Billy Bevis
Encyclopedia
William Ernest "Billy" Bevis D.S.M.
(29 September 1918 – 22 August 1994) was an English footballer who played for Southampton
as an outside right in the years either side of World War II
.
, Hampshire
and played football as a youth with Gosport Borough
before joining Portsmouth
as a trainee in February 1934. He signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 1936, but failed to break through into the first team at Fratton Park
.
's newly appointed manager Tom Parker
, who was trying to build a side to push for promotion from Division Two. Bevis was immediately drafted into the first team as an 18 year old, replacing the injured John Summers, for his debut in a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa
on 4 September 1937.
Bevis soon gained a reputation as a speedy right-winger and made 31 appearances in the 1937–38 season, scoring five goals. In the following season he only missed five matches, making 37 appearances and scoring six goals, including a "spectacular" hat-trick in a 3–1 victory at Swansea Town on 1 April 1939. His crosses also laid on scoring opportunities for the central forwards Reg Tomlinson and Fred Briggs
who scored 12 and 14 league goals respectively, as the "Saints" finished 18th in the table, four points above the relegation zone
. At the end of the season, Newcastle United
made an enquiry about Bevis's availability.
Bevis's football career was then interrupted by the outbreak of World War II
, although he continued to appear for the Saints in the wartime leagues in the early months of the war. He then joined the Merchant Navy
as a petty officer
gunner and during the war the ships on which he was serving were torpedo
ed three times and mined
once. After one of these attacks, he spent seven days adrift in the Atlantic before being rescued. One of the crew who rescued him was a former colleague from Southampton
, reserve team goalkeeper Alec Warnock. Bevis was later presented with the D.S.M.
by King George VI at Buckingham Palace
.
After being demobbed
in November 1945, Bevis returned to The Dell. He made 14 appearances, scoring five goals, in the 1946–47 season before losing his place on the right wing to Wilf Grant
. At the end of the season, despite receiving an offer from Plymouth Argyle
, he decided to retire.
, Cowes Sports
and Warsash. He settled in Park Gate
, near his place of birth, where he died in August 1994.
Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service...
(29 September 1918 – 22 August 1994) was an English footballer who played for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
as an outside right in the years either side of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Portsmouth
Bevis was born in WarsashWarsash
Warsash is a village in southern Hampshire, England, situated at the mouth of the River Hamble, west of the area known as Locks Heath. Boating plays an important part in the village's economy, and the village has a sailing club...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
and played football as a youth with Gosport Borough
Gosport Borough F.C.
Gosport Borough Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Gosport, England currently playing in the Southern League Division One South and West...
before joining Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
as a trainee in February 1934. He signed a professional contract with Portsmouth in July 1936, but failed to break through into the first team at Fratton Park
Fratton Park
Fratton Park is a football stadium in the English city-port of Portsmouth. It has been the home of professional club Portsmouth F.C. since its construction in 1898.-Description:...
.
Southampton
In July 1937, he was one of several players recruited by SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
's newly appointed manager Tom Parker
Tom Parker (footballer)
Thomas Robert "Tom" Parker was an English football player and manager.-Southampton:Born in Woolston, Southampton, Parker began playing with local sides, such as Sholing Rangers and Sholing Athletic, before joining Southern League side Southampton as an amateur in 1918, just before the end of the...
, who was trying to build a side to push for promotion from Division Two. Bevis was immediately drafted into the first team as an 18 year old, replacing the injured John Summers, for his debut in a 0–0 draw with Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 4 September 1937.
Bevis soon gained a reputation as a speedy right-winger and made 31 appearances in the 1937–38 season, scoring five goals. In the following season he only missed five matches, making 37 appearances and scoring six goals, including a "spectacular" hat-trick in a 3–1 victory at Swansea Town on 1 April 1939. His crosses also laid on scoring opportunities for the central forwards Reg Tomlinson and Fred Briggs
Fred Briggs (footballer)
Fred Briggs was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for Rotherham United, Reading and Southampton in the 1930s.-Rotherham United:...
who scored 12 and 14 league goals respectively, as the "Saints" finished 18th in the table, four points above the relegation zone
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
. At the end of the season, Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
made an enquiry about Bevis's availability.
Bevis's football career was then interrupted by the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, although he continued to appear for the Saints in the wartime leagues in the early months of the war. He then joined the Merchant Navy
Merchant Navy
The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency...
as a petty officer
Petty Officer
A petty officer is a non-commissioned officer in many navies and is given the NATO rank denotion OR-6. They are equal in rank to sergeant, British Army and Royal Air Force. A Petty Officer is superior in rank to Leading Rate and subordinate to Chief Petty Officer, in the case of the British Armed...
gunner and during the war the ships on which he was serving were torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
ed three times and mined
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
once. After one of these attacks, he spent seven days adrift in the Atlantic before being rescued. One of the crew who rescued him was a former colleague from Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
, reserve team goalkeeper Alec Warnock. Bevis was later presented with the D.S.M.
Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Navy and members of the other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, up to and including the rank of Chief Petty Officer, for bravery and resourcefulness on active service...
by King George VI at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
.
After being demobbed
Demobilization
Demobilization is the process of standing down a nation's armed forces from combat-ready status. This may be as a result of victory in war, or because a crisis has been peacefully resolved and military force will not be necessary...
in November 1945, Bevis returned to The Dell. He made 14 appearances, scoring five goals, in the 1946–47 season before losing his place on the right wing to Wilf Grant
Wilf Grant
Wilfred Grant was an English professional footballer who played as a forward for Southampton, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town.-Early career:...
. At the end of the season, despite receiving an offer from Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, he decided to retire.
Later career
On retiring from football, he returned to the sea while turning out occasionally for various non-league clubs, including Winchester CityWinchester City F.C.
Winchester City Football Club are an English football team based in Winchester, Hampshire and playing in the Wessex League Premier Division. The team is currently managed by Guy Butters and their motto is "Many in Men, One in Spirit",-History:...
, Cowes Sports
Cowes Sports F.C.
Cowes Sports F.C. is a football club based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. They were established in 1881.The history of Cowes Football Club can be traced back to 1881, when the club was originally formed, although competitive action did not arrive until 1886 in the shape of the Hants and Dorset...
and Warsash. He settled in Park Gate
Park Gate
Park Gate is a locality in the borough of Fareham in Hampshire, England. It merges into Locks Heath to the south, Segensworth to the east and Sarisbury to the west. Within the area are two churches , a primary school and a police station. It is located to the south of Swanwick railway station....
, near his place of birth, where he died in August 1994.