Charles 'Charley' Grant Becher (1811-1859)
CHARLES 'CHARLEY' GRANT BECHER, the fourth child of Charles Grant Becher and his second wife, Charlotte Humfrays, was born 20th January 1811 at Calcutta and was sent to England to be educated at Sherborne School in Dorset which he left in 1828.
He had an illustrious career in the Army ahead of him. He went out to India when he was eighteen years old aboard the Reliance arriving there on 27th August 1829 to “do duty” with the 5th Light Cavalry as a Cornet. He became an Acting-Cornet 27th October 1831 having been in India for more than two years.
His appointments were: |
Detail |
27th February 1832 |
4th Light Cavalry |
3rd January 1835 |
5th Light Cavalry |
4th January 1836 |
Officiating Adjutant, Governor General's Body Guard |
9th June 1836 |
1st Light Cavalry |
27th December 1837 |
1st Cavalry Oudh Auxiliary Force |
19th February 1838 |
Adjutant, 1st Cavalry Oudh Auxiliary Force |
15th March 1842 |
2nd in Command 8th Irregular Cavalry. He took part in the 1st Afghan War 1842 including the Battles of Tezeen, Kabul and Istalif. |
11th December 1842 |
Transferred to the 5th Light Cavalry and was on service in Bundelkhand and Second in Command of the 8th Irregular Cavalry on 20th December 1842 and took part in the Gwalior Campaign, Battle of Panniar and was awarded the Bronze Star. |
27th June 1845 |
Took command of the 8th Irregular Cavalry and took part in the 1st Sikh War (1845-46) at Sobraon where his horse was wounded; he was also awarded the Medal. |
1858 |
Posted to the newly raised 5th European Light Cavalry Beatson's Horse 1st Corps (Central Indian Corps). Between October 1858 and April 1859 he took part in the Mutiny campaign against the rebels in Malwa and Central India. |
His Commissions were: Cadet 1828-1829; Cornet 27th August 1829; Acting Cornet 27th October 1831; Lieutenant 12th November 1842; Captain and Brevet Major 10th October 1851; Battalion Lt. Col. 28th November 1854.
The photo left, shows him in the 1850s as 2nd in Command of the 8th Irregular Cavalry. In passing, the original of this photo was sold by Bates and Hindmarch, Cheltenham, in December 2020.
He married Henrietta Macdonald Stedman on 25th August 1846 at Ludhiana.
She was born in 1825 at Neemuch, India, the daughter of Lt Col Sir Robert Adrian Stedman CB and Anna Hennessey. She died on 18th January 1890 at 26 Oriental Place, Brighton and was buried at Speldhurst Church, Kent, where there is a joint memorial pictured below left.
His Commissions were: Cadet 1828-1829; Cornet 27th August 1829; Acting Cornet 27th October 1831; Lieutenant 12th November 1842; Captain and Brevet Major 10th October 1851; Battalion Lt. Col. 28th November 1854.
He married Henrietta Macdonald Stedman 1840 who was born in 1825 at Neemuch, India, the daughter of Lt Col Sir Robert Adrian Stedman CB and Anna Hennessey. She died on 18th January 1890 at 26 Oriental Place, Brighton and was buried at Speldhurst Church, Kent, where there is a joint memorial pictured left.
Charles Grant Becher died on 2nd April 1859 at Indore while on his way back to England. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin, Speldhurst, Kent and there is a memorial to him which was erected by his eldest son Charles Adrian Gough Becher: 'Charles Grant Becher, son of Charles Becher Esq, late of Chancellor House in this parish, Lt Col in the 8th Bengal Cavalry, who died on active service at Indore during the Indian Mutiny on 2nd April 1859, aged 46. Erected by his eldest son Chas. Adrian Gough Becher, Capt First King's Dragoon Guards. Also to Henrietta Macdonald, widow of the above, died Brighton 18th January 1890, aged 65.'
There were six children:
1. Elizabeth Trower Becher was baptised 18th November 1845 at Landour, India. Sadly, nothing more is known about her.
2. Charles 'Charlie' Adrian Gough Becher, pictured left, was born 19th September 1848 at Gurruckpore and was educated at Adelaide House School, Roussel Street, St Helier, Jersey. He sold Chancellor House, Tunbridge Wells thus ending its long association with the Becher family.
