The Camp ran from 28 April to 11 May and he was responsible for managing store issued from the Auckland Defence Stores, including;[8] "66 indicating flags, 80 Axes, 100 picks and handles, 800 water buckets, 800 wash basins, 82 picket ropes, 81 brooms, 5000 groundsheets, 13 roberts cookers, 13 horse troughs, 20 overall suits, 1320yards galvanised iron piping, a 2000 gal water tank, 1 large swimming bath, 11 flagstaffs, 500 nose bags, 566 pairs of boots, 455 mattress covers, 500 blankets".

As the Defence Storekeeper for Auckland he was soon granted the honorary rank of Captain and attached the New Zealand Staff Corps.

[9] On the declaration of World War I, Beck was mobilised deployed with the main body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, departing Wellington on 3 December 1914 on the troopship TSS Maunganui.

We were frightfully hampered by our kit – overcoat, revolver, glasses, map case, haversack, three days rations, firewood, Red Cross satchel, water bottle – like elephants.

"Beachy Bill" was in charge of the store – a miserable little place – and whenever he put his nose out of the door bullets tried to hit it.

[15] On 27 April 1916 he was struck off the strength of the NZEF and transferred to the reserve list of officers with the rank of captain.

[18] Beck's medals are now on display in the Gallipoli Room of the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum, Queensland, Australia.

The museum represents 114 soldiers, primarily with their medals, for gallantry or conspicuous service during the Gallipoli campaign.

[21] Beck was adopted as the patron of the New Zealand Advanced Ordnance Depot, Singapore Military members club from 1986 to 1989.