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Cenotaph record

Harold Frederick Beckham

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Harold Frederick AWMM
  • Surname
    Beckham AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
    Flash AWMM
  • Service number
    634020 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    4 May 1922 AWMM Ngongotaha, Bay of Plenty AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Victoria Street, Dargaville, North Auckland, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs L.B.R. Beckham (wife), C/o C.E. Ray, Whitford R.D., New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Pre 28 September 1944 AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
    Italy AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    634020 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) AWMM
      DCM. London Gazette, 18 October 1945, citation: "On 20 April 1945, Corporal Beckham's platoon was across the Idice River, Italy, defending a large building close to the river bank when an attempt was made to send another Company across. A forward platoon of this Company suffered casualties and were pinned down when they came under close and accurate fire from two enemy machine guns previously concealed. The position was quickly appreciated by the platoon across the river and Lance Corporal Beckham volunteered to deal with the enemy machine-gun posts. Supported by covering fire and followed by two men, he attacked the first post by himself, killing the three occupants. From then on he could not be supported by covering fire but cleverly worked his way up a communication trench, killing two more parachutists on his way, finally reached the second gun and killed its two-man crew. He then searched a nearby house, found it empty, and returned to his platoon. Lance Corporal Beckham's action freed the platoon which was pinned down and enabled it to cross the river and take up its position without further casualties. Other troops followed and the bridgehead was made secure. This non-commissioned officer has always displayed a fearless courage and complete disregard for his own safety and was a splendid example to all those who served with him." AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Italy Star AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Hospital Diseases , Wounds, WWII AWMM
    Wounded 9 February 1945 AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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Death

About death

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  • Death
    12 June 1995 AWMM
    Age 73 AWMM
    Kaitaia, Northland AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    Cremated AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
  • References
    • Polaschek, A. (1983). The Complete New Zealand Distinguished Conduct Medal. Christchurch, N.Z.: Medals Research. AWMM
    • Burdon, R. (1959). 24 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
    • 24 N.Z. Infantry Battalion Association [newsletter]. Auckland, N.Z.: The Association. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 14 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1944 to 31st December, 1944). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 14: WW2 9 AWMM
    • Burdon, R. (1959). 24 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      Burdon, R. (1959). p.328 AWMM
    • 24 N.Z. Infantry Battalion Association [newsletter]. Auckland, N.Z.: The Association. AWMM
      24th N.Z. Infantry Battalion Association newsletter. July 1995, Issue 113 AWMM
    • Fortune, G. & Bebich, M. (2008). Citizenship and remembrance : a history of the 24 NZ Infantry Battalion Association. Auckland, N.Z.: Polygraphia. AWMM

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