As both a flat-runner and a hurdler he was most successful during his early years which included a third-place in the 1915 Stawell Gift and a win in the Sprint Handicap (75 yards) at the same meeting.

[1][8] Beckwith played his early football at Clifton Hill and West Melbourne CYMS.

He made his only league appearance in the second round of the 1918 VFL season, when he played in Fitzroy's 40-point loss to eventual premiers South Melbourne at Brunswick Street Oval.

It was common for professional athletes to use boundary umpiring as a way of maintaining fitness and Beckwith applied to the VFL in 1928.

He made his debut in the first round officiating at the Richmond versus North Melbourne match earning Heritage Number 152.