref WO97 2283
(original document)
James Begent was attested at Pembroke Dock on 28th September 1860. He was
described as aged 24 years and 7 months, born Kingston Surrey, 5 foot 4 and
seven-eights inches tall, with a fresh complexion and a chest of 33 and
3/12ths inches. He left the service on 7th May 1869, having served 9 years
137 days, and indicated that he intended to live at Kingston, Surrey.


Royal Air Force records

Index of Airmen AIR78/12
AIR78 is a microfilm index of names and service numbers of those that have
served in the RAF. I conducted a search for Begents and found the following;

Name            Number           Notes

Arthur George Beagent 1632112 militia
Basil James Beagent 540428 militia
H J Beagent 6471
Lily Eileen Beagent 458556 militia

A N Begent 155150 F
Alan James Begent 2486398 nba?
Annie Louie Begent 2142136 nr
Eric Begent 2359631 militia
Geoffrey Howard Begent 5068230
H G C Begent 216577 F
Herbert Julius Begent 1766586 KYD
John Thomas Begent 1609315
Ralph Begent 1289736 militia
Ronald Begent 2234129 militia

Having obtained the service number the original service record can be
requested from AIR79. The PRO only holds records under service number
320000, which meant that only two records could be accessed;

155150 Arthur Norris Begent of the Royal Air Force PRO ref AIR79 1392
(original document)
Arthur Norris Begentıs service record shows that he was born on 30th October
1900 at Canterbury. He was described as being 5 foot seven and a half inches
tall, with a chest of 32 and a half inches and with a civilian employment as
a motor mechanic. The person to be informed of his casualty was his father,
Richard John Begent, of Boxley Cottage, Stowting, Kent.
He entered the army (Royal Flying Corps) on 6th October 1917 for the
duration of the war, as a boyı. Initially he was posted to 1SFG. He
trasnferred to the RAF on its formation the following April. On 3rd August
1918 he was posted to 1FS and on 30th October 1918, his eighteenth birthday,
his Omanı service began and he was rank was described as Private 2 with a
trade of Fitter AE (aircraft engines?). On 1st January 1919 he was
reclassified as Aircraftsman 2nd Class, and a few days later on 28th January
1919 he voluntarily extended his service for another 4 years. He was posted
to Turnberry on 21st June 1919, ERPD Renfrew on 14th September 1919, and
Montrose on 16th October 1919. However, he was discharged from the service
on 27th April 1920 from Uxbridge due to heart troubleı. He was awarded a
20% pension of 8 shillings per week from 28th April 1920 to 26th October
1920.

216577 Henry George Charles Begent of the Royal Air Force PRO ref AIR79 1949
(original document)
Henry George Charles Begent joined the Royal Navy Air Service for the
duration of the war on 14th June 1916.  According to his record he had been
born at Hammersmith on 19th July 1890 and worked as a clerk in civilian
life. His wife Beatrice lived at 7 Tabor Road in Hammersmith. He was
described as 5 foot 6 and a quarter inches tall, with a 33 inch chest, dark
hair, brown hair with a medium complexion and no scars. He was posted as an
Aircraftsman 2nd Class (AC2) on joining on 14th June 1916, initially at
Kingsnorth, and promoted to AC1 on 30th April 1917. He transferred to the
RAF on its inception on 1st April 1918 and was discharged as a class g
reserve on 30th April 1920. Prior to leaving the service he had been
transferred to Cranwell on 20th March 1919 and Prices Heath on 26th June
1919.


Royal Navy records

Ratings Service Records 1853-1891, 1892-1912, 1913-1923 (ADM 188)
I first checked the indexes on microfilm to look for any Begents in these
three periods. I found the following;

Ref        Name          Number(s)     DOB       Joined   Place of birth

ADM188 246 Thomas Begent 75836 & 71523 15 Feb 1838 1858 Hythe Kent
ADM188 1133 none
ADM188 1156 Sydney Thomas Edgar Begent J36186 1898 1915 Paddington
ADM188 1156 Henry George Begent F16577 1890 1916 Hammersmith

Although I ordered the original documents under ADM188 64, 628 and 593
respectively, unfortunately I did not have time to view them.

From RNVR records held at PRO Yeovilton:

L9/2967 AB Jas. Henry Begent RNVR Joined Hawke Bn. 7/9/14. Escaped 
from Holland between 6/7/15 & 16/7/15. HMS "Europa" (Base ship Mudros) 
25/11/15-7/3/16. Listed in the 1914 Star roll as receiving his medal 
17/6/19 at the HQ RNVR London; & his Clasp & Roses to the 1914 Star 
21/12/20. (Also entitled to the British War & Victory Medal)