Death & burial
The Atherstone News, Friday June 27th 1890, contained the following obituary:
"During his 25 years service in the regiment of the 11th Hussars, the late Mr T. E. Beck (formerly saddler sergeant), who expired on the 19th instant, at his residence, Long Street. Atherstone, had seen a considerable active life. He took part in the Crimean campaign in the year 1854; was present at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkermann and also the seige of Sebastopol in the same year. In the Balaclava engagement he narrowly escaped being fatally shot, the bullet penetrating his busby. On another occasion he escaped death under similar circumstances, his horse being shot under him."
Thomas Edward Beck died on the 19th June 1890 at the age of 61, his death certificate described his occupation as Saddler Master and Army Pensioner.
His gravestone in the Atherstone cemetery reads:
"In Loving Memory Thomas Edward Beck June 19, 1890 Aged 61 Years One of the 600 of Balaclava Resting Til the Day Break and Shadows Flee Away Thomas Edward Beck 1828-1890."
[PB: Can his grave be found? Is there a photograph? TEB is not always recognised as a Charger, yet his memorial states that he was, e.g. Brighton includes him, but Crider and Dutton do not.]
[PB: In July 2020, Rob Higgins contacted the EJBA with two photographs:
"I only recently discovered that Corporal Beck lived in my home town of Atherstone, Warwickshire and is in fact buried in the local cemetery.
"I attach two photographs of his grave. One taken when the memorial stood upright before the local council implemented their stress-testing on all old gravestones. Unfortunately Cpl Beck's failed and consequently was laid down.
"The second one taken this morning and you will see that it has not weathered well."
We are very grateful to Rob for sending these images:
(Click on image to enlarge)
[PB, August 2018: This response to a query about the Beck family on Genealogy.com may be illuminating.]
To Michael Higgins.
We have seen your note in March 2001 about Becks in Atherstone. We have traced our Beck ancestry to Atherstone.
Charles Beck, my great, great, great grandfather, was born in Tamworth Staffordshire in 1804 (Christened July 1, 1804). He married Mary Anne Salter in Saint Pancras Old Church in London on 15 Nov 1827.
Their first son Thomas Edward Beck was born in December 1828 in Blackfriars London and christened on Feb 22 1829 at Saint Saviour, Southwark.
They had 7 other children all born in Atherstone: Eliza 1833, Charles 1835, James 1838, Sarah 1840, William 1843, Charles Isaac 1845, Louisa 1847.
Thomas Edward was raised in Atherstone and joined the 11th Hussars where he became a saddlery sergeant. He married his first wife, Mary Sophia Baldwin, before 1857. They had 3 sons: Thomas Edward 18 Nov 1857; James; and William 1863. William was born in Tipperary, Ireland.
His second wife was Amelia Johnson, born in 1835 in Uplyme, Devon. (Johnson was her first husband's name; we don't know her maiden name.) Thomas Edward and Amelia had one child, Charles, born in 1864 in Atherstone. Amelia had two sons from her first marriage to Johnson.
While with the 11th Hussars, Thomas Edward participated in and survived the Charge of the Light Brigade. After his career in the army Thomas Edward opened a saddlery shop in Atherstone.
His son, Thomas Edward (born 1857), by Mary Baldwin also joined the 11th Hussars and became Regimental Sergeant Major. He married Emma May Paul Feb 8, 1863 in Colchester. While stationed in Ireland, their son, Thomas Alfred, was born in 1886 in Cork. He was my grandfather.
If you have information about Becks in Atherstone we would be glad to receive it.
Michael Beck
[Source: https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/beck/3524 (accessed 25.8.2018).]
All of his known sons joined the Army:
James Foster Beck [son]
James Foster Beck was born at Hulme, Manchester, and enlisted into the 11th Hussars at Aldershot as No. 1723 on the 3rd of April 1879. he was then 18 years and 4 months of age, 5' 7" in height (although he had grown to 5' 10" by the time of his discharge) with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His trade was that of a saddler and his religion that of C. of E.
He was appointed as Saddler on the 19th of October 1883, Saddler Corporal on the 19th of November 1884 and to Saddler Sergeant on the 22nd of November 1884. He was re-engaged at Howick "for such period as shall complete 21 years" and was later permitted to "continue in the service beyond 21 years," vide Authority A.A.G. Meerut District, dated the 6th of June 1889. He served in South Africa from the 22nd of July 1890 until the 23rd of November 1892, India, from the 24th of November 1892 to the 30th of October 1899 and in Egypt from the 31st of October 1899 to the 3rd of April 1903.
