Major Brian De La Poer Beresford
- Rank
- Major
- Service number
- WX1551
- Decorations
- Mentioned in Despatches
- Unit
- 30 Brigade Australian Field Artillery
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- New Guinea
- Date of death
- 7 December 1942
- Age
- 32
- Plaque number
- M209
- Dedicated by
- Family on 21 November 2009
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Major Brian Beresford MID of 30 Brigade was the son of George and Margaret Beresford and is a descendant of the Marquess of Waterford.
He was born in Kalgoorlie in September 1910 and attended St Peter’s school in Adelaide, Guildford Grammar and Christchurch in Perth. He excelled at cricket and football and at one time was the champion squash player of the state.
Bruce had been working as a solicitor in Portland Victoria when he returned to Perth and enlisted in February 1940.
He was posted to 2/11 Battalion and commissioned a lieutenant. In April 1940 the battalion embarked at Fremantle for the Middle East.
The battalion trained in Palestine and Egypt and were in action in Bardia in January 1941. They went to Greece then to Crete, from where he escaped to Alexandria when the allies surrendered.
During these actions, he was awarded two mentioned in despatches. Unfortunately the citations are not available.
The battalion was rebuilt in Palestine and later returned to Australia. Brian was then posted to 30 Brigade in New Guinea in August. Prior to that he had married Valma in April.
Major Brian De La Poer Beresford MID, service number WX1551, was killed in action at Gona, New Guinea by sniper fire on 7 December 1942. He was 32.