BECKETT, Terence Maguire
| Service Number: | 4246 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 June 1916, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Eden, New South Wales, Australia, 24 October 1883 |
| Home Town: | Pambula, Bega Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | School Teacher |
| Died: | Natural causes, Balmain, New South Wales, Australia, 8 February 1957, aged 73 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Pambula District Soldiers Memorial, Parramatta NSW Public School Teachers Who Served Abroard Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4246, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4246, 29th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 3 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 4246, 29th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Sydney | |
| 26 Sep 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4246, 29th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood | |
| 28 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 4246, 29th Infantry Battalion, Breaching the Hindenburg Line - Cambrai / St Quentin Canal | |
| 12 Oct 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 5th Infantry Battalion | |
| 18 May 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 4246, 5th Infantry Battalion |
Congratulatory letter for Sir W.R. Birdwood
Congratulatory letter to the mother of Private Terence Macguire Beckett, Mary Beckett, from Sir W.R. Birdwood, Commanding the 1st Anzac Corps, dated 24th January, 1918;
Dear Madam, I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder copy of extract from Routine Orders issued by Lieutenant-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.N.C., C.I.E., D.S.C., Commanding 1st Anzac Corps, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by your son, No. 4246 Private T. McQ. Beckett, 29th Battalion.
CONGRATULATORY
"The Army Corps Commander wishes to express his appreciation of gallant services rendered by the undermentioned soldier during the recent operations - No 4246 Private T. McQ. Beckett."
The above has been promulgated in Australian Military Order, No 11 dated 12th January, 1918.
Submitted 20 July 2017 by John Lakey
The Battle of Polygon Wood
At the battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium on the 26th and 27th September 1917, Privates, BECKETT Terence, Macguire 4246 29th Battalion 'A' Company and ALLAN Arthur, William 154 29th Battalion 'A' Company were both cited by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Muir Purser for gallant actions and both soldiers were recommended for the Military Medal on 03/10/1917.
The citation read;
"In the attack on POLYGON WOOD on 26th. September, 1917, Private Beckett pushed forward with the attacking troops and took part in the fighting for the final objective.
When the objective had been taken Pte. Beckett assisted to establish and man an observation post, which was maintained throughout 26th. and 27th. September, in spite of being blown up on several occasions by enemy shell-fire. In this way much valuable information was obtained and never for a moment was Pte. Beckett deterred by enemy fire from bringing back information.
Under heavy shell-fire he assisted to bring in wounded, and then subsequently used as runner he carried out his work with great bravery and devotion"
Recommendation; MM
M. Purser Lieut. Colonel
C.O. 29th. Battalion
Submitted 20 July 2017 by John Lakey
Biography contributed by John Lakey
Terence Maguire BECKETT was born on 24th October 1883. His birth name was Terence Macguire BUCKETT, but he had it changed to BECKETT on 27th May 1908 with the concent and assistance of his then employer, The Department of Public Instruction of New South Wales.
Private Beckett notified the O.C. of 'A' Company of the name change in writing on 06th February 1917 when stationed at Hurdcott, U.K. (The letter resides in his service records).
He was born at Eden on the south coast of N.S.W. and spent his childhood in Pambula, N.S.W.
His Father was James Charles Buckett (1849-1929)
His Mother was Mary Winifred Buckett nee Smith (1845-1925)
He had one Sister and eight Brothers.
He married Eileen Cecilia Smith at Annandale, N.S.W. in 1936.
He died on 08th February 1957 in Balmain, N.S.W. at the age of 72.
Terence was one of ten children of James and Mary Buckett, his siblings were as follows;
1. Charles James Buckett DoB: 20/6/1875 DoD: 06/09/1960
2. Austin William Buckett YoB: 1876 YoD: 1962
3. Walter (Wally) John Buckett DoB: 23/08/1877 DoD: 08/01/1950
4. Darcy Joseph Buckett YoB: 1879 YoD: 1944
5. Stephen Patrick Buckett YoB: 1882 YoD: 1949
6. Alfred Augustine Buckett DoB: 15/05/1883 DoD: 26/04/1962
7. Mary Margaret (Ciss) Buckett YoB: 1885 YoD: 1963
8. Daniel Buckett YoB: 1887 YoD: 1957
9. Arthur Andrew Beckett YoB: 1889 YoD: 1979
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