Andrew Cracroft Becher
(1858-1929)
Major-General Andrew 'Andy' Cracroft Becher CBE , the fifth child of Arthur Mitford Becher and Frances Ann, was born 26th August 1858 at Brighton. He was educated at Wellington College (Hill House) between 1873-75 and then entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Foot (The Royal Scots Regiment) on 30th January 1878. His subsequent commissions were:
Lieutenant 1st September 1880 2nd Bn E. Norfolk Regiment; Captain 21st May 1884; Adjutant 15th December 1886, 1st Bn Norfolk Regiment; Major 14th August 1895; Lt. Col. 12th March 1900p; Brevet-Colonel 10th February 1904 Retired 1905; Hon Maj-Gen 6th March 1918; Hon Brig-Gen 17th February 1919.
He took part in actions during the 2nd Afghanistan War of 1879-80 (medal and clasp Kabul) and the South African War of 1899-1902 (medal and 2 clasps Cape Colony and Johannesburg) and he received the Delhi Durbar Medal of 1903; He commanded the 1st Bn Norfolk Regt 1900-04 and retired on retired pay in 1905. He then commanded the Dorset Light Infantry Territorial Brigade 1908-14 and was re-employed during WW1 serving in various appointments at home from 1914-18. He commanded the 63rd Northumbrian Division 1915-16; Southern Command Depot, Sutton Coldfield 1916-18 and was granted the honorary rank of Brig-General and later the honorary rank of Maj-General and awarded the CBE. He lived in retirement at Northam Lodge, Northam, North Devon and was a member of the Royal N. Devon Golf Club.
The drawing on the left shows Edith Mary Becher, Andrew Cracroft Becher, seated Lady Becher, Ethel Hope Becher, George Arthur Becher, Sir Arthur Mitford Becher. Seated far right is Dr Webb, who drew the picture about 1875.
He married, firstly, Frances Maude Johnson on 6th February 1883 at St George's, Hanover Square, Square, London. She was born in 1856 at Hartismere, Suffolk the daughter of Maurice Johnson, of Ayscough Fee Hall, Spalding, and Isabella Swan. She died 4th July 1904.
There were three children by his first wife:
1. Capt MAURICE ANDREW NOEL BECHER was born on 30th December 1884 at Ayscough Hall, Mutford, Suffolk. He was educated at Harrow School from 1898-1903 and went up to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned direct from university into the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant (Supernumerary-University Candidate) on 25th February 1905. He transferred as a fully fledged 2nd Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers on 28th June 1905 and was promoted to Captain on 15th May 1914.
He was in India when the war broke out and left with his Regiment for Ismailia, Egypt, in October 1914. After being there for six or eight weeks, during which time there was no fighting, and he returned with the Regiment to England. In March 1915 the regiment was ordered to the Dardanelles, being one of the units of the 29th Division. He was reported 'wounded and missing' on April 26th 1915, the day after the regiment had landed at Y Beach, Gallipoli. The Turks broke through the line shortly after he was wounded, and he was never seen again. No further information being forthcoming, he was, in June, 1916, officially presumed killed in action. He is named on both the Harrow School and the Trinity College, Cambridge, WW1 Memorials.
There were three children by his first wife:
1. Capt MAURICE ANDREW NOEL BECHER was born on 30th December 1884 at Ayscough Hall, Mutford, Suffolk. He was educated at Harrow School from 1898-1903 and went up to Trinity College, Cambridge. He was commissioned direct from university into the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant (Supernumerary-University Candidate) on 25th February 1905. He transferred as a fully fledged 2nd Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers on 28th June 1905 and was promoted to Captain on 15th May 1914.
He was in India when the war broke out and left with his Regiment for Ismailia, Egypt, in October 1914. After being there for six or eight weeks, during which time there was no fighting, and he returned with the Regiment to England. In March 1915 the regiment was ordered to the Dardanelles, being one of the units of the 29th Division. He was reported 'wounded and missing' on April 26th 1915, the day after the regiment had landed at Y Beach, Gallipoli. The Turks broke through the line shortly after he was wounded, and he was never seen again. No further information being forthcoming, he was, in June, 1916, officially presumed killed in action. He is named on both the Harrow School and the Trinity College, Cambridge, WW1 Memorials.
