The Wartime Memories Project - The Great War

Those who Served - Surnames beginning with B.

Surnames Index


This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site you agree to accept cookies.


If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation.



    Site Home

    Great War Home

    Search

    Add Stories & Photos

    Library

    Help & FAQs

 Features

    Allied Army

    Day by Day

    RFC & RAF

    Prisoners of War

    War at Sea

    Training for War

    The Battles

    Those Who Served

    Hospitals

    Civilian Service

    Women at War

    The War Effort

    Central Powers Army

    Central Powers Navy

    Imperial Air Service

    Library

    World War Two

 Submissions

    Add Stories & Photos

    Time Capsule

 Information

    Help & FAQs



    Glossary

    Our Facebook Page

    Volunteering

    News

    Events

    Contact us

    Great War Books

    About


Advertisements

World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great 1914 1918 first battalion regiment

246977

2Lt. Herbert Charles Beck

British Army 152nd Brigade, A Battery Royal Field Artillery

from:Liverpool

(d.25th October 1918)

Herbert Beck, my grandfather, was born in Manchester or Birmingham but was taken with his parents to Boston, Massachusetts when his father, a finisher of brass, was recruited there. Herbert grew up in Massachusetts, married a local girl, a descendant of numerous Revolutionary War Soldiers, and was posted to Liverpool in 1911 as a cotton broker for the Bush Company.

With three children, two born in Liverpool, he was called up or volunteered in 1917 and became a 2nd Lt. with the Royal Field Artillery. On 8th of October 1918, he and a fellow officer named Edwards were sent to explore a new route to bring ammunition to the front, as the current road at that time was being heavily shelled. Much to his surprise and amusement, The Bosche lobbed some shells from their big guns at the two officers, and as they were returning with their new route, a shell exploded near them. Lt. Beck was wounded in the head and back, and was helped back to headquarters by Edwards and some pioneers who were nearby.

He wrote a six page letter detailing his experiences to his wife from a Red Cross Hospital the next day, describing his wounds as superficial and predicting that he would be back in service within a week or so. His main concern other than setting his family's minds at ease was that he would need some new kit. Sadly, infection set in and he died in a hospital in Boulogne on 20th of October. He is buried at the British Cemetery at Terlincthun.

We have in our family a wonderful portrait of him in uniform, plus a very nice portrait of one of his fellow officers, whose initials seem to be J.B.L. Would love to get in contact with any family of this officer.




223795

Pte. James Beck

British Army 11th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles

from:Lisburn

(d.8th Aug 1917)

We are currently researching Rifleman James Beck having visited the Somme and found him on the Menin Gate. He was killed in action at Ypres age 19. Our family name is Beck and we are told he is my husband's great great uncle.




1206180

Pte. Jocelyn Beck

British Army Border Regiment

from:Kendal

Our GG Uncle Jocelyn Beck was from Kendal (then Westmorland) and served in the Border Regiment. He was severely injured and was sent to the Norfolk War Hospital. Researching our family history we have just come across this newspaper article. Unfortunately there is no date on the article.




214431

Pte. Thomas Beck

British Army 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

from:Hebburn

(d.18th Oct 1916)

Thomas Beck died on 18th October 1916 at the age of 18 whilst serving with the 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Born in Hebburn he was the son of Thomas and Margaret Jane Beck (nee Sheppherd). On the 1911 census he is listed as: Thomas Beck age 13 at School is with his parents Thomas and Margaret Jane Beck and family at 84 McIntyre Street, Hebburn. He enlisted in Cramlington.

Thomas is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery and is commemorated on the Palmer Cenotaph (south face) Jarrow.




245734

L/Cpl. Moses Beckerwick

British Army 4th Btn. Middlesex Regiment

(d.15th October 1914)

Lance Corporal Moses Beckerwick, son of Joseph and Rebecca Inskip of Arthur Street, Ampthill was born in Middlesex. He served with the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment. He was killed in action on 15th of October 1914 in France and Flanders and is buried in Arras Road Cemetery, France. He is remembered on The War Memorial, St. Andrews Church, Ampthill. Information courtesy of www.roll-of-honour.com




232189

Pte. E. Becket

British Army 24th (Tyneside Irish) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers

E Becket was wounded in March 1916




216903

L/Cpl. Francis Xavier Beckett

British Army Bed. A Signal Depot Corps of Royal Engineers

from:West Gorton, Manchester

(d.7th Nov 1918)

Francis Beckett was formerly No. 300176, Manchester Regiment. Born in Dublin, he was the son of Charles and Mary Beckett, of 15, Buxton St., West Gorton, Manchester. He died of wounds at home age 21 and is buried in Kempston Cemetery, Bedfordshire

Update: Lance Corporal Francis Xavier Beckett was born in Dublin c. 1897 and had moved to Manchester by the time of the 1901 census. In the 1911 census he was a Butcher's assistant. He enlisted at Manchester in 1913 at the age of 17 and joined the Manchester Regiment. By then he was an iron turner. He died at the military hospital, Bedford from bronchial pneumonia following influenza at 4.30 am.




