Major Gen Denis Beckett OBE Gustav Line WW2 Benham Hand Signed FDC

STB008 This is stunning Benham collectors official limited Breaking Of The Gustav Line first day cover hand signed by Major General Denis Beckett CB DS OBE where the signature rests perfectly accompanying the special hand commemorative franks.  This comes with full lifetime COA as the signing has been officially certified by the publishers with full hallmarking and authenticity of the series further detailed in absolute brand new mint condition. You wont source better.

Major General Denis Arthur Beckett was an officer in the 1/4 Battalion of the Essex Regiment, 3 PARA and 2 PARA. 

Beckett was born in Wanstead, Essex on May 19, 1917 and attended Chard School in Somerset. His father was Archibald Beckett. After a time as a reporter with the Stratford Express he joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1939, before commissioning into the 1/4 Battalion of the Essex Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. He joined them in Sierra Leone, also serving in the Middle East, North Africa, Italy and Greece during the Second World War. 

Whilst he was with the Essex Regiment, Becket was awarded a DSO at the battle of Monte Cassino for his actions on March 19, 1944. He is listed here as a War Substantive Captain (Temporary Major). His citation reads:

"....On 19 Mar 44, during the fighting at Cassino, this officer, in command of a company of his battalion, displayed gallantry and leadership of  a most conspicuous and outstanding nature. In the early hours of 19 Mar, his company which had already been involved in fighting for some three days, together with another company of the unit, both much reduced by casualties, had been relieved on the features pt. 193 (castle) - pt.165 preparatory to becoming reserve companies for the attack of their battalion on the monastery. The holding of Pt. 193 (castle) was vital to the major operation then in progress for the capture of Cassino. Shortly before zero hour for the attack on the monastery, the enemy began a sudden, strong and determined counter-attack on Pt. 193 (castle). Major Beckett at once appreciated the vital necessity of holding this feature, and, although himself relieved of the commitment, immediately took charge of his own and the other company, the commander of which had become a casualty, and led them into the task of beating off the enemy. Though himself twice wounded, he displayed great bravery and inspiring leadership in assisting the proper garrison to defeat this counter attack. 

Thereafter he became the outstanding personality of the defence. The enemy continued his counter-attacks and attempts at infiltration throughout the day, and during these Major Beckett was wounded a third time, and his personal movement severely restricted. He continued, however, leading and organising the defences so effectively that all these attacks were defeated with heavy loss to the enemy. Finally in the evening, when the enemy blew down a containing wall trapping some twenty of the garrison under it, Major Beckett led a party to their rescue under close and intensive fire, and only desisted in his attempts to dig out the survivors when the close-range sniping of the enemy and his MG fire made it impossible to continue the efforts by daylight...."