Passing of a WWII Sailor

Alan Beck passed away at Kawakawa Hospital today, 28^th of October 2010.

Able Seaman Beck, who was in the cruiser HMS Phoebe, was awarded the DSM for courage and devotion to duty during the evacuation of Greece. ‘As coxswain of a motor cutter, he handled his boat in difficult circumstances with conspicuous success at Nauplia [Navplion] in bringing off considerable numbers and at Kalamata in placing lights on the breakwaters and running special trips.’ Five weeks later Beck showed like qualities at Sfakia, to which HMS Phoebe made two runs during the evacuation of Crete.

Regards

Frank Lewis (Kerikeri RSA)