Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the grandson son of James Beckingham, a thatcher, born 1836 in Thruxton, Hampshire and his wife Mary Ann, born 1838 in Thruxton. Henry Edward was born on the 25th August 1882 in Thruxton, he had one sibling, a brother Walter, born 1887 in Thruxton. In April 1891 he was a schoolboy and was residing as a visitor at Pill Heath Cottages, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Andover, Hampshire. In March 1901 Henry was employed as a journeyman baker and was residing as a boarder at Street, Kimpton, Andover, Hampshire. In April 1911 Henry was employed in a fried fish shop as a fish fryer and was residing in the family home at Vines Yard, Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire together with his wife, Catherine Mary Beckingham (nee Snow, married on the 19th March 1906 in Melton Mowbray parish church), born 19th August 1885 in Melton Mowbray and their daughter Kathleen, born 21st April 1907 in Melton Mowbray. There were four further children, Gladys M., born 1913, Frances G., born 1915 and Henry Edward, born 1916, all the children were born in Melton Mowbray, and a younger boy, Henry B. was born and died in 1910. In 1939 Henry’s widow was residing at 67, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray.
Henry attested into the Army on a Short Service. (Cavalry of the Line.) engagement of (7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve, or, if the man completes his 7 years service with the Colours while beyond the seas, then for a further period, not exceeding one year, with the Colours, and the remainder of the 12 years in the Reserve.) on the 13th January 1902 in Winchester. He gave his place of birth as Thruxton, Andover, Hants., his age as 19 years and 4 months and his trade or calling as baker. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father James, mother Mary and younger brother Walter of Thruxton, Andover, Hants., as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 19 years and 5 months and that he was 5 foot 6¾ inches in height, weighed 133 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had blue eyes and brown hair. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 13th January 1902 in Winchester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot at Aldershot of the Dragoons of the Line as a Private, service number 5904 on the 14/1/02. Posted to R Squadron 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) on the 13/1/02. Admitted to Hospital in Aldershot suffering from influenza on the 26/2/02. Discharged from Hospital on the 23/3/02. Admitted to Hospital in Aldershot suffering from a sore throat on the 15/8/02. Discharged from Hospital on the 27/8/02. Posted to Norwich on the 16/4/03. Extended to complete 8 years with the Colours on the 1/4/04. Granted Service Pay Class II @ 4d a day on the 1/4/04. Transferred to the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and allotted the service number 5313 on the 10/6/04. Posted to -?- on the 10/5/06. Embarked aboard S.S. Caestrian on the 13/5/06. Posted to Abbassia, Cairo on the 24/5/06. Posted to Cairo on the 10/7/06. Granted 2nd Good Conduct Badge on the 13/1/07. Granted 1d increase in Service Pay after 5 years service on the 13/1/07. Embarked aboard S.S. Braemar Castle on the 7/10/08. Posted to Hounslow on the 20/10/08. Transferred to the Army Reserve 1st Class on the 12/1/10. Discharged at the termination of first period of engagement on the 12/1/14. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 13/1/02 – 12/5/06, 4 years 120 days. Egypt, 13/5/06 – 20/10/08, 2 years 161 days. Home Service, 21/10/08 – 12/1/10, 1 year 84 days. Army Reserve, 13/1/10 – 12/1/14, 4 years. Total service 12 years. On transfer to the Army Reserve his conduct was recorded as exemplary, he had attained his 2nd Class Certificate of Army Education, his musketry classification was 1st Class and he held two Good Conduct Badges. He gave his home address as 24, King Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. On the termination of his first period of engagement he gave his place of residence as 55, Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
The War Diary records: 20 Nov-17 – TRENCHES. 2.00 am. Battalion Headquarters relieved in RAILWAY RESERVE by 13th KING’S LIVERPOOL REGIMENT. Companies moved into assembly positions preparatory to attack, move complete by 5.30 am. ZERO 6.20 am. At 6.28 am Battalion attacked. 7.25 am all objectives taken. Heavy hostile shelling of support and old front line. 34 prisoners captured. Occasional sniping during night. Casualties: 12 Other ranks killed and 27 Other ranks wounded. Lieutenant F. E. RAYNER, 2nd Lieutenant A. DIXON and 2nd Lieutenant L. E. WARD wounded. 22 Other ranks reported for duty from base. 2nd Lieutenant G. HOUGHTON proceeded on leave.
On Friday December 7th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – (A photograph accompanied the article). - CORPL. H. E. BECKINGHAM. – Mrs. Beckingham, who lives at 55, Thorpe End, was notified on Saturday morning that he husband, Corpl. Henry E. Beckingham, West Yorks., was killed in action on Nov. 20th. The news was conveyed by means of a regimental card worded as follows: “The Commanding Officer and all ranks of the ---- (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment wish to express to you their deep regret at the loss of No. 40589 Corpl. H. E. Beckingham and offer you their sincere sympathy in your sorrow. He died doing his duty. R. C. Smythe, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding ---- (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regt.” On the back was written “killed in action, 20th Nov. 1917.” Corpl. Beckingham was an old soldier, having already been in the army 12 years before the present war broke out. He served eight years with the 6th Dragoon Guards (two and a half years being spent in Egypt), and four years in the Reserve, the latter part of his service being spent at the local Army Remount Depot. He was then in the employ of Mr. Alfred Hudson, fish and chip merchant, for five and a half years, but voluntarily re-joined the army two years ago, his calling up papers being received seven months afterwards. He first joined the Leicester’s, but was subsequently transferred to the West Yorks. Deceased was wounded in the arm some months ago, and was sent out to France again on his recovery. He was very popular with all ranks in his company, and was well known locally. Much sympathy will be felt for the bereaved widow and four young children.
On Friday January 4th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CORPORAL KILLED. – Wednesday’s official casualty lists contained the announcement that 40589 Corpl. H. E. Beckingham (Melton Mowbray), West Yorks. Regt. has been killed.
On Friday November 22nd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” IN MEMORIAM. BECKINGHAM. – In ever loving memory of my dearly beloved husband, Henry Edward Beckingham, who was killed in action Nov. 20th, 1917.
Christ will link the broken chain.
Closer when we meet again.
From Wife and Children.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Cpl 40589 Henry Edward Beckingham, 12th btn Prince of Wales's Own West Yorkshire Regt. formerly 6940, Leicestershire Regt., was killed in action on Nov 20th 1917 and rests in grave V C 6 at the H.A.C. Cemetery in France. He had earned the War and Victory medals. Henry, aged 35, was the son of George and Ellen Beckingham of Breamor, Hampshire, and the husband of Katherine Mary Beckingham of 22 Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray.
Information from B Oliver, 08/10/2021

Photograph taken when sent home wounded, image of grave marker, and his obituary provided by AK Poulton, 22/06/23.