256330

Spr. George Beckett

British Army 298th Railway Company Royal Engineers

from:Wickham, Hants

(d.9th July 1918)

George Beckett was my grandfather, his name was never mentioned in family circles. It was only on my mother's death that it was discovered from marriage and birth certificates, that by chance, the name of George which had been given to her son in 1976 was that of her own grandfather.

George Beckett was 46 when he died. An experienced railway plate layer, his use to 298th Railway Company was obvious. He left home, no doubt assuring his wife and with 5 young daughters that he would not be working anywhere near the front line. Buried in France, his cause of death is still unknown.




246205

2nd.Lt. Hubert Edge Beckett

British Army 1st/4th (Hallamshire) Btn. D Coy. York and Lancaster Regiment

(d.23rd July 1917)

Hubert Beckett served with D Company. 1st/4th (Hallamshire) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment.




257461

Pte. James Beckett

British Army 9th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

from:Manchester

(d.6th October 1915)




209229

Pte Pizarro William Beckett

British Army 2nd Btn. York and Lancs Regiment

from:Sheffield

My Grandfather, Bill Beckett was not one of the officers or heroes as such, but he was one of the millions who did what had to be done, and I have a free life because of them. He is a hero in my eyes. From research that I have done, (and do not have too much of his story I might add), he left Sheffield with the 2nd York and Lancs regiment and went to the Somme in France. He was transferred on 1.6.1918 to the 861st Coy, ASC. I have read The Long Long Trail documents of others and the life they lived and I also have a few copies of his file from the "Burnt Documents" and that is all I know of his life during the Great War.




237636

Pte. Stanley Beckett

British Army 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment

(d.14th June 1917)

Stanley Beckett served with the 6th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment. At the Battle of Messines, Stanley was killed in action. He is buried at Derry House Cemetery No. 2, Belgium.




227778

Pte. Walter Beardshall Beckett

British Army A Company 28th Division

from:Sheffield

This is my great uncle. I do not know much about him or what happened in his life.

After the War he did emmigrate to Western Australia in 1923 to Northcliffe. It was a group settlement scheme that was attractive to ex- soldeirs to start a new life.




259055

Rfn William Beckett

British Army 2nd Btn Kings Royal Rifle Corps

from:High Wycombe

(d.30th Mar 1918)




250871

2nd Lt. John Edgar Beckingsale

British Army 6th Duke Of Cornwalls Light Infantry

from:Ontario

(d.23rd Aug 1917)




250538

Pte Harry Beckitt

British Army 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers

from:Wragby

(d.5th October 1918)




247214

Pte. Albert Beckwith

British Army 7th Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

(d.19th August 1915)




143924

Private Emmerson Beckwith

British Army 8th. Battalion Durham Light Infantry

from:13 Palmer Street, South Moor, Stanley Co. Durham

(d.29th. April 1917)

Emmerson (Emmy) was my father's step brother (aged 25) was killed in the Second Battle of Arras just 6 days after my father's brother in law, Lance Corporal Robert Lightburn (Aged 29) was killed, serving with 11th. Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in the same battle, but different sectors. The two families lived within 1 mile of each other in the same mining village in North West Durham




250214

Gnr, James Moffat "Moff" Beckwith

British Army 71st Brigade, 225th Battery Royal Field Artillery

from:Percy Main, Northumberland

My Grandfather, James Beckwith, went to France in July 1915 aged 33 years. He served in Northern France and Belgium and returned home in 1918.




1205970

Col.Sgt. Jacques Jean Charles Becquet CdeG & 2Palms.

Belgian Army Bataillon 1. Company 3 1st Line Regiment

from:Ixelles, Brabant

My grandfather was born in Brussels 5th August 1894. He joined the Belgian Army as a front line infantry man on 4th April 1911, joining the first Line Regiment. Promoted to Corporal 1st June 1911, to Platoon Sergeant 20th April 1913, to Company Sergeant 5th July 1914, to Sergeant Major 22nd August 1914 and to Colour Sergeant 19th February 1915. Finishing the great War as a Lieutenant in the 21st Line Regiment.

He had two citations for the Great War: "For the Courage and devotion which he showed during his long period at the front"

"An Officer of a calm and cool gallantry, a leader of the highest order, at the front from the beginning of hostilities and outstanding for his imperturbable sangfroid. On 30th September 1918 after a most difficult approach march across soaking, and in some cases flooded, ground and under sustained machine gun fire and artillery fire, he rallied his men and with a superb dash, with himself at their head. rushed an enemy trench; Thus showing the greatest contempt of danger."

