Daniel Marcus William Beak

Major-General Daniel Marcus William Beak, VC, DSO, MC & Bar (27 July 1891 – 3 May 1967) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

World War I service

1915–1917

He initially joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a rating on 2 February 1915, but before seeing action was commissioned as a temporary sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Division in May 1915. He was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, but it is not clear from his service record if he saw action in that theatre. He arrived in France in May 1916, and after being appointed adjutant of the Drake Battalion on 2 March 1917, he ended up commanding his battalion as an acting commander between 19 March 1917 and 3 April 1917. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant-commander on relinquishing command, and attached to headquarters.

He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) in January 1917, and a Bar to his MC on 18 July 1917. The citations read:





He attended the Senior Officers' Course in Aldershot in late 1917 and on 31 December was promoted temporary commander, and appointed as commanding officer of the Howe Battalion.<ref name=officerrecord...
Read More