Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Bombardier A. E. Beeks, 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, who was also killed in action on the Somme, 12 November 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (278 Bmbr: A. E. Beeks 1/Bde: Aust: F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (278 Bdr. A. E. Beeks. 1 F.A.B. A.I.F.) mounted for display, genuinely very fine or better (3) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘Throughout the period 22-27 July near Pozieres this N.C.O. assisted to maintain Battery and Right Battalion liaison officers' telephone lines. He was constantly under heavy shell fire, setting a splendid example to the men working with him and without his devotion to duty the work of the Field Artillery on this flank would have been impossible to carry out. It would be impossible to speak too highly of the work of this N.C.O. on the right flank and back through Contalmaison.’

Allan Edward Beeks was born in Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia, and educated at Pyrmont State School. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, at Sydney, 24 August 1914, and embarked for the Middle East with the 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade in October 1914. Beeks served with the latter in Gallipoli from 25 April 1915, before being evacuated to Egypt in January 1916 (entitled to 1914-15 Star).

Beeks advanced to Bombardier in April 1916, and served with the 2nd Battery, 1st Field Artillery Brigade as part of the 1st Australian Division in the French theatre of war from May 1916. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations near Pozieres, Somme, 22-27 July 1916. Beeks moved with his Battery to the front at Flers, 26 October 1916, and was killed in action whilst still serving on the Somme, 12 November 1916.

Bombardier Beeks is buried in the A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers, Somme, France.