Lieutenant John Maxwell Beckett was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on March 2, 1888 to parents Ernest and Mary Beckett.

Prior to the war, Beckett served for three years with the with a local militia.  Beckett enlisted with the 101st Battalion in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on March 4, 1916, and proceeded to England aboard the SS Olympic, arriving in July of 1916.  He was sent to France in August of 1917 and served with the 3rd Division Signal Coy, Canadian Signal Corps, until he was killed in action on October 21, 1917.

Content notes:
The collection consist of a letter of condolence written by Beckett’s commanding officer, Major Allan Leavitt, to Beckett’s widow, Elizabeth, as well as a copy of the burial report.

External links:
Lieutenant John Maxwell Beckett’s service record (Serv/Reg n/a) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.
Burial information is available at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
A memorial page honouring him can be visited online at the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.
Major Allan Leavitt’s service record (Serv/Reg n/a) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.