Fred House Archives - Grandad Beck

A Posse of Police at Wedding

Last week I wrote about the wedding of Grandad Beck’s daughter in the month of May 1925. (Laura) May Beck had lived in several police stations with her parents, she was born in Lyme Regis where her father was a constable, the family then moved to Upwey, followed by Dorchester and Blandford before coming to Beaminster. She must have known many of the police officers in Dorset and the local officers gave her with a guard of honour at her wedding.

The Bridport News reports that the weather was stormy and in this photograph it looks chilly and wet. Two of the guests have umbrellas up as they assembled for this photograph outside Beaminster church. Most of the guest are wearing coats and hats, from the photograph it doesn’t look like a summer wedding.

Wedding Photo — Outside the sacred building a posse of police from the Bridport Division, formed a guard of honour, and underneath their batons the bride and bridegroom passed amid showers of confetti (Text from Bridport News)

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Popular Wedding at Beaminster

On a stormy day, at 2 O’clock on Thursday 7th May 1925 my Grandparents married in Beaminster parish church. My Grandmother, Laura May, was the only daughter of Grandad Beck and his wife Rebecca. Because she died when my father was a small lad, there are few memories of her. We have a few clues to their wedding day, family photographs, a Bridport News article and a hand written note book of invitations sent. From these sources I have written this post.

The wedding took place at Beaminster Parish Church, described as capacious and stately, and was filled with relatives and friends. The ceremony was impressively conducted by the Vicar (Canon G. C. Hutchings, M.A.) assisted by the Rev. Mr Kershaw, of Powerstock. The paper also tells us the hymns sung were, “Lead us heavenly Father lead us,” and “O perfect love all human thoughts transcending.”

Bride and groom — Mr & Mrs House on their wedding day

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Celebrating the birth of Grandad Beck’s Grandson

Letters and post cards give us a small glimpse into the life and thoughts of our ancestors. They may tells us something about their characters but it would be too easy to make conclusions from these sources. For example what could we deduce from Grandad Beck’s start of his letter Hello you folks! and ending All the love yours APB to his daughter and son-in-law. The letter (well it is actually added on to his wife’s letter) shows a practical side, a sense of humour, a casual way of writing and yet ends with his initials APB.

I don’t have many letters but I have chosen a couple both written in 1926. Grandad Beck and his wife Rebecca had recently moved to Peel House, Bridport. There newly married daughter and son-in-law lived at Wytherston Farm, Powerstock about 6 miles away. May and Fred were married on 7th May 1925 and this post celebrates the birth of their first child, my Uncle, Frederick Osborne who was born on 17 March 1926.

Post Card 15 January 1926

Sometimes it is odd which correspondence survive, for example why did the card below from Grandad Beck to his father Eli survive but not the card/letter that was being answered.

View of a house with a elderly lady standing outside the front porch — Front of postcard Rebecca Beck outside the Farm House, Wytherston where my grandparents May (Grandad Beck’s daughter) and Fred House lived.

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RIP Mrs Percy

Rebecca Beck holding a small posy of flowers wearing a large brimmed hat with flowers — Rebecca Beck Date unknown but thought to be pre WW1

Bridport News March 2nd 1928
Deaths
Beck – March 1, at Peel House, St Andrew’s Road, Bridport, Rebecca Beck, wife of Supt. A. P. Beck, aged 66

The Bridport News also wrote a piece entitled SUPT. BECK’S BEREAVEMENT The deceased lady, … possessed a gentle and kindly disposition what endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. Throughout a long illness, borne with patience and fortitude, she was devotedly attended by her husband, while Dr. J.H. Armistead, her medical attendant, was unsparing in his efforts. The interment will take place at Blandford to-morrow (Saturday). The deepest sympathy is extended to Supt. Beck in the heavy bereavement that has befallen him.

Rebecca Beck (nee Illes)

My great grandparents had married 35 years before at Buckland Newton Church in Dorset. Grandad Beck was a 21 year old police constable and his bride a 35 year old former dairymaid. Throughout their marriage Rebecca had supported her husband’s career and, if family legend is correct, encouraged her husband to climb the promotional ladder.

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The Wayman’s of Corfe Mullen

A while ago I asked Who are these people? about a photograph including some of my Grandmother’s family. Sorting through the photograph albums I have found more photographs taken at the same time. Some of these are in front of a house, looking at one of them in detail I can make a good guess as to the question of where the photograph was taken and, therefore, who the people are.

Where was the photograph taken?

The answer to this question is possible because the owner of the house has very kindly put his name on the house wall. Thank you to Jim (cousin-in-law) for spotting this.

View of family showing the house — Wayman and Beck families outside Tower House, Pine Road, Corfe Mullen. Showing sign top left of house.

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Who are these people? Can you help?

I have been busy scanning in photos and thought you would like to help me with a photograph. I know some of my cousins read this blog and they may be able to help. This photo is out of sequence as the seated lady on the right is Rebecca Beck (Grandad Beck’s first wife) who died in March 1928. As Grandad Beck is not in the photo I would assume that he was the photographer. Unless he is the gentleman behind the lady in the flowery hat.

Group of people in front of a hedge — Can you help identify these people?

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