Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Beck, an innkeeper and bricklayer, born on the 1st February 1862 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th November 1865 in St. James’ Church, Newbold Verdon and his wife Amelia Beck (nee Tomlinson, married on the 27th May 1886 in All Saint’s Church, Cadeby, Leicestershire), born in the 1st quarter of 1864 in Osbaston, Leicestershire and baptised on the 1st May 1864 in All Saint’s Church, Cadeby. Robert was born on the 15th February 1896 in Carlton, Market Bosworth, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th March 1896 in St. Andrew’s Church, Carlton, his siblings were, James Henry Tomlinson, born on the 13th April 1886 in Osbaston and baptised on the 4th July 1886 in St. James’ Church, Newbold Verdon, John Thomas, born on the 5th May 1888 in Newbold Verdon and baptised on the 3rd June 1888 in St. James’ Church, Newbold Verdon, Albert, born in the 1st quarter of 1891 and baptised on the 5th April 1891 in All Saint’s Church, Cadeby and Beatrice Louisa, born on the 27th June 1893 and baptised on the 3rd September 1893 in All Saint’s Church, Cadeby, the latter two siblings were both born in Osbaston, Robert’s twin, Arthur, born on the 15th February 1896 and baptised on the 15th March 1896 in St. Andrew’s Church, Carlton, and Amelia, born on the 30th May 1898 and baptised on the 26th June 1898 in St. Andrew’s Church, Carlton, the latter two siblings were both born in Carlton, in March 1901 the family home was at The Gate Inn, Carlton. In April 1911 Robert was absent from the family home at 57, Mill Lane, Newbold Verdon, residing there was his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, James, Arthur, Amelia, William, born on the 19th January 1902 and baptised on the 16th February 1902 in St. Andrew’s Church, Carlton and Nathaniel, born on the 18th April 1904 and baptised on the 15th May 1904 in St. Andrew’s Church, Carlton, the latter two siblings were both born in Osbaston.
Robert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 10th December 1915 in Newbold Verdon, and was allotted the service number 5835. He gave his place of birth as Carlton, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 28 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as bricklayer. He gave his present address as Newbold Verdon, Near Leicester.
His medical examination took place in Newbold Verdon on the 10th December 1915 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 151 days, that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, weighed 140 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Henry Beck, Mill Street, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Embarked. From Southampton. With the 2/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 24/2/17.
Disembarked. At Havre. 25/2/17.
Attached. 250th Employment Company. In the Field. 13/6/17
Returned to Unit. In the Field. 11/3/18.
Missing. In the Field. 23/3/18.
Rejoined Unit. In the Field. 7/4/18.
Granted Leave to UK. Entitled to 14 days Ration Allowance. 18/6/18 – 2/7/18.
Returned. To 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 27/8/18.
Admitted. 65th Field Ambulance. Gunshot wound feet. 9/10/18.
Died from wounds. In 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. 9/10/18.
Summary of Service.
Army Reserve. 10/12/15 – 25/1/16. 47 days.
Home Service. 26/1/16 – 24/2/17. 1 year 30 days.
Expeditionary Force France. 25/2/17 – 17/6/18. 1 year 113 days.
Home on Leave. 18/6/18 – 1/7/18. 14 days.
France. 2/7/18 – 9/10/18. 100 days.
Total Service. 2 years 304 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Robert’s surviving service record amounts to a total of eighteen pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in extremely poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.