The AIF Project

William Edward BECK

Regimental number3717
Place of birthSingleton New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMiner
AddressRichardson Street, Boulder, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation41
Next of kinBrother, H J Beck, Singleton, Western Australia
Enlistment date28 August 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/28/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board RMS Mongolia on 22 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll11th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Great courage and devotion to duty throughout the whole of operations. Also valuable rescue work under heavy fire on 8 October 1917. (East of Ypres)'
Recommendation date: 16 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 1 February 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'During the operations at BROODSEINDE RIDGE east of YPRES 1st to 9th October, 1917, Sgt. BECK was in charge of dumps and worked during the whole operations with great courage and devotion to duty. On the evening of 8th October, when the Signal Officer and party of Signallers and Runners were buried in a dug-out in REMUS WOOD Sgt. BECK led the relief party and worked with them, urging them to greater efforts for one hour under terrific shellfire. His great example inspired the others to supreme efforts and two men were got out alive in consequence.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918

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