On 30th July 1915 The Scotsman published the following obituary:
SON OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL BECHER KILLED
'Captain Maurice Andrew Noel Becher, 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, who is unofficially reported killed on 26th April 1915 in the Dardanelles, was the only son of Brigadier-General Andrew Becher, Commanding Northumbrian Division, and of Howbury, St Andrews, and the late Frances Maude, daughter of the late Mr Maurice Johnson of Ayscovah Free Hall, Lincolnshire. Born in 1884 he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and obtained his first commission in the K.O.S.B. in 1905 becoming a Captain in 1914. He returned with his battalion from India in October last an proceeded to the Dardanelles with the 29th Division. He fell in the advanced trench the morning following the landing on Y beach, conspicuous to the last, as the survivors relate, by his coolness and daring.'
He married Violet Isabel Todd on 18th December 1912 at St Andrews, Scotland. She was born 24th January 1886 at Broughty Ferry, Fifeshire the daughter of Charles Edward Todd and Isobel Gordon (no relation).
By 1930s she was living at Barlows, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire where she wrote a book on The History of St Margaret's Church, Tylers Green 1854-1937. She died 14th July 1960 at Henley-on-Thames.
There were two children:
a. Frances Isobel Becher was born 16th December 1913 at Lucknow, India. She married, firstly, Captain Montague Reginald Aymer 'Tony' Ainslie on 1st May 1937 at St Mary the Virgin, Hambledon, Buckinghamshire. H was born 29th September 1908, the son of Claude John Ainslie and Mildred Mallandaine.
The Hampshire Advertiser and Southampton Times went on to report that: Mr. Montagu Reginald Aymer Ainslie, the 16th Punjab Regiment, was the son of Mr and Mrs Ainslie of Brookley House, Brockenhurst. The bride was Miss Frances Isobel Becher, daughter of the late Capt. Maurice Becher King's Own Scottish Borderers, and Mrs Becher, of Barlows, Frieth, Henley-on-Thames. The service was choral and the Rector of Hambledon (the Rev. W. Watts, M.A.), officiated. The bride was given away by her uncle, Lt-Col C. G. Crosthwaite, C.I.E., I.A. (retired), was attended by four bridesmaids: Miss Alison Stephenson, Miss Ann Becher (sister of the bride), Miss Bridget Paterson and Miss Ann Traughton. Major H. S. Larkin, the 16th Punjab Regiment, acted as best man. The bride wore a white radiant satin dress simply cut, with a square neck, Medici Collar and short train, with a silver girdle, and a silver head dress edged with pearls. Her veil was of old Honiton lace and she carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley. The bridesmaids wore white still silk dresses, tight bodices, full skirts and shot sleeves, with sashes of green, purple and cyclamen chiffon. They had white Juliet caps with short veils and carried mixed posies of sweet peas and tulips. After the wedding, the bride and bridegroom left for a motor tour of the West of England.
Sadly the marriage was short lived, he died on 14th June 1937 at Karachi Military Hospital. There was one son.
She married, Secondly, Squadron Leader Philip Tyson Woodcock on 4th March 1939 in London. He was born 8th February 1903 the son of the Rev. Edward Tyson Woodcock and Edith Ford. He died 5th April 1988 at Casa Nova, Pazano in Chianti, Italy. She died on 19th February 1999 at Chelsea, London. There was one son.
b. Anne Violet Becher was born 26th September 1915 at Fife, Scotland. She died on 2nd December at Watlington, Oxfordshire.
2. JOAN BECHER was born 19th November 1885 at Mutford, Suffolk and married Col. Charles Gilbert Crosthwaite CMG, CBE, on 30th October 1907 at Naini Tal, India. He was born 3rd June 1878 the son of Sir Robert Joseph Crosthwaite KCSI and Mary James. He died 30th July 1940 at Over Debden, Woodbridge, Suffolk and she died there in 1975.
