HARRY CHURCHILL BEET VC

BORN: 1^st April 1875, in Bingham, Nottinghamshire. Harry was born at Brackendale Farm, Bingham, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of J.A. Beet, a sculptor.

1891 Census: Harry Churchill Beet aged approximately 17 years; Baker’s Apprentice in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Born in Bingham, Nottinghamshire.

SERVED: 1^st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment, joining 18th February, 1892. (Later named The Sherwood Foresters.)

He sailed for India in January 1894, where he served throughout the fighting on the Punjab Frontier, 1897 and 1898 (Medal and two clasps).  By the time the Boer War broke out in October 1899, Beet had been promoted to Corporal. He served in the South African War of 1899-1902, and won the Victoria Cross whilst under the immediate command of Captain P. Leverson-Gower.  He was once wounded in this campaign on 9 December, 1901.  He was promoted Sergeant by Lord Kitchener for service in the field

Boer War: Both regular Battalions of his Regiment were stationed at Malta. The 1st Battalion, to which he belonged, was embarked for South Africa in November, whilst the 2nd Battalion stayed behind to provide replacements and recruit volunteers.

The Derbyshire Regiment saw action many times during the war, engaging the enemy on 28 occasions in battles and skirmishes. On one occasion, Corporal Beet and his comrades covered 400 miles in forty-five days

Beet was 27 years old, and a Corporal in the 1st Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment, British Army during the Second Boer War, when the following deed took place on 22 April 1900 at Wakkerstroom, South Africa, for which he was awarded the VC:

DATE OF GAZETTE: 12TH February 1901

V.C. CITATION: “Harry Churchill Beet, Corporal, 1st Battalion Mounted Infantry, At Wakkerstroom, on the 22nd April, 1900, No. 2 Mounted Infantry Company, 1st Battalion Derbyshire Regiment, with two squadrons, Imperial Yeomanry, had to retire from near a farm, under a ridge held by Boers. Corporal Burnett, Imperial Yeomanry, was left on the ground wounded, and Corporal Beet, on seeing him, remained behind and placed him under cover, bound up his wounds, and by firing prevented the Boers from coming down to the farm till dark, when Doctor Wilson, Imperial Yeomanry, came to the wounded man's assistance. The retirement was carried out under a very heavy fire, and Corporal Beet was exposed to fire during the whole afternoon.”

Corporal Harry Beet was 27 years old. The Victoria Cross was presented to him at the capital of Natal on 14 August 1901, by HRH the Duke of York. 

He later emigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada, and later achieved the rank of Captain.

The 'Times' of 22 February 1916, says: 'The appointment of H C Beet, VC, 32nd Reserve Canadian Infantry Battalion, to be temporary Lieutenant was gazetted last night'. He fought with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I. In 1936, he settled in Vancouver, where he remained until his death.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Sherwood Foresters Museum, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham, England.

DIED: 10th January 1946

BURIED: Vancouver Veterans Cemetery, Canada.

 
   Medal entitlement of
     Captain Harry Churchill BEET
     1st Bn, Derbyshire Regiment

Victoria Cross

India Medal 1895-1902 and 2 clasps

   Punjab Frontier 1897-98 - Tirah 1897-98

Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 3 clasps

Cape Colony - Orange Free State- Transvaal

King's South Africa Medal 1901-02 and 2 clasps

                                               South Africa 1901 - South Africa 1902

British War Medal 1914 - 1920

Victory Medal 1914 - 1920

King George VI Coronation Medal 1937