George Beck grew up in Warwickshire and joined the army aged 18. He served in the Boer War and First World War, being awarded medals in both. Beck married Portland girl Eliza Atwooll in 1907 and the family settled in Dorset.

Early life

George Beck was born in September 1881 at Budbrooke, Warwickshire, the son of Thomas Beck, a blacksmith, and Rosetta Beck (nee Kirby). Both of George’s parents died in 1884. In the 1891 census he is recorded as age 9, an orphan and scholar living at 35 Park Street, Leamington with Joseph Cole, a 37 year old drayman born in Tachbrook; his wife Harrietta Cole, age 31, born in Kent; and William Wyborn, a 29 year old labourer born in Kent. George must have looked on the Coles as his parents because he gave them as next of kin when he enlisted in the Army in 1898, and on his marriage certificate in 1907 Joseph Cole is down as his Father, occupation Labourer.

Between 6^th September 1894 and 9^th March 1897 George worked for the Post Office. A character reference from the Postmaster in Leamington Spa dated 27^th May 1897 states ‘he was honest, steady and persevering and left of his own accord’.

Military career

George Beck’s service record book. DHC ref: D-1820/1/4

When on 1^st September 1898 age 18 George signed up with the 1^st Warwickshire Regiment as a Private his occupation was listed as ‘machinist’. His Service Record Book records him as being 5’4” tall (by 1923 when he left the Army he was 5’8 and a half inches tall). Other details recorded are:

• Complexion: Fresh
• Eyes: Grey
• Hair: Light Brown
• Marks: a mole in centre of back and a scar inside of left leg.
• Religion: Church of England

George achieved educational qualifications and was promoted Lance Corporal on 3^rd March 1899 and Corporal in July 1900. He served in the Boer War in South Africa between November 1899 and August 1901 and was awarded the South Africa Medal and several Clasps, including the King’s Clasp, in 1901. In June 1901, George was promoted Sergeant. In 1902 George was with the Regiment in Bermuda, and may have been posted to India with the 1^st Battalion. What is certain is that George was a crack shot and won several medals for marksmanship in competitions.

Family

In January 1905 George was promoted to Colour Sergeant (a rank enabling him to marry) and on 11^th January 1907 he married Eliza Jane Attwooll, daughter of Edward Attwooll, quarryman of Portland, Dorset. George and Eliza’s first child, Dorothy Rose was born on 30^th July 1908 in Leamington, their second, George Edward, was born on 15^th June 1910 at Lichfield (died on 16^th August 1911). A second daughter, Lena Maud, was born at Lichfield on 8^th September 1911. Two further sons, Richard Joseph and Claude were born in July 1913 and summer 1914.

In August 1912 George Beck was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant and by the outbreak of WW1 in 1914 the family were settled on Portland.

WW1

A group of WW1 soldiers, including George Beck. Photographer: B Guilleminot.
DHC ref: D-1820/1/1

George served with the 1^st Warwickshire Battalion throughout the war, being stationed in France and Belgium. On 5th May 1915 George was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major and awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal), having been mentioned in Field Marshal French’s Dispatches for Gallant and Distinguished Services in the Field. The citation in The London Gazette on 11th March 1916 was as follows:

For Conspicuous Gallantry and good work throughout the Campaign. His fine conduct, example and devotion to duty have frequently been brought to notice.

George Beck refused a commission to be appointed an Officer. Nevertheless he was awarded the Military Cross (most unusual for a non-commissioned officer) in Sir Douglas Haigh’s Dispatches on 7^th April 1918 ‘for Distinguished Services in the Field’.

After the army

RSM George Beck, DCM, MC gained a position at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, Dover in 1923 as a Sergeant Major Instructor and served at the school for three and a half years until he was discharged on the grounds of ill health. In his final year, Beck worked as an Inspector for the Portland Bus Company. He died of pneumonia/influenza on 20 March 1928 aged 47 at 6 Avalanche Road, Portland.

George Beck’s funeral was conducted with full military honours at St George’s Church on Portland. Among the mourners were his widow Eliza Beck; four of his six surviving children – his sons Richard and Claude, daughters Dorothy and Lena; Mr E Attwooll (father in law); Mr A Attwooll; Mr and Mrs H.R. Nash; Captain J Harley; CQSM Murrell, CQSM King; CQSM Brown; QMS Hanson; SM Mitchell; Bandmaster Hartmann; two Sergeants, two Corporals and two Privates representing the 1st Battalion Warwickshire Regiment.

There is a letter of condolence to Mrs Beck from a former Adjutant, Onslow, dated 15th April 1928:

He was one of the finest men I knew with a wonderful war record and a wonderful peace record, always extraordinarily popular with all ranks and helped the regiment so much officially and socially. I got to know him very well whilst adjutant and a more loyal helper I couldn’t have wanted for…