3. MARJORIE ROSE BECHER was born 1st February 1891 in Norwich. On 25th February 1938 she sailed to Kobe, Japan, aboard the Rawalpindi presumably as a tourist. She never married and died in 1972 in Farnham, Surrey.
SON OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL BECHER KILLED
'Captain Maurice Andrew Noel Becher, 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, who is unofficially reported killed on 26th April 1915 in the Dardanelles, was the only son of Brigadier-General Andrew Becher, Commanding Northumbrian Division, and of Howbury, St Andrews, and the late Frances Maude, daughter of the late Mr Maurice Johnson of Ayscovah Free Hall, Lincolnshire. Born in 1884 he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge, and obtained his first commission in the K.O.S.B. in 1905 becoming a Captain in 1914. He returned with his battalion from India in October last an proceeded to the Dardanelles with the 29th Division. He fell in the advanced trench the morning following the landing on Y beach, conspicuous to the last, as the survivors relate, by his coolness and daring.'
He married Violet Isabel Todd on 18th December 1912 at St Andrews, Scotland. She was born 24th January 1886 at Broughty Ferry, Fifeshire the daughter of Charles Edward Todd and Isobel Gordon (no relation).
By 1930s she was living at Barlows, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire where she wrote a book on The History of St Margaret's Church, Tylers Green 1854-1937. She died 14th July 1960 at Henley-on-Thames.
There were two children:
a. Frances Isobel Becher was born 16th December 1913 at Lucknow, India. She married, firstly, Captain Montague Reginald Aymer 'Tony' Ainslie on 1st May 1937 at St Mary the Virgin, Hambledon, Buckinghamshire. H was born 29th September 1908, the son of Claude John Ainslie and Mildred Mallandaine.
The Hampshire Advertiser and Southampton Times went on to report that: Mr. Montagu Reginald Aymer Ainslie, the 16th Punjab Regiment, was the son of Mr and Mrs Ainslie of Brookley House, Brockenhurst. The bride was Miss Frances Isobel Becher, daughter of the late Capt. Maurice Becher King's Own Scottish Borderers, and Mrs Becher, of Barlows, Frieth, Henley-on-Thames. The service was choral and the Rector of Hambledon (the Rev. W. Watts, M.A.), officiated. The bride was given away by her uncle, Lt-Col C. G. Crosthwaite, C.I.E., I.A. (retired), was attended by four bridesmaids: Miss Alison Stephenson, Miss Ann Becher (sister of the bride), Miss Bridget Paterson and Miss Ann Traughton. Major H. S. Larkin, the 16th Punjab Regiment, acted as best man. The bride wore a white radiant satin dress simply cut, with a square neck, Medici Collar and short train, with a silver girdle, and a silver head dress edged with pearls. Her veil was of old Honiton lace and she carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley. The bridesmaids wore white still silk dresses, tight bodices, full skirts and shot sleeves, with sashes of green, purple and cyclamen chiffon. They had white Juliet caps with short veils and carried mixed posies of sweet peas and tulips. After the wedding, the bride and bridegroom left for a motor tour of the West of England.
Sadly the marriage was short lived, he died on 14th June 1937 at Karachi Military Hospital. There was one son.
She married, Secondly, Squadron Leader Philip Tyson Woodcock on 4th March 1939 in London. He was born 8th February 1903 the son of the Rev. Edward Tyson Woodcock and Edith Ford. He died 5th April 1988 at Casa Nova, Pazano in Chianti, Italy. She died on 19th February 1999 at Chelsea, London. There was one son.
b. Anne Violet Becher was born 26th September 1915 at Fife, Scotland. She died on 2nd December at Watlington, Oxfordshire.
2. JOAN BECHER was born 19th November 1885 at Mutford, Suffolk and married Col. Charles Gilbert Crosthwaite CMG, CBE, on 30th October 1907 at Naini Tal, India. He was born 3rd June 1878 the son of Sir Robert Joseph Crosthwaite KCSI and Mary James. He died 30th July 1940 at Over Debden, Woodbridge, Suffolk and she died there in 1975.
3. MARJORIE ROSE BECHER was born 1st February 1891 in Norwich. On 25th February 1938 she sailed to Kobe, Japan, aboard the Rawalpindi presumably as a tourist. She never married and died in 1972 in Farnham, Surrey.
