Major-General Clifford Thomason Beckett CB, CBE, MC (9 November 1891 – 8 July 1972) was an officer of the British Army who had a distinguished military career which spanned almost thirty-five years, including service in the two world wars.

Clifford Beckett spent a significant part of his childhood living in India, where his father was in charge of constructing the first railway bridges over the Orissa rivers on the East Coast Extension of the Bengal – Nagpur Railway, completing the connection between the cities of Calcutta and Madras.

[4][1][5] During World War I Beckett, promoted in July 1914 to lieutenant,[6] served in various campaigns including Gallipoli, France, Salonika and finally was wounded at Palestine where he received the Military Cross (MC) for his actions.

Beckett was later employed on strategic reconnaissances in Western Europe and also served in Lahore where he was involved in the suppression of riots and the organization of the Military Jubilee Tattoo.

By the start of World War II, Beckett had reached the rank of Commanding Officer of the 1st Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery.

[12] He served as Director of the French Hospital of La Providence and was President of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) of Somerset, (1949–1958).