Horace Beecroft
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Horace was the son of Thomas Beecroft and his second wife, Lucy Jane (nee Palmer). Thomas married first Mary Robinson in 1868 (A/M/J Nottingham) by whom he had at least five children: Florence b. 1870 (A/M/J Basford), Herbert birth registered 1873 (J/F/M Basford), Ernest b. 1876 (O/N/D Basford), Arthur b. 1879 (A/M/J Basford) and Jennie b. abt 1881. In 1881 Thomas, a smith's labourer and Mary were living with their four children Florence (10), Herbert (8), Ernest (4) and Arthur (2) at 24 Gawthorne Street, Basford. Jennie was born sometime after the date of the census. In 1881 Lucy Jane Palmer (birth registered 1858 J/F/M Radford), who worked in her brother Herbert's baker's shop, was living with Herbert, his wife Emma, and their daughter Emma (10 months) at 1 Osberton Street, Basford. Also in the home was Alice Palmer (2), whose relationship to Herbert, the head of the household, was described on the census as 'daughter' but may have been Lucy Jane's child. Following Mary's death, Thomas married Lucy Jane in 1886 (O/N/D Basford) by whom he had eight children: Robert Elliott b. 1887 (O/N/D Basford), Thomas b. 1889 (A/M/J Basford), Lily b. 1891 (O/N/D Basford, Horace b. 1893 (A/M/J Basford) Hilda birth registereed 1896 (J/F/M Basford), Eliza Elliott b. 1897 (O/N/D Basford, Lucy May b. 1900 (A/M/J Nottingham) and Emma Dorothy b. 1902 (O/N/D Basford). In 1891 Thomas, a shaper in a machine factory, and Lucy (34) were living at 120 Northgate, Basford, with four of Thomas's children by his first marriage - Herbert (18) and Ernest (14) who were both in work, Arthur (11) and Jennie (9) - and their two sons, Robert (3) and Thomas (2). Also in the household was Alice Palmer (12), described as Thomas' daughter-in-law, who was both a scholar and a lace clipper. By 1901 the family had moved to 128 Northgate, Basford. Thomas, now a lace machine driller, and Lucy had only Thomas' daughter Jennie (23) a cap winder (hosiery) at home, together with their own seven children: Robert (13) who was in work, Thomas (12), Lily (9), Horace (8), Hilda (5), Eliza (3) and Lucy (11 months). Thomas and Lucy were still at the same address in 1911. Thomas was now a shopkeeper (greengrocer) on his own account. Still living at home were Robert (23) and Horace (18), who were both hosiery trimmers at a bleach works, Lily (19) a carriage grinder (lace machinery), Lucy May (10) and Emma Dorothy (8). Also in the household was their grandson, Robert Palmer (8), who may have been Alice's child. Thomas Beecroft senior died in 1914 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 71. Lucy was still living at 128 Northgate, Basford, in 1919; she died in 1926 (Jun Nottingham) aged 68. Horace married Elsie M Stevens in 1917 (J/F/M Nottingham), less than a year before his death. Both Horace's brothers, Robert and Thomas, served in the war. Herbert probably died in 1938 (Sept Nottingham) and Robert probably died in July 1965.
Horace Beecroft, served with the 51st Battery, 39th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He died of wounds on 9th December 1917 (CWGC 19 December). He was buried in Nottingham (New Basford) Cemetery on 13 December (grave ref. C.1.4).
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission records the date of death as 19th December 1917. Every other source, 'UKSDGW,' the register of the disposal of his personal effects and the family 'in memoriam' notices quote 9 December. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow, Elsie, was his sole legatee. Notice published 13th December 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BEECROFT. – Died of wounds, December 9th, Bomb. H. Beecroft. Duty nobly done. Internment Basford Cemetery Thursday, 13th, 3 o'clock. – Sorrowing wife, mother, sisters, brothers Tom, Robert (in France).” Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 15 December 1917; ‘Beecroft. Mrs Beecroft and family desire to gratefully thank all friends for tokens of sympathy and floral tributes in their great loss, also the employees of Weldon and Wilkinson.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Acknowledgements’, 15 December 1917; Mrs E Beecroft wishes to gratefully thank all friends for tokens of sympathy and floral tributes in her sad bereavement also employees of Weldon and Wilkinson.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In memoriam' notices published 9th December 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “BEECROFT. – In loving memory of Bdr. Horace Beecroft, died of wounds December 9th, 1917. A day of remembrance sad to recall. – From sorrowing wife Elsie. “BEECROFT. – In loving memory of Bdr. H. Beecroft, R.F.A., died of wounds December 9th, 1917. Dearly loved by all. – From sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers (with colours).” 'In memoriam' notices published 9th December 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “BEECROFT. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Bdr. Horace Beecroft, died of wounds December 9th, 1917. I mourn for you, dear husband, but not with outward show, for the heart that mourns sincerely, mourns silently and low. – From loving wife, Elsie. “BEECROFT. – In loving memory of Bdr. Horace Beecroft, died of wounds December 9th, 1917. Two years have passed, and still to memory dear, we often speak your name, dear one, and shed a silent tear; the flower we lay upon your grave will wither and decay, but the thoughts of one who sleeps beneath, will never pass away. – From mother, sisters, 128 North-gate. “BEECROFT. – In loving memory of my dear brother Horace, who died of wounds December 9th, 1917. Fond memory is as dear to-day, as in the hour he passed away. – From brother Bob, wife and family, 126 North-gate.” Above newspaper entries are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