He had married Sophia Ann Wilkes at St. Michael's Church, Camden Town, on the 25th of December 1883, but he does not appear on the Regimental "married roll" until the 17th of March 1887. From this he probably married "Without permission." Four children were known to have been born into the family, Ethel, born on the 26th of December 1883 [sic], Constance, born on the 14th of January 1885 (died, 15th of June 1896), Doris Anna, Born on the 1st of December 1887, and Esme Cardigan, born on the 15th of December 1900. He was discharged from the Army at the Curragh Camp, Ireland, on the 15th of December 1904 — "having claimed his discharge, after two months notice."
Conduct: "Exemplary — a first-rate saddler." He was entitled to five Good Conduct badges and was in possession of the Indian General Service Medal (1895) with clasp for the "Punjab Frontier, 1897-98." He had a total service of 25 years 253 days, and was then aged 44 years. To live at No. 62 Belmont Street, Chalk Farm Road, London, N.W.2. Previous to his marriage his next of kin was shown as "Father, T.E. Beck, of Atherstone, Warwick, and brother, T.E. Beck, serving in the 11th Hussars."
Thomas Edward Beck [son]
Thomas Edward Beck was born in Hounslow, Middlesex, and enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Coventry on the 7th of November 1874 for 12 years. He was then aged 18 years and 2 months, 5' 7" tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. On the 31st of July 1876 he had transferred (as a Pte.) to the 11th Hussars. Only one regimental number is shown on his documents, No. 1459, but there is no indication as to which particular regiment it applies to. To L/Cpl., 31st of August 1878, Cpl., 11th of February 1879, L/Sergeant, 14th of May 1880, Sergeant, 7th of July 1881, T.S.M., 18th of June 1884 and to Regimental Sergeant Major on the 14th of August 1891. He retired from the service on the 14th of August 1897.
He had served in India from October of 1876 to January of 1878, South Africa from July of 1890 to October of 1892 and again in India from October of 1892 to May of 1894. He attended a Musketry Course at Hythe in 1883 and a Signalling Course at Aldershot in 1885, and obtained his 2nd Class Certificate of Education on the 3rd of December 1878. On 21st of April 1883 he had married Emma May Paul at St. Michael and All Angel's, Birmingham, and they had four known children. Previous to his marriage his next of kin was shown as "Thomas E. Beck, a saddler, of Atherstone, Warwick, and brother, T.E. Beck, serving in the 11th Hussars."
William Beck [son]
William Beck was born at Cahir, Co. Tipperary, and enlisted into the 13th Hussars at Canterbury on the 29th of January 1883, with the Regimental No. of 2156. He had previously served in the 3rd. Bn. of the Staffordshire Militia. He was 5' 7" in height, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair, his trade being that of a saddler, and his religion C. of E.
He is shown as having a "crossed sword tattoo on his left fore-arm." Appointed Saddler on the 29th of November 1884, Saddler-Corporal on the 29th of January 1887 and to Saddler-Sergeant on the 12th of June 1888. He was discharged from Dundalk on the 13th of May 1895 — "On termination of 1st period of engagement." Served in the East Indies from September of 1883 to November of 1884 and in South Africa from November of 1884 to November of 1885. He passed a Course in Saddlery at Woolwich and obtained his 4th Class Certificate of Education on the 23rd of January 1884 and his 2nd. Class on the 19th of March 1886. His father, Thomas Beck, of Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, was shown as his next of kin on enlistment, and he married Mary Ellen Paul at Birmingham on the 8th of February 1891.
Two other men named Beck are known to have served in the Army and all were probably related:
Charles Isaac Beck [brother?]
The first was Charles Isaac Beck, who was possibly a brother of 1378 Thomas E. Beck of the 11th Hussars as he named "Thomas E. Beck" as his next of kin when he enlisted at Atherstone into the 19th Hussars on the 21st of March 1863 as No. 549 and joining the Cavalry Depot at Maidstone. He was 18 years 2 months of age, 5' 8" in height, and with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and light brown hair. He was a hatter by trade. He was in the custody of the Civil Power for "assault" from the 31st of January to the 28th of February 1864 and was then transferred to the 11th Hussars as No 747 on the 31st of May 1864.
He was promoted from Private straight to Saddler-Sergeant on the 15th of April 1873 and was re-engaged to complete 21 years on the 19th of April 1875. Embarking for England aboard the H.M.S.T. "Malabar" from India on the 6th of December 1877 (having served in India since July of 1866) he reverted to Private "at his own request," on the 2nd of July 1879, but was again promoted to Saddler-Sergeant on the 1st of September 1879. Discharged from the Army at Leeds on the 14th of July 1884, "in consequence of the termination of his second period of engagement." Conduct: "Very good — Habits, regular." He had been awarded the Long Service & Good Conduct medal on the 9th of November 1882, with a gratuity of £5. On the 8th of November 1879 he had married Olive Croak at St. Saviour's, Pimlico, London, and they had four known children.
