Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Major A. F. V. Beck, 12th Frontier Force, Indian Army, who was wounded in action on 25 January 1945, for which action he was Mentioned in Despatches

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (2-Lt. A. F. V. Beck, U.L. I.A.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, minor edge bruise, good very fine (5) £180-£220

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 January 1946.
The original Recommendation states: ‘On 23rd January (1945) the battalion less A and C companies who were on their separate tasks moved to Chauka on the main road to Monywa and about 12 miles short of it. The next day D company under Major Beck was also sent as Mocol 3 on a long range penetration task to operate behind the enemy on their lines of communication in the Naungbyubin area. The company reached this village on the 25th and set up a base to the North of it. Before however it could set about preparing an ambush it was discovered by the enemy who opened fire from three sides. The company appeared to be in danger of being surrounded and Major Beck asked for an air strike but this was impracticable owing to the enemy being so close. He hung on but by evening enemy fire was causing casualties and Major Beck decided to withdraw from what appeared a dangerous position. At first there was some difficulty in disengaging but later an organised withdrawal by bounds was carried out. During this Major Beck was himself hit but refused assistance until he was too weak to continue. He was taken back on an improvised stretcher managing all the while to direct the withdrawal. This was done by compass and the night was spent in safety out of touch of the enemy who had been between 200 and 300 strong considerably outnumbering the company.’

Anthony Francis Vernon Beck was born in Rawalpindi on 5 April 1919 and was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 1 July 1939 and proceeding to India was placed on the Unattached List, Indian Army, attached 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He transferred to the 1/12th Frontier Force on 6 December 1939. Promoted Lieutenant in January 1941, he trained in army signalling, chemical warfare, tactical and guerrilla warfare, and was posted to the 9/12th Frontier Force in April 1941. He was promoted Company Commander as a Captain on 18 December 1944, and served during the Burma campaign, being wounded in action on 25 January 1945, for services for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. Given the outstanding citation, it is reasonable to speculate that consideration was possibly given to whether or not Beck should be awarded a Military Cross

Beck was promoted Major on 7 September 1945, and by May 1946 was in receipt of Parachute qualification pay, so at some stage he may have been attached to the Parachute Regiment. He was injured on 6 July 1946 whilst on military duty, and returned to the U.K. on 12 June 1947.