Jan 19, 1891
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Born at Cobham,
Kent, England to William and Sarah Beckham
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Aug 23, 1915
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Attested into
the 77th 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
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Oct 23, 1915
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Embarked the SS
California at Quebec City, Quebec as part of the 1st Regimental Draft of the 77th
Battalion
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Oct 31, 1915
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Disembarked at
Plymouth England and proceeded to Shorncliffe where the draft was absorbed into the 12th
Reserve Battalion
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Mar 15, 1916
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Transferred to
the 21st Battalion
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Mar 16, 1916
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Arrived at the
Rouelles Camp, Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st
Battalion
There is no
mention in the service file as to the actual date that Pte Beckham joined the Battalion in
the field
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Sep 15, 1916
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The 21st
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
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