Andrew Cracroft Becher married, secondly, Elizabeth Dalyell Stewart 13th April 1907 at Edinburgh. They are pictured below in 1907.
She was born 5th August 1878 at Inverkeithing, Fifeshire, the daughter of James Raphael Stewart and Annette Louisa Cheape. She died 24th March 1963 at Hampstead, London. He died at The Union Club, Westward Ho!, Northam, North Devon and was buried there.
The Western Times reported that: The funeral of Major-Gen. Becher, C.B.E., who died suddenly on Saturday, took place at Northam Parish Church. The hymns 'Sum of My Soul,' 'O love that will not let me go' and 'Through all the changing scenes of life' were sung and the organist at the close of the church service played Chopin's Funeral March. The Northam Troop of Boy Scouts attended, in the charge of Lt-Col. Bassett. The chief mourners were the widow, Arthur, James, Sullivan and Denys (sons), Mrs M.A.N. Becher (daughter-in-law), Master Robert Crosthwaite (grandson), the Novice Margery Rise (daughter), Dame Ethel Becher (niece), Col and Mrs Stewart (brother and sister-in-laws), Mrs A.C. Hartley (sister-in-law), Miss Hallett, and MR Hamilton (London). The Last Post was sounded by Drum-Major Barrow, Barnstaple. The coffin was borne to the grave covered with the Union Jack, upon which were placed the deceased officer's sword and cap. His epitaph reads: 'In very loving memory of Major Gen. Andrew Cracroft Becher C.B.E. Late of the Norfolk Regiment. Born August 26th 1858, Died May 11th 1929.'
There were four sons:
1. Arthur Ford Becher was born 11th January 1909 though it is not known where. He was educated at Sherborne School for the 3rd Term in 1922 and left in 1927 and went up to New College, Oxford where apart from anything else he distinguished himself in tennis and golf. He died aged twenty-seven on 20th January 1936 at the European Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
His obituary in The Shirburnian reads:
'ARTHUR FORD BECHER came to Sherborne in 1922. His intelligence and his tastes were of a high order and, above all other qualities, his disposition and his transparent soundness made others glad to have him in their midst. He loved Sherborne and gave of his best at all times.
While at New College he only just missed his Blue for Golf, and after Oxford he was given a position under the Colonial Office. His work lay in Nigeria. His letters from a distant station were thoughtful but happy. In one he asked his Housemaster to send him some of the Classics, including Virgil, adding a word of gratitude that he had been dissuaded from giving up Greek at School. He was invalided home four years ago, but returned to Nigeria as fit. His work showed brilliant promise, but last November he became desperately ill with blood poisoning. In January it was considered best to send him home to England, but he died at Lagos on the journey. So passed on one who, as a boy, gave much to and received much from Sherborne. As a man he lost none of that charming friendliness which is such a clear recollection, and he added to it deeper feelings which one knew instinctively were the very mainspring of his life.'
She was born 5th August 1878 at Inverkeithing, Fifeshire, the daughter of James Raphael Stewart and Annette Louisa Cheape. She died 24th March 1963 at Hampstead, London. He died at The Union Club, Westward Ho!, Northam, North Devon and was buried there.
The Western Times reported that: The funeral of Major-Gen. Becher, C.B.E., who died suddenly on Saturday, took place at Northam Parish Church. The hymns 'Sum of My Soul,' 'O love that will not let me go' and 'Through all the changing scenes of life' were sung and the organist at the close of the church service played Chopin's Funeral March. The Northam Troop of Boy Scouts attended, in the charge of Lt-Col. Bassett. The chief mourners were the widow, Arthur, James, Sullivan and Denys (sons), Mrs M.A.N. Becher (daughter-in-law), Master Robert Crosthwaite (grandson), the Novice Margery Rise (daughter), Dame Ethel Becher (niece), Col and Mrs Stewart (brother and sister-in-laws), Mrs A.C. Hartley (sister-in-law), Miss Hallett, and MR Hamilton (London). The Last Post was sounded by Drum-Major Barrow, Barnstaple. The coffin was borne to the grave covered with the Union Jack, upon which were placed the deceased officer's sword and cap. His epitaph reads: 'In very loving memory of Major Gen. Andrew Cracroft Becher C.B.E. Late of the Norfolk Regiment. Born August 26th 1858, Died May 11th 1929.'
