'Messines Offensive - 7th to 9th June 1917. At Messines on 7th June 1917 this N.C.O. did most valuable work. His Officer was wounded when attacking a number of the enemy who were fighting from shell holes. With the 12 men left in his platoon Sergeant Beck then took charge and pushed the attack with such boldness that over 50 were killed with rifle and grenade and the rest driven off. He did good work during the remainder of this operation and had previously proved himself a bold and capable patrol leader.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 16 August 1917

'At Yves on 24th June 1917 this N.C.O. was the platoon sergeant of a platoon working as a carrying party. That evening the wholearea and the saps were under a very heavy bombardment, with both gas and ordinary shell. Two men were buried by a shell, and Sgt Beck, with another man immediately went to the rescue without thought of his own safety. Finding he could not get them out quickly enough working with a respirator on, he took off the respirator, knowing the risk, with the result that he was gassed. Though feeling the effects of the gas, and the platoon commander also becoming a casualty from gas, he saw that the task of the platoon was finished before he was evacuated. His previous record is excellent and he was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at Messines.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 21 August 1917