Berthold Walter Beinke was born on 4 October 1895 at Walloway, South Australia, to parents Johanna Paulen Bertha (née Habel) and Adolph Beinke. Berthold was one of seventeen siblings, though three died in infancy.

Beinke was working as a farmhand on the family property when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 26 October 1916 with the 50th Battalion. He embarked from Adelaide on HMAT Seang Bee on 10 February 1917. After arriving in England, he proceeded to France where he transferred to the 43rd Battalion on 11 November 1918.
He served in the trenches on the Western Front in 1917, and endured intense cold, wet, and mud. Beinke suffered many illnesses due to unsanitary conditions. With his battalion, Beinke took part in the Battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918. On 29 September 1918, Private Beinke was awarded the Military Medal by General Birdwood for bravery in the field as a Company Stretcher Bearer during the operations at South of Bony, France. He saved many lives, devoting himself to rescuing, dressing, and evacuating the wounded while under fire.

On 26 March 1919, Beinke returned to Australia on HMAS Lancashire. Upon return, Berthold married Doris Elizabeth Geal, and together they raised six children. Berthold Walter Beinke died on 24 March 1951 at Orroroo, South Australia.