Date of Birth:
circa 1915
Ethnicity/Nationality:
Canadian
Profession:
Roofer
Hometown(s):
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Toronto, Ontario
Political affiliation:
Communist Party of Canada, 1935
Prior military experience:
Militia
Approximate date arrived in Spain:
1937-01-20 left Canada; 1937-01-29 left Paris
Unit:
Abraham Lincoln Battalion
Final status:
Fate unknown: POW 16 February 1937; Executed; Or captured March 1938; Or captured and KIA in 1937; The Volunteer for Liberty of 7 March 1938 says he was captured when the truck he was riding drove into fascist lines; Stephens claims he was captured and shot by the fascists.
Other:
According to D.P. Stephens, Beckett was one of the first five Canadian sent to Spain to join the International Brigades (17).
Sources:
List of Casualties in Spain MG30 E173 Vol.1 File 13; NAC, M-P Collection, Dent, V. 2, F. 7, Subject Files, Beckett, Thomas Edison: Correspondence, 1937-39; RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 542 (name only); Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 51, ll. 11 Missing Probably Dead Complete to Sept. 10, 1937; Hoar; Momryk; Petrou; Stephens
