A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division

Four: Lieutenant Colonel R. D. Beith, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who commanded the Deal Battalion, Royal Marine Brigade, 12 September 1914 - 15 April 1915, and the Royal Naval Division Base in Gallipoli

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (Capt. R. D. Beith. R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Monarch.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut. Col. R. D. Beith, R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. R. D. Beith. R.M.L.I.) mounted for wear by Hayward & Hall, light contact marks overall, therefore nearly very fine or better (4) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

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Robert Douglas Beith was born in Plymouth in November 1864, and was the son of Robert Beith, Deputy Inspector General of the Royal Naval Medical Service. Beith was commissioned Lieutenant, Chatham Division, Royal Marine Light Infantry in September 1884. He saw various service afloat and on shore, and advanced to Captain in March 1895.

Beith was posted to the Royal Marine Depot, and appointed Acting Superintendent, Gymnasia North East District in July 1900. He was posted for service with H.M.S. Monarch in November 1900, and landed for service in South Africa. Beith was attached as a Staff Officer to the Colonial Defence Force, serving in the North East Cape Colony, April 1901 - August 1902. He was promoted to Major in August 1902, and returned to the Portsmouth Division. Beith served with H.M.S. Albion, on the China Station, July 1903 - November 1905. He was made Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in August 1909, and advanced to Lieutenant Colonel the following September.

Beith was posted to the R.M. Depot at Deal in October 1911, and transferred to Portsmouth two years later. He was appointed to the command of the Deal Battalion, Royal Marine Brigade in September 1914, and took part in operations at Dunkirk, Cassel and Antwerp. Beith served with the Royal Naval Division in Gallipoli, and was graded as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General whilst in command of the RND Base there, April 1915 - March 1916. He was seconded for service with the War Officer in September 1917, and held a special appointment at the Press Bureau. Beith was held a special appointment as Officer Commanding British Troops, Turin, Italy from July 1918, and was demobilised in February 1919. Colonel Beith died at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in 1937, and is buried in Clayhill Naval Cemetery, Gosport.

M.I.D. unconfirmed.

Sold with copied research.