There were four sons:
1. Arthur Ford Becher was born 11th January 1909 though it is not known where. He was educated at Sherborne School for the 3rd Term in 1922 and left in 1927 and went up to New College, Oxford where apart from anything else he distinguished himself in tennis and golf. He died aged twenty-seven on 20th January 1936 at the European Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.
His obituary in The Shirburnian reads:
'ARTHUR FORD BECHER came to Sherborne in 1922. His intelligence and his tastes were of a high order and, above all other qualities, his disposition and his transparent soundness made others glad to have him in their midst. He loved Sherborne and gave of his best at all times.
While at New College he only just missed his Blue for Golf, and after Oxford he was given a position under the Colonial Office. His work lay in Nigeria. His letters from a distant station were thoughtful but happy. In one he asked his Housemaster to send him some of the Classics, including Virgil, adding a word of gratitude that he had been dissuaded from giving up Greek at School. He was invalided home four years ago, but returned to Nigeria as fit. His work showed brilliant promise, but last November he became desperately ill with blood poisoning. In January it was considered best to send him home to England, but he died at Lagos on the journey. So passed on one who, as a boy, gave much to and received much from Sherborne. As a man he lost none of that charming friendliness which is such a clear recollection, and he added to it deeper feelings which one knew instinctively were the very mainspring of his life.'
2. Major James 'Jimmie' Stewart Becher was born 12th July 1910 at Edinburgh. He was educated first at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and then entered Sherborne School for the 1st Term of 1926 and left in 1928 and entered the 'The Shop' (the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich) as a Cadet Scholar, having won a prize cadetship, with the Royal Engineers.
He married Elizabeth Margaret Bell in 1939 in Kensington, London. She was born 2nd April 1919 the daughter of Mr R.S. Bell, Inspector-General of Police in Kashmir. After her husband's death she married in 1941 Thomas Lee Rea Hardy (1903-1982) at St George's, Hanover Square, London and they had two sons and two daughters. She died 13th September 2003 at Chester, Cheshire.
The Times obituary for James Stewart Becher goes on to record that: 'He did the usual young officers' course at Chatham and at Cambridge, where he was up at King's, and took an honours degree in the Mechanical Sciences Tripos, and then served from 1934-38 with the 19th Field Company, Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners, which he ultimately commanded. He saw active service in India and Waziristan, and in 1932 was awarded the NW Frontier Medal. Returning home, he became Adjutant of the 42nd (East Lancs) Divisional Royal Engineers (TA), with whom he went to France in 1940, took part in the retreat from Dunkirk, and was Mentioned in Despatches. In August 1940, he was promoted major, commanding 209 Field Company, RE which command he held when he was killed. His personality was strong and mature, and his mind alert and decisive, with a sense of humour that delighted his friends.'
The circumstances of his death were officially recorded as killed in action in that he died along with fellow officer 2nd Lt C. Wilson as they were inspecting a mine on the beach at Dover, Kent. He was buried at Canterbury Cemetery, Kent. There was one daughter.
He married Elizabeth Margaret Bell in 1939 in Kensington, London. She was born 2nd April 1919 the daughter of Mr R.S. Bell, Inspector-General of Police in Kashmir. After her husband's death she married in 1941 Thomas Lee Rea Hardy (1903-1982) at St George's, Hanover Square, London and they had two sons and two daughters. She died 13th September 2003 at Chester, Cheshire.
The Times obituary for James Stewart Becher goes on to record that: 'He did the usual young officers' course at Chatham and at Cambridge, where he was up at King's, and took an honours degree in the Mechanical Sciences Tripos, and then served from 1934-38 with the 19th Field Company, Royal Bombay Sappers and Miners, which he ultimately commanded. He saw active service in India and Waziristan, and in 1932 was awarded the NW Frontier Medal. Returning home, he became Adjutant of the 42nd (East Lancs) Divisional Royal Engineers (TA), with whom he went to France in 1940, took part in the retreat from Dunkirk, and was Mentioned in Despatches. In August 1940, he was promoted major, commanding 209 Field Company, RE which command he held when he was killed. His personality was strong and mature, and his mind alert and decisive, with a sense of humour that delighted his friends.'
