Enlistment Address

Orange NSW

Service Number

LIeutenant

Unit

12th Light Horse

Comment

for Leoie Westwood

Fate

Returned to Australia August 23, 1917

Information

CAPTAIN WILLIAM BECK
William was married to Agnes May Beck and aged 39 when he enlisted on the 31st August 1915. At the time he was a farmer and grazier of Orange NSW.
From his enlistment application he was a British born subject, described at 6’1 and ¼” tall; 13stone 10lbs (86kgs); chest expansion 38” – 41 ½” with good eyesight.
His education Qualifications were detailed and listed as public school to 5th class, 3 years teaching in NSW Education Dept. Pass for University Exam 1891. Passed all pupil teachers exam. Passed (?) exam for officers with honours in 1908.
Military Qualifications: 10 years in NSW Mounted Rifles including 12 months Active Service New South Wales Mounted Infantry in SA (South Africa) Campaign1899-1900. 7 years’ service as officer in 3rd ALH (Australian Light Horse) and 1st ALH (Australian Light Horse) including 4 years 10 m(onths) as Area Officer in Area 42A and 4 years (?) 42 Battalion Cadets and 5 months service King Ed(ward) Xll Coronation Corps in England.
He was appointed Lieutenant and embarked with the 12th Light Horse on the Argyllshire on the 30th September 1915, bound for Egypt.
He served at Heliopolis and Tel-el-Kebir, Moascar and Ferry Post, where he attended the Imperial School of Instruction. He rejoined his unit at Romani in March 1917 until, in Marakeb, July 1917 he was granted Compassionate Leave to return to Australia. Captain William Beck commenced his return to Australia from Suez on the ‘Boorara’ on the 23rd August 1917.
His appointment was terminated on the 28th September 1917 in Sydney and he was issued with the 1914-15 Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He served in South Africa with the 1st NSW Mounted Rifles from 1899 until invalided back to Australia, arriving 17th August 1900. His service number was 454 and he would have been issued the Queens Service Medal