Lives of the First World War

He was always called Harry by his family

Compliments card on their marriage, sent to family and friends

left to right in this Beecher family photograph, are, Blanche b 1902, Charles Henry "Harry" b 1894 and Constance "Connie" b 1896. Taken at Bridgemary in Gosport Hampshire

family collectio

sent home from Mesopotamia to his family, from family collection.

Harry writes from Signal Park, Magil, Mestopotamia Ex Fce, to his sister Connie Beecher to let her know he is embarking on "Egra" for "Blighty" He will rise at 4am for embarking at 6am. When he arrives at Bombay India, he will probably have to wait for another boat for onward passage.

Letter from "A "Div: Signal Coy: Signal Service Depot Poona India. Harry writes to his sister Connie Beecher. Plenty of rumours concerning demob starting again soon, but no faith can be placed in them because it is becoming a regular occurrence. I believe it is done to keep the troops quiet. If l had not been so useful in Mesopot:, l should not have been here now. For the life of me l cannot picture Blighty again. l have a bit of a dread facing an English winter which will invariably be the case if demob starts this year.

Harry writes to his sister Connie Beecher who now living 91 Ringwood Rd Portsmouth Hants. On 11 Oct 1919 Harry is at No 10 Concentration Camp in Marseilles France, he was been on a boat for 3 weeks (from India) He expects to move from here in a day or two. I believe it takes 3 days journey by train across France and then a few hours in crossing the channel. It is bitterly cold here and l find it very difficult to keep warm at all.

Harry writes to his sister Connie Beecher from Sig Park & Depot Margil Mesopotamia that he has a choice of going on leave to India for 1 month, but it takes a week's voyage to get there and a week back. I have not decided where to go to (this is page 1 of a 2 page letter, see next image)

This is page 2 of a 2 page letter which is a continuation, see previous image where Harry wrote to his sister Connie Beecher from Sig Park & Depot Margil Mesopotamia that he has a choice of going on leave to India for 1 month, but it takes a week's voyage to get there and a week back. I have not decided where to go to THIS PAGE CONTINUES :Cawrpore or Lucknow or Bangalore. It would be nice up in the hills in the Himalayan Mts, but India is an enormous place and one can't go anywhere in a month. (it is not known whether Harry took up the offer of leave)

Charles Henry Beecher was called Harry by his family. He writes to his sister Connie Beecher that he has received her photo, isn't a glorious one of you. Today is Sunday which is a holiday for others working in the Park workshops, but us office people never seem to finish, just had another draft of men down for demob- that is how l like to see things because the sooner we get them all packed off the sooner "yours sincerely" gets away, so it is not exactly labour in vain after all.

Charles H Beecher 2 Sig Troop RE 24004

Front cover of Christmas 1916 and the New Year 1917 sent from Harry to Mother with love, from Maragil.

With all Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year From Harry to Mother with love. Christmas 1916 New Year 1917. Picture of Dust Storm at Maragil Mesopotamia.

"Harry" Charles Henry Beecher was 7 yrs old at the time his father died. This is a memorial card of his father Charles Beecher who died 22 June 1902 at 168 Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent.

This is the memorial card of his mother who died on 23 Sept 1917 at Lily House, 20 Upper Luton Road, Chatham Kent age 61 years Her correct name was Alice Elizabeth Beecher, formerly Walker nee Rosher. (Her Christian names are reversed on this memorial card) Harry was at the Signal Service Park & Depot, Margil, Camp, Mesopotamia when he received the terrible news.

Harry was 6 yrs old when his brother Frederick Gordon Beecher died aged 14 months at the family home 168 Windmill Rd, Gillingham Kent on 11th April 1901.

Harry was almost 2 years old when step brother Walter Walker died in Windmill Road, Gillingham Kent at the age of 8 yrs old. Their mother Alice Elizabeth Beecher, formerly Walker nee Rosher, was about 8 months pregnant at the time. Harry's sister Constance Mary Beecher was born on 18 October 1896. This memorial card has been passed down to me and is in our family collection.

Harry's wife Olive is in the centre of this photograph, with his sister Blanche Hawkesworth (left) and Constance Parsons (right)

Charles Henry Beecher was called "Harry" by his family. This is a photograph of his sister Constance Parsons nee Beecher (left), Herbert Beecher (brother, called "Bert"), Blanche Hawkesworth nee Beecher (sister).