A pre-war regular soldier (numbered M/29278), he served during the First World War with 1st Divisional Supply Company, Army Service Corps in France from 12 August 1914 (1914 Star). He previously served in No. 24 Motor Transport Company with Sergeant A. W. Beer (Indian General Service Medal 1908 with clasp ‘WAZIRISTAN 1921-24’. M/14476 Sergeant Albert Edward Beavan, No. 24 Indian Motor Transport Company, Indian Army Service Corps, took his own life (died at Manzai Hospital) on 8 November 1923.