Jan 19, 1891

Born at Cobham, Kent, England to William and Sarah Beckham

Aug 23, 1915

Attested into the 77^th Battalion at Smiths Falls Ontario 

Ø      Number 144952

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Sarah Beckham, mother, of Cobham, Kent, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Cheese Maker

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Oct 23, 1915

Embarked the SS California at Quebec City, Quebec as part of the 1^st Regimental Draft of the 77^th Battalion

Oct 31, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to Shorncliffe where the draft was absorbed into the 12^th Reserve Battalion

Mar 15, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Mar 16, 1916

Arrived at the Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion 

There is no mention in the service file as to the actual date that Pte Beckham joined the Battalion in the field

Sep 15, 1916

The 21^st Battalion mounted an attack on a German strong point in a Sugar Factory at Courcelette during which they suffered very heavy casualties.  Pte Beckham was first reported missing, then later was presumed to have been killed. 

His body was never recovered from the battlefield and is honoured on the Memorial at Vimy Ridge

Following the war the British War Medal (Below), Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, William Beckham, at Batts Cottage, Cobham, Gravesend, England 

The Memorial Cross (below) was sent to his mother at the same address