He did once recall that he was once buried alive by a shell burst and was most impressed that his men actually came back to dig him out - he reckoned that not too many officers would have been so lucky!!

When Germany invaded Belgium on 10th May 1940 he was called up to defend his country. When Leopold surrendered in an act of capitulation on 28th May 1940, my grandfather refused to capitulate and carried on fighting as part of the Underground Belgian Army hoping to give the BEF more to time to evacuate (Dunkirk 26th May 1940 to 4th June 1940). He managed to destroy two German tanks before being captured by the Germans on 19th June 1940. Branded a trouble maker he was immediately sent to Colditz Castle POW camp. As Colditz filled up with other nationalities the Belgians were moved to Oflag VII B at Eichstatt, and then to Oflag XD at Hamburg. He retired as a Capitaine Commandant of Reserve (equivalent to Major in the British Army)




256423

Cpl. Sidney John Arthur Beddall

British Army 5th Btn. Bedfordshire Regiment

from:Patk Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire

Sidney Beddall was reported missing on 27th of April 1917. His mother wrote in June 1917 to the Army to confirm she had received a postcard from him confirming he was a prisoner of war at Limberg. It was subsequently confirmed and reported on 8th of July 1917. He also appears to have been imprisoned at Friedrichsfeld. He chose to be demobilised following his Released Prisoner of War two months furlough.




235989

Sgt. Alfred Edward Beddis

British Army 150th Heavy Bty. Royal Garrison Artillery




239024

Lt.Col Arthur Beddoe

British Army 4th Btn. Welsh Regiment

I remember my Uncle Arthur Beddoe who served with 4th Welsh during the First World War. I stayed with him in Pembroke and recall that he still had his horse, Nelson. I think which he kept it in a paddock behind my grandparent's home in Pembroke. He was very much a military man.




211229

Pte. John Thomas Beddows

British Army 1/8th Batallion West Yorkshire Regiment

from:Bilston

(d.26th May 1918)

I have always been fascinated with the Great War, and have visited many battlefields in France and Belgium, but have only just found out that I have a relative who was killed in action. John Thomas Beddows was my grandfather's uncle. He is buried in Bienevillers Cemetery, I have noticed a few others in the same cemetery died within a few days but cannot research anywhere what happened in that area on the 26/05/1918. I would be very grateful if anyone could help me with any research.




244619

Pte. Joseph Beddows MM.

British Army 10th Btn. Gloucestershire Regiment

from:Coventry




226192

Pte. Arthur Bedford

British Army 2nd Btn. South Staffordshire Regiment

from:Smethwick

(d.3rd Nov 1914)

Arthur Bedford was my great uncle. All I know is he was born in 1883 and died 3 November 1914. He has no known grave but his name is inscribed at Ypres on the Menin Gate.




249766

Pte Percy William Bedford

British Army 19th (St Pancras) Btn. London Regiment




216904

Dvr. Walter Edward Bedford

British Army 12th Signal Coy Corps Of Royal Engineers

from:Finchampstead, Berks

(d.10th Sep 1916)

Walter Ernest Bedford was born in Dublin, lived in Finchampstead, Berks and enlisted in Marylebone, Middlesex. He died of wounds and is buried in Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

He was the son of Lydia and the Late Alfred Bedford, of Oak Cottage Finchampstead, Berks and was 24 when he died. In the 1911 census he was an assistant in a Furniture Shop and was described as a nephew living with the Squelch family at 1 Nursery Cottages, Surly Hall Road, Clewer, Windsor.




150268

Rifleman Albert Clarence Bedson

British Army 16th Btn. King's Royal Rifle Corps

from:308, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London.

(d.20th May 1917)




235623

Pte. Bertram Lonsdale Bedward

British Army 1st Btn. South Staffs Regiment

from:Penkridge

(d.31st August 1916)







Page 31 of 126

     First Page   Previous Page   Next Page    Last Page    








Can you help us to add to our records?

The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them


Did your relative live through the Great War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial?

If so please let us know.

Do you know the location of a Great War "Roll of Honour?"

We are very keen to track down these often forgotten documents and obtain photographs and transcriptions of the names recorded so that they will be available for all to remember.

Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice.




Celebrate your own Family History

Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Great War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc.

Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.














The free section of The Wartime Memories Project is run by volunteers.

This website is paid for out of our own pockets, library subscriptions and from donations made by visitors. The popularity of the site means that it is far exceeding available resources and we currently have a huge backlog of submissions.

If you are enjoying the site, please consider making a donation, however small to help with the costs of keeping the site running.


Hosted by:

The Wartime Memories Project Website

is archived for preservation by the British Library





Copyright MCMXCIX - MMXXIV
- All Rights Reserved -

We do not permit the use of any content from this website for the training of LLMs or for use in Generative AI, it also may not be scraped for the purpose of creating other websites.