Frank Beck

Who was Frank Beck?

Captain Frank Reginald Beck, MVO was a land agent, British soldier and a central figure in one of World War I's myths.

Born in Oxwick, Norfolk, he was the son of Edmund Beck, Land Agent to the British Royal Family at Sandringham. Educated at Norfolk County School, North Elmham, he inherited his father’s position on the King’s estate, serving as Land Agent at Sandringham to Edward VII when Prince of Wales, 1891–1901, and when King, 1901–10; and to King George V from 1910 until the war. He was appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1901 and created a Knight of the Order of St Olav by the King of Norway, 13 November 1906.

Beck was instrumental in the formation of the Sandringham Company of Volunteers, which included grooms, gardeners, farm labourers and household staff from the King's estates. Beck raised the company as a Volunteer Force unit in 1906.

Despite his age and the fact King George V told him not to go, he volunteered for foreign service after the outbreak of war and served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli, leading his company during the attack on Anafarta on 12 August 1915. He fought alongside his two nephews, Arthur Evelyn and Albert Edward Alexander Beck, who were both awarded the Military Cross. On that day, a large part of the Norfolks were missing in action. For several years, nothing was known of their fate.