ARTHUR THOMAS BECKETT

Born: 1886, Ipswich.

Baptised on the 2^nd May 1886, at St. Nicholas’ Church, Ipswich, with his sister, Sarah Elizabeth Beckett – family home at Porter’s Cottages, Ipswich.

Died on or since death presumed: 26th August 1914; age 28; KiA at the Battle of Mons.

In January 1916, Arthur’s widow, of 35, Victoria Street, and his parents, of 14, Stoke Street, were notified that Arthur Beckett, who had been previously reported missing on the 26^th August 1914, was now officially reported killed on the same date.

Residence: 35, Victoria Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: with Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Orwell Works, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Ipswich.

Date of Entry Therein: 22nd August 1914.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 7960

Regiment: Essex Regiment, 2nd Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.

Grave 1 contains the bodies of 112 soldiers of the 4^th Division who fell in August 1914. 47 of the British soldiers are unnamed and known only to God.

Grave Reference:

1.

Esnes Communal Cemetery,

France.

CENSUS

1891   19, Chapman’s Yard, Ipswich.

Arthur was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Arthur William Beckett, 29, a Quay Labourer, born Ipswich.

Margaret Sarah Beckett (nee Bruty), 28, a Stay Dresser, born Ipswich.

Elizabeth Sarah Beckett, 6, born Ipswich.

Bertie Charles Beckett, 2, born Ipswich.

1901   5, Kemp Street, Ipswich.

Arthur was 15 years old, a Dyer’s Porter. He was living with his parents & siblings.

Arthur, a Dock Labourer.

Margaret, 37.

Sarah, 16, a Vest Hand – Tailor.

Bertie, 12.

Alice Mary Ann Beckett, 9, born Ipswich.

Lilian Beckett, 7, born Ipswich.

Charles William Beckett, 6, born Ipswich.

Violet Gertrude Beckett, 2, born Ipswich.

Emma Eliza Beckett, 3 months, born Ipswich.

Arthur’s family were living at 26, Victoria Street, Ipswich, on the 1911 census.

Beatrice, 25.

May, 5.

Emily Southgate, 46, a widow, a Charwoman, born Debenham, Suffolk.

In 1907, in Ipswich, Arthur married Beatrice Annie Summers, born 1885, Ipswich – granddaughter of William Summers, a boot and shoe maker – own account, and Harriet Summers (nee Hart), of 7, Gibbons Street, Ipswich.

Beatrice’s birth mother, Emily Summers, married Frederick Southgate in 1893. They made their home at 26, Victoria Street, Ipswich.

Beatrice and Arthur had two children:

Dorothy May Summers Beckett, born April 1906, Ipswich.

Arthur William Frederick Beckett, born June 1913, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Beatrice Annie Beckett – widow.

Arthur is also remembered on the Ransomes Sims & Jefferies Orwell Works war memorial, Ipswich – now kept at the Stowmarket East Anglian Life Museum.

and at  St Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.

THE ESSEX REGIMENT 2nd Battalion: http://www.1914-1918.net/essex.htm