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Francis Rex “Rex” Beech

Corporal · NZ #1093 · T Patrol · MID

Francis Rex “Rex” Beech
RankCorporal
Service numberNZ #1093
PatrolT Patrol
Regiment2nd NZ Divisional Cavalry Regiment
Known as“Rex”
Born1908-07-24
Died1941-01-31
HonoursMID
Campaign medalsWar Medal 1939-45, NZ War Service Medal
POW / KIAKIA — Gebel Sherif, 31 Jan 1941
Recordhttps://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C20719

What this roll records

CWGC record (2026): Corporal Francis Rex Beech, service no. 1093, New Zealand Armoured Corps, Div. Cavalry Regt., with the Long Range Desert Group recorded as his secondary unit; Mentioned in Despatches. Died aged 32. BURIED AT KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY, ACROMA, Libya — grave 6. J. 13. Son of Francis Joseph and Ethel Christina Beech, of Picton, Marlborough, New Zealand. The Commission gives his date of death as 1 February 1941, the day after the Gebel Sherif action of 31 January recorded here. Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2096054/francis-rex-beech/

ROLL OF HONOUR: died on active service with the LRDG (2 NZEF) per W.B. Kennedy Shaw, "Long Range Desert Group" appendices. Appendix 2.

On original LRP Roll (5 Dec 1940): T — W/T Operator & Tp Ldr T Patrol; killed Gebel Sherif 31 Jan 41. Source: LRP Roll (Original LRP Nominal Roll as at 5 Dec 1940, Capt L H Browne).

Born 24 July 1908. He was killed instantly on 31 January 1941 in the Gebel Sherif action, which is the date held here as correct. (CWGC and the AWMM Cenotaph record his date of death as 1 February 1941 - a recording discrepancy.)

CWGC/AWMM: killed in action near Kufra (Gebel Sherif), aged 33; buried at Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya (grave 6.J.13). Honours: Mentioned in Despatches, War Medal 1939-45, New Zealand War Service Medal. He is remembered in a 1941 broadcast in which Captain Bruce Ballantyne pays tribute to him (Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, U-series, item 11734), and is recognised on the Sounds Soldiers Memorial (crest of Torea Road). CWGC record 2096054.

The Kiwi Scorpions (Brendan O'Carroll): Cpl F. R. Beech — radio engineer; born Picton, 24 Jul 1908; killed in action, 31 Jan 1941.

Killed at Gebel Sherif on 31 January 1941 when T patrol was ambushed by the Auto-Saharan Company. Source: ‘Long Range Desert Group in Libya, 1940–41’, Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (NZ official war history).

Radio engineer; born Picton, 24 Jul 1908. m.i.d. Killed in action, 31 Jan 1941. Source: Episodes & Studies Vol. 1 (biographical notes).

Cpl F. R. Beech, m.i.d.; radio engineer; born Picton, 24 Jul 1908; killed in action, 31 Jan 1941. Source: Divisional Cavalry (NZ official war history).

Engineering (radio) in civilian life. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph.

Embarkation detail from his Cenotaph record: he embarked as Corporal, 2nd Div Cavalry Regt. Cenotaph gives death as 1 Feb 1941 at Kufra, aged 33. THE ROLL IS RIGHT AND THE CENOTAPH IS A DAY LATE: he was killed at GEBEL SHERIF on 31 JANUARY 1941, aged 32. This agrees with the rank held on this card. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record C20719.

Also commemorated at the Marlborough War Memorial, on the Second World War panel. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record C20719.

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Where this comes from

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