Daniel Beak
| Daniel Beak | |
|---|---|
King George V presents the VC to Commander Daniel Beak at Valenciennes, 6 December 1918
|
|
| Born |
27 July 1891 Southampton, Hampshire |
| Died | 3 May 1967 (aged 75) Swindon, Wiltshire |
| Buried | Brookwood Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
Royal Navy (1915–19) British Army (1921–45) |
| Years of service | 1915–1919 1921–1945 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held |
151st Infantry Brigade (1942–43) GOC Malta (1942) 12th Infantry Brigade (1940–41) 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (1938–40) Drake Battalion (1918–19) Howe Battalion (1917–18) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Military Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches (3) |
Major General Daniel Marcus William Beak, VC, DSO, MC & Bar (27 July 1891 – 3 May 1967) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Beak was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 27 July 1891 and educated at Taunton's School.
Beak joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a rating on 2 February 1915, but before seeing action was commissioned as a temporary sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Division in May 1915. He was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, but it is not clear from his service record if he saw action in that theatre. He arrived in France in May 1916, and after being appointed adjutant of the Drake Battalion on 2 March 1917, he ended up commanding his battalion as an acting commander between 19 March 1917 and 3 April 1917. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant commander on relinquishing command, and attached to headquarters.
He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in January 1917, and a Bar to his MC on 18 July 1917. The citations read:
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Military Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Warrant Officers, in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field :—
...
Wikipedia