BEAK, Daniel Marcus (1891-1967); Longest Wood, France, 21, 25 August & 4 September 1918 Plot 20/21

Grave location of the burial site unknown. It is regarded that Daniel Beak requested no memorial.

The Victoria Cross Is exhibited at the Imperial War Museum London.  His VC was presented by King George V Valenciennes on 6th December 1918. 

Daniel Beak was born on the 27th July 1891 at 42 Kent Road, St Denys, Southampton, Hampshire.  Daniel joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1915 age 24 – Drake Battalion and served till 1919.  He achieved the rank of Commander and served in Gallipoli.  It was during his time through the First World War that the event happened for which he received his VC. During the entire period of 21 – 25 August & 4 September 1918 at Longest Wood, France.

His Citation published in the London Gazette – 15th November 1918 reads.

“He led his men and captured four enemy positions under heavy fire, Four Days later. although dazed by a shell fragment, and in the absence of the brigade commander he reorganised the whole brigade under heavy gun fire and led his men to their objective. When the attack was held up, he accompanied by only one runner succeeded in breaking up a nest of machine guns taking ten prisoners. His initiative and confidence with which he inspired all ranks contributed very materially to the success of these operations”.

In 1920 he then joined the Army and took Command of the 12th Infantry Brigade & 151st Infantry Brigade and achieved the rank of Major-General. In 1923 Daniel married Matilda Ritchie, she died in 1930. During the Second World War he commanded the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (Prince of Wales Volunteers). He served in France in 1940 as Brigadier acting Major General and wat subsequently General Officer Commanding Troop in Malta, in 1942 He retired from service in 1945 Daniel Beak was honoured and lionised in his native town but bore himself very modestly. He was given the freedom of Southampton; testimonials were subscribed by the Borough and the School. his portrait as painted and hung in the School and he was honoured in a dozen way, not least in his own view by the invitation to preside at the first post-war Old Boy Dinner. In letter to his old Headmaster. Beak wrote. “I can only say I feel very undeserving of such an award, and my one regret is that it was not given to my Battalion, as a fitting acknowledgement of the magnificent deeds performed by those splendid men it has been my privilege to command, rather than to me personally.

A Memorial Plaque to Major General Daniel Beak VC 1891-1967 was unveiled at the Cheltenham War Memorial on 27 September 2006 in a ceremony organised by The Royal British Legion and sponsored by This England magazine Daniel Beak died on 3rd May 1967 at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon. Wiltshire at the age of 75 after a long illness