(This must be something of a record to have two men of the same surname who were Saddler-Sergeants of the Regiment in succession, as well as being brothers.)
Charles Beck [relative?]
A Charles Beck enlisted into the 2nd Life Guards as No. 1802 at Windsor on the 12th of May 1891. Said to have been "Born on a troop-ship on the way home from India," he was 20 years 3 months of age, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He was 6' 0" in height, a saddler by trade, and being of the C. of E. religion.
He purchased his discharge on the 14th of September 1893, at which time his mother, Amelia Beck, of Long Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, was shown as his next of kin.
On the 15th of September 1895 he re-enlisted into the Royal Artillery, being shown as a Gunner from the 9th of August 1894 and Acting Bombardier from the 21st of September 1895. He transferred back to the 2nd Life Guards on the 2nd of December 1896 and again purchased his discharge, "At his own request, and on payment of the sum of £8, under Article 142 of the Royal Warrant" on the 29th of April 1897. (This man could well have been another son of 1378 Thomas Beck, as the year of his birth would agree with that when Thomas Beck returned to England for discharge.)
[RM: Dreweatts Auction, March 2011, Lot 16.]
A Unique and Documented Crimea Pair to Saddler-Sergeant Thomas E. Beck of The 11th Prince Alberts Hussars, Crimea 1854-56, Four Clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjeant Thomas Edward Beck. 11th Prince Alberts Hussars), Turkish Crimea, Sardinian die, engraved (Sergeant Thomas Edward Beck. 11th Prince Alberts Hussars).
1378 Beck (Corporal Thomas), Born: 1828 at Blackfriars, London. A saddler prior to his enlistment on 25th April 1848, Promoted Corporal: 24th July 1854, Promoted: Saddler-Sergeant: 27th November 1854. On duty at Scutari: 1st April to 10th May 1855. Re-engaged for 12 years: 25th April 1860 at Birmingham. Long Service Good Conduct Medal: 1st October 1869. Discharged: 9th November 1872 at Muttra, India. Medals: Crimea (A.B.I.S.), Turkish Medal, Long Service Good Conduct (£5 Annuity). On his discharge papers, Beck was described as being 5'- 8" with grey eyes and light brown hair. His son, James, was Saddler-Sergeant in the 11th and retired about 1905.
The Atherstone News, Friday June 27th 1890, contained the following obituary:
"During his 25 years service in the regiment of the 11th Hussars, the late Mr T. E. Beck (formerly saddler sergeant), who expired on the 19th instant, at his residence, Long Street. Atherstone, had seen a considerable active life. He took part in the Crimean campaign in the year 1854; was present at the battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkermann and also the seige of Sebastopol in the same year. In the Balaclava engagement he narrowly escaped being fatally shot, the bullet penetrating his busby. On another occasion he escaped death under similar circumstances, his horse being shot under him."
Thomas Edward died on the 19th June 1890 at the age of 61, his death certificate described his occupation as Saddler Master and Army Pensioner.
His gravestone in the Atherstone cemetery reads:
"In Loving Memory Thomas Edward Beck June 19, 1890 Aged 61 Years One of the 600 of Balaclava Resting Til the Day Break and Shadows Flee Away Thomas Edward Beck 1828-1890."
Thomas was born on the 25th of November 1828 in Blackfriars, London. He was christened at Saint Saviour in Southwark, Surrey on the 22nd of February 1829. On the 25th of April 1848, at the age of 19 years 5 months, Thomas enlisted into the 11th Hussars. In the April 1851 census, Thomas was a private at the cavalry barracks in Pockthorpe, near Norwich.
After six years home service, Thomas left with the regiment for the Crimea in 1854 and remained there until March 1856. While in the Crimea, he earned a Good Conduct Medal on the 31st May 1854. On 24th of July he was promoted to Corporal and again to Saddler Sergeant on the 27th of November 1854.
A Great War Group of Five to Private T. E. Beck, 11th Hussars, 1914 Star, 5th Aug-22nd Nov. 1914 'Mons' clasp (10265 Private T. E. Beck. 11/Hrs), British War and Victory Medals (10265 Private T. E. Beck. 11/Hrs), War Medal 1939-45, Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GRV Southern Rhodesia bar (24. Col. Sergeant T. E. Beck.), mounted for wearing, together with related dress miniatures. Royal Visit to South Africa 1947 Commemorative Medal (Lieut. T. E. Beck. S.R. Staff Corps), An M.O.T.H. tie pin and a M.O.T.H. lapel badge, (lot).]
