John Archibald Beckett

Sergeant · 521319 · United Kingdom

Died

12 April 1947, aged 41

Fate

Killed in action

Biography

Burial / commemoration

Cemetery

Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel And Palestine (including Gaza)

Timeline

• 12 April 1947 Died
  aged 41
• 12 December 1947 Gazetted: GC
  George Cross

Awards

• George Cross (GC) — gazetted 12 December 1947

  521319 Sergeant. John Archibald BECKETT, Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force Station, Ein Shemer, Air Headquarters, Levant. On the night of 2 8th March, 1947, during re- fuelling operations on a (Lancaster aircraft of No. ' 38 Squadron, a violent fire broke out suddenly in the pumping compartment of the refuelling vehicle • of which Sergeant Beckett was the driver. The flames enveloped Sergeant Beckett and set alight the front of the Lancaster's fuselage. Another airman beat out the names on Sergeant Beckett but not before the latter had sustained very severe burns on.the hands and face. At this moment, there was.grave danger that the main tank of the refuelling vehicle, containing over two th

Source: CWGC casualty record: BECKETT, JOHN ARCHIBALD → · Commonwealth War Graves Commission