Jack Becker

Submitted by Shellharbour Ci... on Mon, 15/06/2015 - 15:09

First Name:

Jack

Last Name:

Becker

Date of Birth:

Tuesday, November 30, 1897

Mother's Name:

John Becker

Father's Name:

Clarinda/ Claranda Becker (nee Snell)

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, May 17, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Company:

5th Reinforcement

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, October 11, 1917

Place of Death:

Ypres, West Flanders, Belgium

Cause of Death:

Killed in Action

Details:

Jack Becker (Service No 2382) was educated at Albion Park Public School in N.S.W. Before he enlisted at Kiama, N.S.W., he had served as a Senior Cadet for 3 1/2 years. Jack's enlistment papers reveal that he was single and working as a farmer when he joined the AIF, at the age on 18 years and 11 months. Due to his youth, Jack's aunt Mary Morrison wrote a letter giving permission for Jack to enlist. In a letter, dated 10 April 1916, Mary states "I give my permission to my nephew John Becker to enlist, I being his nearest of Kin'

Jack embarked from Sydney, for the Western Front, with his unit on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 24 August 1916.

Whilst serving in France and Belgium Jack was hospitalised on a number of occasions, suffering amongst other things, scabies and trench foot.

On 11 October 1917 Jack was killed in action at Messines, Belgium.

There is no known grave for Jack; he is commemorated on Panel 27 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium and on the Albion Park Anglican Church 1914 - 1919 Honour Roll.

Sources:

Australian War Memorial

NAA: B2455, J BECKER

Ancestry

AIF