He followed in his father's footsteps with an army career and purchased a Commission and was appointed Cornet in the 1st Battalion Dragoon Guards 30th September 1868 then stationed in Sheffield. The following year the regiment moved to Manchester and received orders to prepare for service in Ireland to quell the civil unrest arriving there on 6th December 1869. He was later promoted to Captain and appointed Aide de Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 15th December 1873 to 13th February 1879 when he resigned his appointment in order to rejoin his regiment in Aldershot before it departed for South Africa where he served with the Natal Field Force and was present during the Zulu Campaign of 1879 for which he received the medal and clasp. He retired in 1886, was Adjutant of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, and lived at Berryfields, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
He married Muriel Ruth Tomlinson on 23rd July 1890 at Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire. She was born 1869 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, the daughter of the Rev. Routh Tomlinson, for many years the Rector of Finchampstead, Berkshire, and late Vicar of Kirkfield, Wakefield and Helen Frances Marshall. She died 29th February 1948 at Cheltenham.
He was killed while hunting with the Heythrop Hounds on 19th November 1913. According to The Times, 'the hounds met at Langston Arms, and after they had drawn Bould Wood, Captain Becher was galloping by the side of the cover when his horse fell; he was thrown on his head and broke his neck.'
There were four children:
a. (Rev) Charles Leonard Gough Routh Becher was born 15th May 1891 on the Isle of Wight. He entered Radley College in 1908 and left the same year; BA Clare College, Cambridge; took Holy Orders 1917; Curate of Bermondsey 1917; Vicar of Rothley, Leics 1938; Vicar of Cranfield, Bucks 1946.
In The Times of 30th April 1931, on the occasion of Cambridge University Mission's 25th anniversary meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel, it was reported that 'Rev. C.L.R. Becher, present head of Cambridge University Mission, said that although Bermondsey's drink bill till recently equalled the total of rents and rates on private residences, plus the amount paid for bread and milk, the electors of the borough had chosen a member of Parliament pledged to abolish the drink traffic.'
He married Valerie Grace May Buckland on 27th January 1925 at St. Andrew's Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Straits Times reported that there were eight Revs, friends of the bridegroom, who took part or were present at the wedding. She was born in 1889 at Forest Gate, Essex, the daughter of William C. Buckland and Eleanor Sophia Bowtell and died in 1971. He died in 1973 at Saffron Walden, Essex. There were two children.
He followed in his father's footsteps with an army career and purchased a Commission and was appointed Cornet in the 1st Battalion Dragoon Guards 30th September 1868 then stationed in Sheffield. The following year the regiment moved to Manchester and received orders to prepare for service in Ireland to quell the civil unrest arriving there on 6th December 1869. He was later promoted to Captain and appointed Aide de Camp to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 15th December 1873 to 13th February 1879 when he resigned his appointment in order to rejoin his regiment in Aldershot before it departed for South Africa where he served with the Natal Field Force and was present during the Zulu Campaign of 1879 for which he received the medal and clasp. He retired in 1886, was Adjutant of the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars, and lived at Berryfields, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire.
He married Muriel Ruth Tomlinson on 23rd July 1890 at Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire. She was born 1869 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, the daughter of the Rev. Routh Tomlinson, for many years the Rector of Finchampstead, Berkshire, and late Vicar of Kirkfield, Wakefield and Helen Frances Marshall. She died 29th February 1948 at Cheltenham.
He was killed while hunting with the Heythrop Hounds on 19th November 1913. According to The Times, 'the hounds met at Langston Arms, and after they had drawn Bould Wood, Captain Becher was galloping by the side of the cover when his horse fell; he was thrown on his head and broke his neck.'
There were four children:
a. (Rev) Charles Leonard Gough Routh Becher was born 15th May 1891 on the Isle of Wight. He entered Radley College in 1908 and left the same year; BA Clare College, Cambridge; took Holy Orders 1917; Curate of Bermondsey 1917; Vicar of Rothley, Leics 1938; Vicar of Cranfield, Bucks 1946.
In The Times of 30th April 1931, on the occasion of Cambridge University Mission's 25th anniversary meeting at the Cannon Street Hotel, it was reported that 'Rev. C.L.R. Becher, present head of Cambridge University Mission, said that although Bermondsey's drink bill till recently equalled the total of rents and rates on private residences, plus the amount paid for bread and milk, the electors of the borough had chosen a member of Parliament pledged to abolish the drink traffic.'
