Robert McBeath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Gordon McBeath
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| Born | 22 December 1898 Kinlochbervie, Scotland |
| Died | 9 October 1922 (aged 23) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1915 - 1918 |
| Rank | Lance corporal |
| Unit | The Seaforth Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | First World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
| Other work | Canadian police officer |
Robert Gordon McBeath was a very brave Scottish soldier. He received the Victoria Cross, also known as the VC. This is the highest and most important medal. It is given for incredible bravery to members of the British military. After World War I, McBeath got married. He then moved to Canada. He became a police officer in Vancouver, British Columbia. Sadly, he died while doing his job as a police officer.
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Robert McBeath's Bravery in World War I
Robert McBeath was 19 years old during the First World War. He was a lance-corporal in the British Army. His unit was the 1/5th Battalion of The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's). He earned the Victoria Cross for an amazing act of courage.
A Heroic Act at Cambrai
On November 20, 1917, a big battle was happening in France. It was called the Battle of Cambrai. Enemy machine-guns were firing heavily. They stopped his unit from moving forward. Many soldiers were getting hurt.
Lance-Corporal McBeath bravely volunteered to deal with these machine-guns. He went forward alone. He carried a Lewis gun and a revolver. He found several machine-guns firing. With help from a tank, he attacked them. He forced the enemy gunners to hide in a deep dug-out.
McBeath rushed into the dug-out without fear. He shot the first enemy soldier who tried to stop him. Then, he made the rest of the enemy soldiers come out. He captured three officers and 30 men! There were five machine-guns around the dug-out. By stopping them, he cleared the way. This allowed both his unit and another unit to advance. His bravery during three days of fighting was truly outstanding.
Life in Canada
After the war, McBeath and his wife moved to Canada. He joined the British Columbia Provincial Police. Later, on August 12, 1921, he joined the Vancouver Police Department.
A Tragic Day on Duty
On October 9, 1922, McBeath was on patrol. He was walking with his partner, Detective R. Quirk. They were on Granville and Davie Streets in Vancouver. McBeath stopped a man named Fred Deal. He arrested him for driving while impaired.
As they were taking the man to a call-box, something terrible happened. The man pulled out a handgun. He shot both officers. McBeath's partner survived the shooting. However, Robert McBeath died almost right away. He was only 23 years old.
Fred Deal was arrested later that same day. He was sentenced to death for the crime. But his sentence was later changed to life in prison. Deal served 21 years in prison. After that, he was released and sent back to his home in Jacksonville, Florida. He died a few years later.
Remembering a Hero
Robert McBeath was given a very large funeral in Vancouver. People at the time called it "the largest official funeral in Vancouver history."
Honoring His Memory
A police boat in Vancouver is named the R.C. McBeath VC. This is to honor Robert McBeath. There is also a housing area in his hometown of Kinlochbervie called McBeath Court.
McBeath is buried in the Masonic Section of Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver. His gravestone shows his name as "MacBeath." However, most documents spell his name "McBeath."
The Vancouver Police Department holds a special ceremony every year. It happens at his graveside on November 11 at 9:00 AM. During this ceremony, they read the names of police members. These members served in the Canadian Armed Forces and died overseas.
You can see Robert McBeath's Victoria Cross medal. It is displayed at the Regimental Museum of Queen's Own Highlanders. This museum is located at Fort George, Highland, near Inverness in Scotland.
