Sergeant Samuel Beckett
8952 2nd East Lancashire Regiment
Killed in Action 5th April 1917
Lived at 12 Celia Street
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Burnley Express 28th November 1914 ? - 12th December 1914 - 28th April 1917 - 28th April 1917

Fought at Mons
Burnley Sergeant Killed by a Shell ( Burnley News April 1917)

Sergeant Samuel Beckett, 2nd East Lancashire Regiment, whose wife resides at 12, Celia Street, Burnley is reported to have been killed in action on April 5th. He is the only son of P.C. Beckett, of the Burnley Police Force, and Mrs. Beckett, of 26, Linden Street, Burnley. Two letters conveying sad news to his wife were received from officers of the regiment. Captain J. Dawson wrote:

“I deeply regret to inform you that your dear husband, Sergeant Beckett, of the 2nd East Lancs. Regt., was killed on the afternoon of the 5th inst. He had gone forward, together with two men, to visit a post in our outpost line, and they were all evidently hit by a shell, as we afterwards found them lying in a shell hole. Your husband did not belong to my company, but was attached for duty. He was a good, brave man, and I had a good deal of confidence in him. The loss will be felt by all in the battle platoon of which he was in charge, and it will be difficult to replace him. I am forwarding to you a couple of pocket books found on him. One of them contained a lot of photos, all of which are marked by pieces of shell. Together with his comrades I offer you our deepest sympathy in your sad loss.”

Second Lieutenant Reichard wrote :

“I regret very much to inform you that you husband was killed yesterday. I hope it will be some slight comfort to you to know that he was killed instantly by a shell. His loss is a great blow to the officers and men of this regiment, and personally I feel as if I had lost one of my best friends. His absolute disregard for danger and his extreme cheerfulness never failed to keep up our spirits, even in the most adverse circumstances, and he won the respect and admiration of all those with whom he came into contact. I would like to offer you the deepest sympathy of those who served with him and under him.”

Sergeant Beckett was called up as a reservist at the outbreak of the war, and he took part in the retreat from Mons. The following November he was wounded at Ypres, losing his left little finger. In December, 1914, he was home on leave, and later returned to the front. He joined the regular army about eight years ago, and served nearly three years in India. When he was called up in August 1914, he was working at Towneley Pit. He was a member of the Men’s Sodality of St. Mary’s R. C. Church, and was an instructor to the Boy’s Brigade. Sergeant Beckett was held in the highest esteem, and the news of his death will be received with keen regret by his numerous friends. Sincere sympathy will be felt for his widow and parents.