The circumstances of his death were officially recorded as killed in action in that he died along with fellow officer 2nd Lt C. Wilson as they were inspecting a mine on the beach at Dover, Kent. He was buried at Canterbury Cemetery, Kent. There was one daughter.
3. Michael Douglas Sullivan Becher was born 6th May 1914 at St Andrews, Fife. He entered Sherborne School, Dorset in 1928 and left in 1930 and then went to Perpignan University in southern France. He attested for the Royal Artillery in 1938 and transferred from its Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU) to become a Captain in the Intelligence Corps and served in WW2 and took part in special operations. After the war he became a businessman and served variously as a director or chairman of a number of different companies including Keyser Ullman. He was a member of the Stock Exchange and a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society.
He married, firstly, Helen Blossom M. Parlato, née Mackenzie, in 1946 in London. She was born 19th October 1915 the daughter of Lt. Col. Robert H. Mackenzie and Elizabeth Holmes and the former wife of Albert N. Parlato; she died 27th August 1970 in Chelsea. There was one daughter and two sons.
On 2nd April 1956 he arrived at Southampton having embarked by himself at New York and sailed home 1st Class on the Queen Mary. He was then living at Hollis House, Court Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
He married, secondly, Barbara Eeles, née Maryon, on 27th April 1973 at Westminster. She was the widow of Henry Tristram Eeles (1908-1971 Saffron Walden) whom she had married in 1939. Michael Douglas Sullivan Becher died 1997 in France.
4. Denys Andrew Becher was born 27th September 1919 at Bedford. It is not known where he went to school but afterwards in 1938 he went up to St Edmund Hall, Oxford where he read Modern Languages (French and German) having completed a shortened degree which was not conferred until 1947 after he had served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
He married Konstanz Margarethe Davidson, née Isepp, in 1988 in Chelsea. She was born 4th August 1927 in Austria the daughter of Sebastian Mathius Isepp and Helene Hammerschlag who had emigrated to England following persecution of the Jews in Carinthia, Austria, and the former wife of Alan H. Davidson whom she had married in 1969 in Hampstead. She died 12th October 2005 at Kensington, London. Denys Andrew Becher died peacefully at Princess Louise Nursing Home, London NW10 on 30th April 2011, aged 91 years.
He married, firstly, Helen Blossom M. Parlato, née Mackenzie, in 1946 in London. She was born 19th October 1915 the daughter of Lt. Col. Robert H. Mackenzie and Elizabeth Holmes and the former wife of Albert N. Parlato; she died 27th August 1970 in Chelsea. There was one daughter and two sons.
On 2nd April 1956 he arrived at Southampton having embarked by himself at New York and sailed home 1st Class on the Queen Mary. He was then living at Hollis House, Court Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
He married, secondly, Barbara Eeles, née Maryon, on 27th April 1973 at Westminster. She was the widow of Henry Tristram Eeles (1908-1971 Saffron Walden) whom she had married in 1939. Michael Douglas Sullivan Becher died 1997 in France.
4. Denys Andrew Becher was born 27th September 1919 at Bedford. It is not known where he went to school but afterwards in 1938 he went up to St Edmund Hall, Oxford where he read Modern Languages (French and German) having completed a shortened degree which was not conferred until 1947 after he had served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Norfolk Regiment.
He married Konstanz Margarethe Davidson, née Isepp, in 1988 in Chelsea. She was born 4th August 1927 in Austria the daughter of Sebastian Mathius Isepp and Helene Hammerschlag who had emigrated to England following persecution of the Jews in Carinthia, Austria, and the former wife of Alan H. Davidson whom she had married in 1969 in Hampstead. She died 12th October 2005 at Kensington, London. Denys Andrew Becher died peacefully at Princess Louise Nursing Home, London NW10 on 30th April 2011, aged 91 years.