1st South Lancs CO at Dunkirk

[Owen]

Reading about shot down Spitfire pilot shot down at Dunkirk, he meets up with a South Lancs Bn and is introduced to their CO, who has a VC, DSO, MC and bar.

Looking around in books and Google but can't name him.
Anyone know who he could be?

[Owen]

Answered it myself with a bit more time and care used in the search.
DANIEL MARCUS WILLIAM BEAK VC

From 1939-40 Beak commanded the 1st Battalion, the South Lancashire Regiment


He died in Swindon a few months before I was born.
Cheltonian Victoria Cross Holders

BROOKWOOD CEMETERY
Died
3 May 1967,
Swindon, Wiltshire

[turenne]

Congratulations on answering your own question! Is there any relatively straightforward way of finding out battalion COs' names during the France & Flanders campaign?

[airborne medic]

Don't think there is an easy way to get all the CO's names from the 1940 campaign....can't recall a 'Who was Who' from 1940 for the BEF......I think I can find out who was CO of 1st Borders but it would probably be a case of working out who was in the BEF in 1940 and then either wading through all the War Diaries at the NA to see if his name can be gleaned or asking regimental museums......
There used to be the Dunkirk Veterans Association but I believe they disbanded in 2000 on the 60th anniversary......

[CROONAERT]

Funny you should mention that. I've just been reading the Regimental History for the 1/East Lancs 1939-40 and thought it was odd that the CO is practically the only officer not named (he's just referred to as "The C.O." throughout even though it mentions his 2iC and adjutant by name).

Dave

[airborne medic]

The CO of 1st Borders until early May was Lt Colonle Chambers but apparently after a disagreement with his Brigade commmander was replaced by a Major Hennessey....

[CROONAERT]

Originally Posted by CROONAERT

I've just been reading the Regimental History for the 1/East Lancs 1939-40 and thought it was odd that the CO is practically the only officer not named (he's just referred to as "The C.O." throughout even though it mentions his 2iC and adjutant by name).

Durrr! I think I'm having more than my fair share of "blonde moments" this week! It's only written by him isn't it!!!!

Dave.

(Lt.Col. (back then) J.W.Pendlebury DSO MC)

[liverpool annie]

Commander Daniel Marcus William BEAK VC, DSO, MC & Bar

Born in Southampton and lived in Cambray, Cheltenham, whilst placed in charge of the YMCA Cheltenham prior to joining the Royal Naval Reserve in 1915. Awarded the VC for exceptional gallantry during the period 21 August - 4 September 1918 in the Logeast Wood area of France. Died in Swindon in 1967 and buried in an unmarked plot in Brookwood Cemetery. A commemorative plaque was erected in his memory at the Cheltenham War Memorial on 27th September 2006.




27th September 2006. Dave and Jimmy attend the unveiling of a bronze commemorative plaque to Maj Gen Daniel Marcus Beak, VC. Official guests included Philippe Drouin, Vice-President of the Somme Remembrance Association and Teddy Colligan, Custodian of the 36th (Ulster Division) Tower, Thiepval Wood.

The Rev Lionel Fitz (President Cheltenham YMCA and Acting RBL Chaplain) leads the unveiling ceremony. Wreaths were laid by Mayor of Cheltenham Jacky Fletcher, Philippe Drouin Vice President Somme Remembrance Association (front of picture) and Didy Grahame, VC and GC Association.
Captain RN Kevin Wilson and Brigadier Kit Jebens, CBE, read accounts of Daniel Beak's career in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and in the South Lancashire Regiment, respectively.

Latest News - Leaving Cheltenham ....... and all that was dear.

Daniel Marcus William Beak - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia