Dec 9, 1882
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Born in Highbury, London, England.
The 1901 British Census lists him as a sailor in
the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Boxer in the Grand Harbour, Valetta, Malta.
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Nov 1, 1914
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Attested into the 21st Battalion in
Kingston, Ontario
Ø Number 59049 (temporary number 1105)
Ø Next of kin given as Mrs. Thomas Beckett, mother, Otterburn, Union
St., Kingston
Ø Previous occupation given as Sailor
Ø Previous military service given as Royal Naval for 7 years
Ø Religion given as Salvation Army
Ø Assigned to the Headquarters Company for duty as a Batman
It should be noted that his medical certificate
was not signed until March 29, 1915 and the Commanding Officer did not sign his acceptance
until April 5, 1915
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May 1, 1915
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Assigned to the Depot Company and declared to be
a Deserter
This was later rescinded and he was TOS (Taken
On Strength) as of the same date. It would
seem that he was declared to be absent as a result of a clerical error, but in fact was
still with the battalion.
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May 6, 1915
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Embarked the Metagama in Montreal, Quebec
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May 15, 1915
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Disembarked in Devonport, England and the
battalion proceeded to West Sandling, near Hythe, Kent for additional training.
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Sep 8, 1915
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Married to Kathleen Gambell at Hythe, Kent. Her address was noted as 20 Frampton Road, Hythe,
Kent, England. This was later changed to 42
Frampton Road.
Wedding photograph
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Sep 25, 1915
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Private Beckett remained behind when the
battalion sailed for France and was transferred to the 39th Reserve Battalion
at West Sandling. I could find no reason in the file for this
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Dec 6, 1915
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Granted permission to marry
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Nov 1, 1916
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Awarded the Good Conduct Badge
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Jan 4, 1917
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Transferred to the newly formed 6th
Reserve Battalion at Seaford
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Feb 14, 1918
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Transferred to the 21st Battalion
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Feb 15, 1918
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Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry
Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 23 reinforcements and TOS (Taken On
Strength) the 21st Battalion
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Feb 16, 1918
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Pte Beckett arrived in France from the 6th
Reserve Battalion and TOS the 21st Battalion.
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Feb 18, 1918
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Left the CIBD and joined the CC Rein C (Canadian
Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart as part of a draft of 23 reinforcements
destined for the 21st Battalion
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Mar 15, 1918
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Rejoined the 21st Battalion in
billets in the village of Gouy-Servins
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Apr 13, 1918
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Attached to the 2nd Battalion,
Canadian Machine Gun Corps for duty at Basseux, France
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Apr 30, 1918
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SOS (Struck Off Strength) the 21st
Battalion on being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun
Corps.
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Jan 5, 1919
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Granted 14 days leave to England
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Jan 24, 1919
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Rejoined the battalion from leave
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Apr 13, 1919
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Embarked in Havre, France and proceeded to
England
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May 3, 1919
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Posted to the CMGD (Canadian Machine Gun Depot)
and attached to #2 CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot), London, pending discharge in England
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May 5, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in London, England
Ø Rank on discharge Private
Ø War Service Badge Class “A” issued
Ø Proposed residence on discharge 39 Frampton Road, Hythe, Kent, England
Following the war the British War Medal and
Victory Medals were sent to him at 39 Frampton Road, Hythe, Kent, England
After the war he became a batman at the Small Arms
School in Hythe. During the second world war he served with the Civil Defence as an
ambulance driver.
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