Category: Military
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment or Ship: 7th London Regiment
Service Number(s): 2817; 350867
Date of Birth: 1897
Place of Birth: London
Date of Death: 20.08.1917
Place of Death: West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Place of Burial / Memorials:
XL.E.20. Poelcapelle, British Cemetery.
Address: 3 Colebrooke Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: James Heywood Becklake (1854-1937) and Mary Ann Becklake, nee Brook, (1870 -). Mary was James’ second wife – his first being Margaret Ann Becklake, nee Rigsby, (1850-1890).
Half Siblings:
James Thomas Becklake (1880-1965).
Frank Becklake (1882-1963).
Gertrude Ann Becklake (1885-1960).
Full Siblings:
Ethel Mary Becklake (1894- ).
Walter Becklake (1896- ).
Doris Kathleen Becklake (1901- ).
Hilda Marion Becklake (1909- ).
In 1911 the Becklake’s lived in Stoke Newington and moved to Bexhill on Sea sometime before 1917.
First World War Experience
As Arthur’s Service Records have not survived we only have the following article from a local Bexhill newspaper to give us some idea of his service.
“Sergeant Arthur Becklake, London Regiment, Youngest son of Mr. James H. Becklake of 3 Colebrook Road and of the late Mrs Becklake, was killed in action in France on the 20th alt. A shell fell near him, and as he was going to see if anyone was hurt, a second shell came, and his death was instantaneous. The young man was only 20 years of age. His comrades, writing to express their sympathy, speak of him in the highest terms.”
According to the above article Arthur was killed in France but the CWGC gives his place of death as West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Arthur was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.