Muchty Remembers

Born: about 1888, Newburgh, Fife.

Son of George and Christina Beckett, Bleachfield Cottage.Auchtermuchty.

Army Number: 2987

Rank: Lance Corporal

Regiment: 1st/7th (Fife) Battalion (Territorials) Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch).

Died: Died of wounds, 6 April 1916. Aged 28.

Buried: Le Treport Military Cemetery, Seine-Maritime, France. Plot 2, Row K, Grave 6A.

War Memorial. Parish Church Plaque. Parish Church Roll. Photograph.

 

Martin Beckett was the son of George Beckett, born 1858, Newburgh, Linen bleacher, living in 1901 at Bleachfield Cottage, Auchtermuchty, with his wife Christina, 44, and children, Catherine, 17, Christina, 15, Martin, 13, and Jamie, 11, all born in Newburgh, and George, 8, and Mary, 2, born in Auchtermuchty.

 

In 1881 George Beckett, 23, was living in East Port Road, Newburgh, with his wife Christina, married in 1880. He was a carter. About 1890 George Beckett moved to Auchtermuchty. In 1891 he was at the Pleasance, Auchtermuchty, where he was a linen bleacher. He lived with his wife Christina, and children Catherine, 7, Christina, 5, Martin, 3, and Jeannie, 1, given as a daughter.

In 1901 George Beckett was living at Bleachfield Cottage, Auchtermuchty, with his wife Christina, 44, and children, Catherine, 17, Christina, 15, Martin, 13, and Jamie, 11, given as a son, all born in Newburgh, and George, 8, and Mary, 2, born in Auchtermuchty.

In 1911 George Beckett was living in 2 roomed Bleachfield Cottage, two buildings down from Bleachfield House. He was the bleachfield manager. He had been married for 31 years to Christine Beckett, who had had 7 children, one of whom had died. Five children were still living in the house: Catherine, 27, factory worker; Christina, 25, bleachfield worker, Martin 23, bleachfield worker, George, 18, plumber, and Mary, 12, at school. Martin and Mary had been born in Auchtermuchty. Jamie, who would have been 21, was away from home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st/7th (Fife) Battalion The Black Watch was mobilised for war on 2 May 1915 and landed at Boulogne. It formed part of 153 Brigade in 51st Division. In 1915 it fought at the Battle of Festubert and the second Battle of Givenchy.

Martin Beckett was one of eight men from Auchtermuchty who joined The Black Watch on 29 May 1915. He was posted to 1st/7th Battalion The Black Watch, Fife's own Battalion of the Regiment. He joined the Battalion in France, as part of 153 Brigade of the 51st Highland Division.

Martin Beckett died of wounds in April 1916.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Le Treport Cemetery, Seine-Maritime, France.                             Memorial plaque, Auchtermuchty Church