He married Valerie Grace May Buckland on 27th January 1925 at St. Andrew's Church, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Straits Times reported that there were eight Revs, friends of the bridegroom, who took part or were present at the wedding. She was born in 1889 at Forest Gate, Essex, the daughter of William C. Buckland and Eleanor Sophia Bowtell and died in 1971. He died in 1973 at Saffron Walden, Essex. There were two children.
b. Helen Phyllis Becher was born 22nd November 1892 at Oddington, Stow-in-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
She married Lt. Gen. Sir John 'Jack' Fullerton Evetts CB, CBE, MC on 14th October 1916 at St Lawrence Church, Stow-on-the-Wold. He was born 30th June 1891 at Naini Tal, India the son of Captain John Mews Evetts, of Tackley Park, Oxfordshire, and Elizabeth Marianne Fullerton. He was educated at Lancing College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and commissioned into The Cameronians in 1911. He fought on the Western Front during WW1 and was awarded the Military Cross and Mentioned in Despatches in 1916. He was Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General from 1932 then C.O. of the 1st Bn Ulster Rifles from 1934. He commanded 16th Infantry Brigade during the Arab Revolt 1935-1939. During WW2 he was a Brigadier on the General Staff of Northern Command in India from 1939 and then commanded the Western District of India from 1940. He was GOC 6th Infantry Division in N. Africa from 1941 and became Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1942 and afterwards Senior Military Adviser to the Ministry of Supply from 1944. He retired in 1946 and he then led the establishment of the Anglo-Australian Joint Project, which led to the formation and development of the Long Range Weapons Establishment (LRWE) at Salisbury, in Adelaide, South Australia, and the famous 'Woomera Rocket Range' - now the 'Woomera Test Range' 460 km north of Adelaide. On 26th Sept 1947 he was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from April to November 1943. In retirement he became Managing Director and then Chairman of Rotol Ltd (an engineering company) and British Messier. He died 21st December 1988 at Cheltenham; his wife predeceased him on 15th April 1980 at Evesham.
There was one son, Lt Col. Michael John Evetts MC 1917-2001.
She married Lt. Gen. Sir John 'Jack' Fullerton Evetts CB, CBE, MC on 14th October 1916 at St Lawrence Church, Stow-on-the-Wold. He was born 30th June 1891 at Naini Tal, India the son of Captain John Mews Evetts, of Tackley Park, Oxfordshire, and Elizabeth Marianne Fullerton. He was educated at Lancing College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and commissioned into The Cameronians in 1911. He fought on the Western Front during WW1 and was awarded the Military Cross and Mentioned in Despatches in 1916. He was Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General from 1932 then C.O. of the 1st Bn Ulster Rifles from 1934. He commanded 16th Infantry Brigade during the Arab Revolt 1935-1939. During WW2 he was a Brigadier on the General Staff of Northern Command in India from 1939 and then commanded the Western District of India from 1940. He was GOC 6th Infantry Division in N. Africa from 1941 and became Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1942 and afterwards Senior Military Adviser to the Ministry of Supply from 1944. He retired in 1946 and he then led the establishment of the Anglo-Australian Joint Project, which led to the formation and development of the Long Range Weapons Establishment (LRWE) at Salisbury, in Adelaide, South Australia, and the famous 'Woomera Rocket Range' - now the 'Woomera Test Range' 460 km north of Adelaide. On 26th Sept 1947 he was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from April to November 1943. In retirement he became Managing Director and then Chairman of Rotol Ltd (an engineering company) and British Messier. He died 21st December 1988 at Cheltenham; his wife predeceased him on 15th April 1980 at Evesham.
There was one son, Lt Col. Michael John Evetts MC 1917-2001.
c. Maj-Gen Adrian William Bay Becher MC was born 17th May 1897 at Oddington, Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
He was commissioned into the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 11th November 1914 and became Aide-de-Camp to Commander, Humber Garrison August 1915 to April 1916. He was seconded to the Air Ministry from May 1918 to March 1919. He served in France from 1916-18 and in Italy from 1917-18. He took part in operations in Iraq 1919 – 1920 and then in Mesopotamia in 1920. He retired in 1921.
He was awarded the Military Cross with Bar in March 1918, pictured left. The citation in the London Gazette reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For five days he held a most difficult position with his company under continuous and heavy fire. Though buried by a shell on the first day, he remained at duty, moving up and down the line, encouraging his men, under heavy fire. As a result of his efforts the line was strongly consolidated and a continuous trench was dug. Throughout the operations he set a magnificent example to all ranks.
He married Amy Phyllis Noel Brown 8th August 1925 at St James', Cheltenham. She was born 25th December 1900 the daughter of Alexander Brown and Amy Elizabeth Gertrude Jones, and she died 1969 in Cheltenham where he also died 29th March 1957. There was one daughter.
d. Frances Mary Rosemary Becher was born 10th July 1903 at Oddington, Stow-on-the-Wold. She married Richard A. Ellis about whom nothing else is known in 1948 at Maldon, Essex. She died in 1972 at Eastbourne, East Sussex,
3. Stanley Oswald Becher was born 23rd September 1850 at Benares, India and was educated like his brother at Adelaide House School, Roussel Street, St Helier, Jersey. He was commissioned into the 2nd or South Devon Militia and was a Lieutenant by 13th March 1871 but resigned 13th June 1874. He married Ellen 'Nella' Cuthbert in 1887 at Tonbridge, Kent. She was born 8th July 1866 in Sevenoaks, Kent the daughter of William Cuthbert and Mary Ann Marchant. They lived for some years on Jersey where he died at La Houge on 31st October 1904. She died 6th March 1934 at Walton-on-the-Hill, Tolworth, Surrey.
