|
|
Daniel Marcus William Beak was born in Southampton, Hampshire, on 27th January 1891 to William H. and Sarah Ann (née Mullins), the couple having eight children. He was educated at Taunton’s School. Prior to the outbreak of war, the family moved to Salisbury, where Daniel was an active member of the Cheltenham YMCA, undertaking the role of Acting Secretary for a period of time.
Daniel entered the RNVR on 26th February 1915 with the service number ZP/1061. His civil employment was recorded as “Private Secretary.” On 17th April, he joined Benbow Battalion and was drafted to the Crystal Palace depot on the 30th. He was discharged from Crystal Palace on 8th May, as he had been appointed to an RNVR commission.
On 21st December, Sub-Lieutenant Beak was posted to Anson Battalion, and seven days later he was attached to the Bomb School for instruction. On 22nd October, he was posted from Anson to Drake, joining his unit on 1st January 1916.
On 15th May, Drake embarked on board H.M.T. Minnewaska at Mudros and disembarked at Marseille five days later. On 14th November, Daniel was appointed Adjutant of Drake Battalion under the command of Lt.-Commander Sterndale Bennett. Following leave to England at the end of the year, he returned and was awarded the Military Cross on 2nd January 1917 for his part in the operations north of the Ancre:
|
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his men in the attack with great courage and initiative and materially assisted in the capture of the enemy line. He set a fine example throughout.
|
|
|
In March, Daniel was appointed acting Commander as he was placed in temporary command of the Battalion, and in April, acting Lieutenant-Commander when posted as a major to Divisional HQ. In May, he relinquished the appointment of Adjutant upon his return to regimental duties. Following one month’s leave, during which he was invested with his recent award, he returned, and a Bar was added to his MC on June 12th:
|
For conspicuous gallantry during operations, when he continually dashed forward, under heavy fire, to reorganize the men, and led them on with great bravery through the enemy barrage and machine-gun fire.
|
In October, Daniel was posted to a Senior Officers’ course at Aldershot. Rejoining the Division on December 31st, he was cross-posted to Howe following the losses suffered at Welsh Ridge and was appointed temporary Commander. He was later posted to Drake after Howe was disbanded. On 5th May 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order:
| For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
During a night attack by the enemy the right flank of his division was left in a dangerous position. He arranged for a flank to be formed in that direction, and subsequently covered the retirement of two brigades with a composite rear-guard which he organised and commanded. His initiative and presence of mind greatly assisted in extricating these brigades from a very difficult situation. Throughout, the skilful handling of his battalion was particularly noticeable.
|
|
 |
|
On 11th June, he was mentioned in despatches and, after returning from a bout of influenza in July, was awarded the VC for his actions between August 21st and 25th, and on September 4th at Longeast Wood. He was again mentioned in despatches on November 8th.
Following the Armistice, Daniel was presented with his Victoria Cross on December 6th at Valenciennes, his being the first naval VC with a crimson ribbon.
|
|
Daniel continued to serve with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division when it was redesignated as a cadre, being demobilised on 12th June 1919. He was awarded the Freedom of Southampton at a ceremony held later in the year at the Empire Theatre. Shops and schools were closed for the afternoon, with people lining the streets to see him. In 1921, he was granted a regular army commission with the Royal Scots Fusiliers as a captain and was in Ireland with his regiment during the Irish War of Independence. He married Matilda Catherine Frances Ritchie Wallace on 5th September 1923. Frances was the daughter of Lt-Colonel Wallace DSO of Cloncaird Castle. The couple had two sons, Marcus (b. 1927) and Peter (b. 1929), before Frances died in 1930.
Daniel was promoted to major in 1932 on transferring to the King’s Regiment, and to lieutenant-colonel in 1938 when he transferred to the South Lancashire Regiment. He was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion during the Battle of France. In June 1940, he was made commander of the 12th Brigade, GOC Malta Command, and the 151st Infantry Brigade. In August 1940, Daniel was promoted to colonel and was mentioned in despatches the following December. He was promoted to temporary major-general in January 1942 but was dismissed from his command by General Montgomery following Operation Pugilist in March 1943. He retired from the army on 19th February 1945 with the honorary rank of major-general and resided at Sheepgrove Lodge in Berkshire.
Following a long illness, Daniel died on 3rd May 1967 in the Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon, Wiltshire. He was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, and wished for his grave to remain unmarked. He is named on the War Memorial Plaque on The Promenade in Cheltenham, and there is a commemorative stone bearing his name at Southampton Cenotaph.
|
Greeted by the Mayor of Southampton |
|
|