Company Sergeant Major Walter George Beckwith was the son of George F and Winifred M Beckwith, and the husband of Doris W Beckwith, of Thaxted, Essex.He volunteered for The Parachute Regiment and attended parachute training course number 47 at RAF Ringway between 18 January and 1 February 1943. He served with B Company 9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion and took part in the Normandy campaign.

Company Sergeant Major Beckwith died on 17 August 1944, aged 28 years old. He is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.