4. Ada Louisa Henrietta Becher was born 7th February 1853 at Mussorie, India. By 1871 she was living with her mother in Cheltenham and by 1881 she was living at 56 Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent and by 1901 at Little Berkhampstead, Herts. In 1915 she was appointed Companion of the Grand Star (1st Grade) of the Primrose League; she was then of St George’s, Hanover Square, London. She died 5th November 1942 aged 89 at The Rise, Rothley, Leicestershire.
5. Florence Frances Becher was born in 1855 at sea in the Indian Ocean while sailing from India with her parents on their way to England. She died on 23rd September 1862 on Jersey aged 7 years 5 months.
6. Welwood George Christie Becher was born 14th July 1856 at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He died 17th January 1857 at Cheltenham. He was buried at St Peters, Leckhampton, Gloucestershire where his grave is inscribed: Sacred to the memory of / Welwood George Christie, who died at Cheltenham, / on the 17th of January 1857 aged 6 months and 3 days. / 3rd and beloved son of Lt Col Charles Grant Becher,/ (of the Bengal Cavalry) / and of his wife Henrietta Macdonald. ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; / For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always / behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew XVIII.10.
He was commissioned into the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 11th November 1914 and became Aide-de-Camp to Commander, Humber Garrison August 1915 to April 1916. He was seconded to the Air Ministry from May 1918 to March 1919. He served in France from 1916-18 and in Italy from 1917-18. He took part in operations in Iraq 1919 – 1920 and then in Mesopotamia in 1920. He retired in 1921.
He was awarded the Military Cross with Bar in March 1918, pictured left. The citation in the London Gazette reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For five days he held a most difficult position with his company under continuous and heavy fire. Though buried by a shell on the first day, he remained at duty, moving up and down the line, encouraging his men, under heavy fire. As a result of his efforts the line was strongly consolidated and a continuous trench was dug. Throughout the operations he set a magnificent example to all ranks.
He married Amy Phyllis Noel Brown 8th August 1925 at St James', Cheltenham. She was born 25th December 1900 the daughter of Alexander Brown and Amy Elizabeth Gertrude Jones, and she died 1969 in Cheltenham where he also died 29th March 1957. There was one daughter.
d. Frances Mary Rosemary Becher was born 10th July 1903 at Oddington, Stow-on-the-Wold. She married Richard A. Ellis about whom nothing else is known in 1948 at Maldon, Essex. She died in 1972 at Eastbourne, East Sussex,
3. Stanley Oswald Becher was born 23rd September 1850 at Benares, India and was educated like his brother at Adelaide House School, Roussel Street, St Helier, Jersey. He was commissioned into the 2nd or South Devon Militia and was a Lieutenant by 13th March 1871 but resigned 13th June 1874. He married Ellen 'Nella' Cuthbert in 1887 at Tonbridge, Kent. She was born 8th July 1866 in Sevenoaks, Kent the daughter of William Cuthbert and Mary Ann Marchant. They lived for some years on Jersey where he died at La Houge on 31st October 1904. She died 6th March 1934 at Walton-on-the-Hill, Tolworth, Surrey.
4. Ada Louisa Henrietta Becher was born 7th February 1853 at Mussorie, India. By 1871 she was living with her mother in Cheltenham and by 1881 she was living at 56 Cheriton Road, Folkestone, Kent and by 1901 at Little Berkhampstead, Herts. In 1915 she was appointed Companion of the Grand Star (1st Grade) of the Primrose League; she was then of St George’s, Hanover Square, London. She died 5th November 1942 aged 89 at The Rise, Rothley, Leicestershire.
5. Florence Frances Becher was born in 1855 at sea in the Indian Ocean while sailing from India with her parents on their way to England. She died on 23rd September 1862 on Jersey aged 7 years 5 months.
6. Welwood George Christie Becher was born 14th July 1856 at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He died 17th January 1857 at Cheltenham. He was buried at St Peters, Leckhampton, Gloucestershire where his grave is inscribed: Sacred to the memory of / Welwood George Christie, who died at Cheltenham, / on the 17th of January 1857 aged 6 months and 3 days. / 3rd and beloved son of Lt Col Charles Grant Becher,/ (of the Bengal Cavalry) / and of his wife Henrietta Macdonald. ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; / For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always / behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew XVIII.10.