My grandfather Jacques Becquet was born in Brussels 5th August 1894. He joined the Belgian Army as a front line infantry man on 4th April 1911, joining the first Line Regiment. Promoted to Corporal 1st June 1911, to Platoon Sergeant 20th April 1913, to Company Sergeant 5th July 1914, to Sergeant Major 22nd August 1914 and to Colour Sergeant 19th February 1915. Finishing the great War as a Lieutenant in the 21st Line Regiment.
He had two citations for the Great War:
"For the Courage and devotion which he showed during his long period at the front" and
"An Officer of a calm and cool gallantry, a leader of the highest order, at the front from the beginning of hostilities and outstanding for his imperturbable sangfroid. On 30th September 1918 after a most difficult approach march across soaking, and in some cases flooded, ground and under sustained machine gun fire and artillery fire, he rallied his men and with a superb dash, with himself at their head. rushed an enemy trench; Thus showing the greatest contempt of danger."
He did once recall that he was once buried alive by a shell burst and was most impressed that his men actually came back to dig him out - he reckoned that not too many officers would have been so lucky!!
When Germany invaded Belgium on 10th May 1940 he was called up to defend his country. When Leopold surrendered in an act of capitulation on 28th May 1940, my grandfather refused to capitulate and carried on fighting as part of the Underground Belgian Army hoping to give the BEF more to time to evacuate (Dunkirk 26th May 1940 to 4th June 1940).
He managed to destroy two German tanks before being captured by the Germans on 19th June 1940. Branded a trouble maker he was immediately sent to Colditz Castle POW camp. As Colditz filled up with other nationalities the Belgians were moved to Oflag VII B at Eichstatt, and then to Oflag XD at Hamburg.
He retired as a Capitaine Commandant of Reserve (equivalent of a Major in the British Army)
