IT WAS a modest end-of-terrace house but number 42, Kent Road, St. Denys, Southampton, had its moment of glory on July 27, 1891. For on that day it was the birthplace of a man who was to become a "navy-soldier" and one of the nation’s most decorated First World War heroes.

Daniel Marcus William Beak was that child and 27 years later as Lieutenant-Commander Beak, he won the Victoria Cross, the country’s highest award for bravery while serving in France.

Dazed and bleeding from a four-day-old shell wound, the fragment was still in his skull, he organised the Naval Brigade under heavy fire. His commander was dead, but he led the men to their objective.

Before that bitterly-fought war was was over, he had also won the Military Cross and Distinguished Service Order, plus, after he retired in 1945, he was a Major-General.

Years later in 1966 the Daily Echo went to interview the reluctant hero at his home perched high above the nestling village of Lambourn in Berkshire.

“Casually dressed in a check sports jacket and grey flannel trousers, he settled into a comfortable armchair and began to chain-smoke tipped cigarettes,” reported the Daily Echo.

“The sun streamed through the elegant bay window and sank lower down over the rolling Berkshire downs as he looked back over 74 years of active life.”

As a boy, Major-General Beak went to school at St. Denys and at the age of 13 transferred to Taunton’s School. He was captain of Chipperfield House at Taunton’s, and had a great love of all sports.

In a report of a Winchester football match in which he played, he was described as a “fearless tackler”. On one occasion he rushed the ball, along with two helpless players, through the goal.

Leaving school he became a pupil teacher at St. Mary’s School in Southampton. “I wasn’t too good at that,” he said, “so I went as a private secretary to a parson in Bristol.”.

At the outbreak of war in 1914 he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He soon obtained his commission as a sub-lieutenant and promotion rapidly followed. for this man of “sterling character and soldierly aptitude”. In February 1917 he became adjutant of his battalion in the Drake Naval Brigade and won the Military Cross at Gallipoli he secured a bat to the award.

Before the war was out he was awarded the DSO and it was in November of the following year that he became Southampton’s first VC.

Beak’s citation read: “For most conspicuous bravery, courageous leadership and devotion to duty during a prolonged period of operations. He led his men in attack and despite heavy machine-gun fire, four enemy positions were captured. His skilful and fearless leadership resulted in the complete success of his operation and enabled other battalions to reach their objectives.

“Four days later, though dazed by a shell fragment in the absence of the brigade commander, he reorganised the whole brigade under extremely heavy gunfire and led his men with splendid courage to their objective. An attack having been held up, he rushed forward, accompanied by only one runner, and succeeded in breaking up a nest of machine-guns, personally bringing back nine or ten prisoners. His fearless example instilled courage and confidence in his men.

“On a subsequent occasion he displayed great courage and powers of leadership in attack, and his initiative, coupled with the confidence with which he inspired all ranks, not only enabled hos own and neighbouring unit to advance, but contributed very materially to the success of the Naval Division in these operations.”

Daniel Beak was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Valenciennes in France on December 6, 1918, just four months before the he Commander returned to his home town and a hero’s welcome. Thousands of people lined the streets, especially around the South-Western Hotel where more than 100 guests attended a gala lunch on the day he received the Freedom of the Borough of Southampton.

As the meal came to an end those inside the hotel could hear an insistent chant of “we want Beak” from the crowd massed outside. Every kind of organisation was represented, a half-holiday was given to the local schools and most of the shops closed for the afternoon. 12,000 children from the elementary schools with flags and handkerchiefs packed the pavements.

The presentation ceremony was staged at the Palace Theatre in Above Bar which, according to the history books, was “packed to suffocation”. After singing Rule Britannia, the Freedom Scroll was handed over. and the audience began cheering and burst into For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.

Daniel Beak died on May 3, 1967 in a Swindon hospital after a long illness and was buried in Woking in an unmarked grave, in accordance with his wishes.