BORN ALERTHORPE 1892. ELDEST SON OF HENRY & HANNAH BECKETT OF KIRBY KNOWLE, THIRSK. HIS WIFE, EDITH EMILY BECKETT, AND SON WILLIAM HENRY (BORN 07/11/1915), LIVED AT 3 RIPLEY AVENUE, PERTH STREET, HULL (CWGC ADDRESS).
HE ENLISTED IN HULL. SERVED WITH THE 1ST EAST YORKSHIRE BATTALION. WAS KILLED IN ACTION, AT THE SOMME, ON 16/09/1916, AGED 24. COMMEMORATED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE, TO THE MISSING.
Private William Beckett 22861. Unit: 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. Death: 16 September 1916, missing, Somme, Western Front. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
CWGC family information: son of Henry and Hannah Beckett, of Kirkby Knowle, Thirsk; husband of Edith Emily Beckett, of 3, Ripley Avenue, Perth St., Hull.
William Beckett oldest son of Henry Beckett [b.1871 Melbourne, North Yorks.] and Hannah Beckett [b.1863 Stanhope, Co. Durham]. Born in the second quarter of 1891 at Allerthorpe, near Pocklington, North Yorks.
The 1901 census records him living at Paradice [sic] Hill, Kirby Knowle, North Yorks. With his parents and younger brother, George E [b.1892 Allerthorpe, North Yorks.]. His father’s occupation is recorded as Groom & Gardener.
The 1911 census records him working as a live-in Under Gardener for the Jackson family at Harland Rise House, Harland Way, Cottingham, North Yorks.
On 22nd September 1914 he marries to Edith Emily Dodd at Barrow-upon-Humber, Lincs.
He enlisted in the East Yorkshire Regiment on the 10th December 1915. His papers record that at the time of joining, he was employed as a Tram Driver. His address was 8 Summercroft Avenue, New Holland, Barton-upon-Humber. The property still survives.
He embarked for France on 20th July 1917 and was posted to the 1st Btn, East Yorks Btn. On the 19th September 1916 he was wounded in action. Two months later, on 17th November he is reported as wounded and missing.
His wife was awarded a pension of 18 shillings per week for her and their son William Henry born 7th November 1916, Hull.
