Arthur Henry Beech
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Arthur Henry was the son of William and Emily Beech (née Holgate). His father William was born in Gringley on the Hill in about 1858, the son of Thomas Beech and his first wife Harriett (née Cooper, m. 24 March 1856). In 1881 William (23) was living in Gringley with his father, stepmother Harriet (née Holgate m. 1875), and their five children. His mother Emily White Holgate was born in Clayworth, Nottinghamshire, in about 1863. In 1871 she was living with her grandmother, Sarah Holgate, at Church Field Farm, Clayworth, and in 1881 was a general domestic servant on a farm at Sturton, Retford. William and Emily were married in 1881 (reg. Gainsborough) and by 1911 had had ten children, two of whom had died in infancy. Their surviving eight children, who were born in Gringley on the Hill and baptised at the parish church of SS Peter & Paul, were: Edith Emily b. 1883 bap. 23 September 1883; John Wiliam b. 1884 bap. 16 May 1886; Arthur Henry b. 1886 bap. 16 May1886; Florence Betsy b. 1887 bap. 1 September 1888; Charles Raymond b. 1888 bap. 10 November 1888; Dora Mabel b. 1890 (reg. J/F/M) bap. 17 May 1891; Edgar b. 1892 bap. 10 April 1892 and Annie b. 1895 (reg. J/F/M) bap. 24 February 1895. An unamed daughter (under 1 year) was recorded on the 1891 Census and another daughter Lizzy (bap. 20 March 1894) died in 1894. There is also a record of the baptism in May 1891 of a Herbert Beech (parents William and Emily Beech) who is not recorded in the family on any of the census. In 1891 William (33), a farmer, and Emily (29) were living on Horsewells Road, Gringley, with their seven children: Edith, John, Arthur, Florence, Charles, Dora and an unamed daughter (under 1 year) who has not been traced. By 1901 the family had moved to Little Lane, Gringley; seven children were in the home on the night of the census: Edith, John who was a horseman on a farm and probably assisting his father, Arthur, Charles, Dora, Edgar and Annie. Florence may have been working as a domestic servant at a household in Gringley. William and Emily were still living in the village in 1911. Six of their children were in the home on the night of the census: John, Arthur, Charles and Edgar, who were all working on a farm, presumably assisting their father, and Annie. Also in the household was the eldest daughter Edith Collishaw, her husband George and their son, and three grandchildren (surname Beech), Norah (8), Florence (6) and Herbert (3). Florence had probably married in 1909 (Turner) and Dora was employed as a cook (domestic) in Oxted, Surrey. Arthur's mother Emily probably died in 1925 and his father William in 1945. Edgar served in the war in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Private 25906); he was discharged from the army on 28 May 1919.
1/6th (TF) Bn South Staffordshire Regiment, 5459, 241883 Arthur enlisted at Retford on 8 March 1916 and was drafted to France on 19 June 1916. Arthur was killed in action a year later on 24 June 1917 'during a successful attack on the enemy's trenches'. He is buried in Loos British Cemetery, France (grave ref, XVIII F 2). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
It is believed that Beech Close Little Lane Gringley was named after this family. Source, ‘Gringley a Tribute to the 24 ‘ published July 2014 by the Gringley History Club. www.gohistory.org.uk (Courtesy of Alan Hickman) Arthur's brother Edgar served in the war in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Private 25906); he was discharged from the army on 28 May 1919. Corpl Arthur Beech Retford Times 20 July 1917 'We regret to record the death of Corporal Arthur Beech, son of Mr and Mrs W Beech, Gringley on the Hill, who was killed in action on June 24th. The deceased was a fine built young man of a sunny disposition and temperament and good hearted to a degree. His death will be much deplored by a wide circle of relatives and friends. Corpl Beech joined the South Staffs Regiment on March 8th 1916 and after a short period of training was drafted to France on June 19th of the same year. On the 28th of the same month he entered the trenches and has been hard at it ever since. The following letter from the Captain of his regiment shows that he proved himself to be an efficient soldier of the King; “Dear Mrs Beech, I very much regret to have to tell you that your son, Corporal A Beech, was killed in action on June 24th during a successful attack on the enemy’s trenches. Your son was one of my very most promising NCO’s and as you know, had only recently been promoted corporal. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your sad loss. Yours faithfully, R Silvers, Captain.” It may be mentioned that Corpl Beech has a brother at present with the forces in Salonika. Mr and Mrs W Beech find themselves unable to answer the numerous messages and letters they have received and take this opportunity of thanking all for their kind expressions of sympathy.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father was his legatee.
