Just four days later, on January 26, 1962, Brothers Eric Britten, the then branch overseer, Domenick Piccone and Eric Beveridge and their wives, all missionaries, were called to P.I.D.E. headquarters and ordered to leave the country within 30 days. They were told that the reason for their expulsion was their talking to others about their religion and teaching neutrality. In an interview with Brother and Sister Beveridge the director of the P.I.D.E. referred to a recent incident where a young Portuguese man had refused military service and asserted that the Witnesses were responsible for his actions. Conscientious objection would not be tolerated in Portugal, he added.

It was a hard blow to see the missionaries depart, and many tears were shed. They had truly given of themselves whole-souled and were warmly loved for their zeal and fine example.

The Beveridges were assigned to Spain, where they served for 19 years before being transferred to the Brooklyn Bethel family.