Henry Edward Beech

Identified on the album page as ‘Tot’ Beech, this is presumably Henry Edward Beech, born on 5 November 1856 at Brandon Lodge in Warwickshire, rather than his younger brother Reginald, who was born on 14 March 1862. Henry was the fourth child and third son of landowner James Beech and his wife Emily Charlotte née Madocks.

He appears on the 1861 census, aged 4, with his parents and three older siblings living at Brandon Lodge in Warwickshire. Also present on the night of the census were a governess and sixteen servants, including a butler, two footmen, a coachman and a groom, with various gamekeepers and gardeners living nearby.

He attended Pembroke College, Oxford (matriculated 25 October 1876, aged 19).

He appears on the 1891 census, aged 34, living at Church Eaton in Staffordshire, where he was the curate under Arthur Henry Talbot, the rector of the parish. In 1901 he had his own parish; he was the rector of St Warburgh’s at Kingsley in Staffordshire.

Having avoided the matrimonial state for the better part of his life, on 18 September 1902 at St Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington he married Elizabeth Mary Biggs, daughter of Sylvanus Biggs, Esq., formerly of Lichfield (Lichfield Mercury, 26 September 1902).

Reverend Henry Edward Beech died, aged 49, on 3 October 1906 at ‘Broadlands,’ Malden, Surrey. He left an estate valued at £65,112.

‘Widespread sorrow has been caused in Kingsley and district by the death of the Rev. Henry Edward Beech, MA, for twelve years rector of St Warburgh’s Parish Church, Kingsley. The name of Beech has been known and honoured in the place for generations, and the family have in gift the living of St Warburgh’s and retain the lordship of the manor of Kinglsey. The Church of England locally has considerably benefited by endowments at their hands […]. The deceased after acting as curate at Lower Gornall, near Wolverhampton, and Church Eaton, near Stafford, became Rector of Kinglsey. During the period of his rectorate the tower of the Parish Church was restored, the organ rebuilt, and many other improvements made to the church. He was a most conscientious pastor, and took a close personal interest in each of his parishioners. Probably the most marked trait in his character was his benevolence, which was well-nigh unbounded. He was a Freemason, and was Past Provincial Grand Chaplin of Staffordshire. He was an honorary member of most of the friendly societies, an enthusiastic supporter of the horticultural societies, and he took a deep interest in the intellectual, social, and athletic life of young people in his parish.’ The obituary concludes with a detailed report of his funeral (Staffordshire Sentinel, 10 October 1906).

Photographed by William Telfer of 194 Regent Street, London.