Herbert Musgrove Beck

Herbert Musgrove Beck
Rank 
Second Lieutenant
Regiment 
Royal Flying Corps
Date of death 
22 January 1918
Age of death 
22
Address 
45 Mayfair Avenue
Ilford
RED
IG1 3DJ
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Photo source 
War Memorial Gazette
Biography 

Herbert Musgrove Beck, or ‘Bertie’ as he was known, was born on 3rd December 1895 to Herbert and Ada Beck.

He grew up in the comfortable surroundings of 45 Mayfair Avenue, Ilford, and was educated at Bancroft’s School and Ilford County High School. On leaving school, Bertie went to work in the City of London for the Union Castle Steamship Company.

On 3rd September 1914, shortly after war was declared, Bertie volunteered for the 3rd/5th City of London Rifle Brigade. He saw service on the Western Front before being wounded in the foot in 1916.

Bertie was offered a medical discharge but he declined and although unfit for infantry front lines he continued with service and was posted to the Training Reserve Brigade in November 1916.

In February 1917, Bertie was recommended for a commission into the Royal Flying Corps and undertook training before successfully becoming a pilot officer. Second Lieutenant Beck went back to France in August 1917 and joined 3 Squadron, a fighter squadron flying Sopwith Camel aeroplanes.

In November 1917, he had leave from the Royal Flying Corps and returned to Ilford to spend time with his family. When he returned, he continued to fly and was responsible for shooting down several enemy aircraft and attacking German trenches, a very hazardous operation.

In January 1918, Bertie was posted with 6th Squadron and trained pilots flying RE8 bombers. He taught low flying bombing techniques to drop bombs into German trenches or aerodromes.

On 22nd January 1918, while flying a Sopwith Camel aeroplane, his aircraft plunged 500 feet in the air to the ground. Bertie was killed instantly. He was 22 years old.

He was buried with full military honours at the military cemetery at St. Pierre, Amiens, Northern France.

Research by Redbridge Museum, with thanks to John Barfoot

Sources:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Ancestry.com

For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.