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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Beck, Anthony Francis Vernon |
| Date of birth: | April 5th, 1919 (India)
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| Nationality: |
British |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Service number IA 1050 (Indian Army)/3718574 (British Army).
Anthony Beck was educated at Magdalene College School, and attended Sandhurst. He arrived in India end of August 1939. Begin December 1939 he was transferred to 1/12 Frontier Force.
He transferred to 9/12 Frontier Force in April 1941 and he became Company Commander as Captain, 18 December 1944.
He was wounded during the 4th Burma Campaign, 25 January 1945 and became Temporary Major on 4 April 1945 with the First Battalion Frontier
Force.
In June 1947 he returned to England and transferred to the Royal Artillery, leaving the Army in 1948.
In addition tothe medals mentioned below, he was also awarded The India General Service Medal 1936-39 with clasp North West Frontier 1937-39.
Promotions:
July 1st, 1939: 2nd Lieutenant
January 29th, 1940: Lieutenant
July 1st, 1946: Captain
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MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES
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Rank:
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Temporary Captain
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Unit:
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Indian Army, 12th Frontier Force Regiment
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Awarded on:
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January 10th, 1946
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Action:
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Citation:
”On 23rd January (1945) the battalion less A and C companies who were on their separate tasks moved to Chauka on the main road to Monywa and about 12 miles short of it. The next day D company under Major Beck was also sent as Mocol 3 on a long range penetration task to operate behind the enemy on their lines of communication in the Naungbyubin area. The company reached this village on the 25th and set up a base to the North of it. Before however it could set about preparing an ambush it was discovered by the enemy who opened fire from three sides. The company appeared to be in danger of being surrounded and Major Beck asked for an air strike but this was impracticable owing to the enemy being so close. He hung on but by evening enemy fire was causing casualties and Major Beck decided to withdraw from what appeared a dangerous position. At first there was some difficulty in disengaging but later an organised withdrawal by bounds was carried out. During this Major Beck was himself hit but refused assistance until he was too weak to continue. He was taken back on an improvised stretcher managing all the while to direct the withdrawal. This was done by compass and the night was spent in safety out of touch of the enemy who had been between 200 and 300 strong considerably outnumbering the company.”
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