[1] Originally from Grafton, New South Wales, Beaton moved to Sydney where he attended St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill, enjoying schoolboy success at rugby union, track & field, and cricket.

Beaton took up a role as captain with a country rugby league side in Lismore, New South Wales, before moving back to Sydney the following season to join up with the Eastern Suburbs club.

From his debut with club in 1934 till his retirement at the end of the 1937 season Easts lost just 4 matches.

He played in some of the Tricolours greatest teams during his brief career, winning 3 premierships with the club and was runner-up in his only other year.

Beaton played in ten Test matches for Australia debuting against England in 1936.