Private REGINALD BECKINGHAM

Reginald Beckingham, the youngest son of Benjamin and Sarah Beckingham of King Street, Odiham, was born in 1898. In 1891, his father worked as a brewer’s labourer and the family lived in The Bury near The Bell, possibly in the old brewery workers’ cottages. By 1901 the family had moved to King Street and Benjamin’s occupationwas then recorded as ‘blacksmith journeyman’. Benjamin died in 1910. After leaving school, Reginald secured a cycle making apprenticeship. With the advent of war in 1914 he responded to the call for volunteers to join the army and in October 1914 enlisted with the Territorials. He was assigned to the 1st/4th Bn., Hampshire Regiment. After training he sailed to India to join the Battalion in December 1914. On the journey to India a new ‘local’ band was formed, which he joined as a side drummer, thus earning him the designation Bandsman Beckingham.

Reginald did not go to Mesopotamia in March 1915. He appears to have remained in India until he died. Reginald died of peritonitis in Quetta on 25 September 1916. He was buried in Quetta Government Cemetery, and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). Reginald was awarded the British War Medal 1914-20.