Decimus William Becher
(1828-1901)
Col. Decimus 'Decie' William Becher, the youngest child of George Becher and Harriet Geldart nee Barclay, and for whom no photograph appears to exist.
He was born 31st December 1828 in Belgravia and baptized 19th June 1829 at the Old Church, St Pancras, London. He was known as 'Decie' or 'Willie' in the family. He was educated at 39 Highbury Place, a school in Finsbury, Islington, run by Clergyman and Schoolmaster Henry Cole and his wife. He was first commissioned as an Ensign 27th July 1846 and went out to India the same day aboard the Monarch from Gravesend as an Infantry Cadet. He joined the 2nd European Regiment, which was then on field service, on 2nd July 1847.
His following appointments were: Lieutenant 15th November 1849 - 2nd European Fusiliers at Agra; Brevet-Captain - 27th July 1861; Captain - 1st January 1862 and on 29th January 1862 volunteered to transfer to the 104th Ft (Bengal Fusiliers); Major - 27th July 1866; Honorary Lt Col - 1870 and returned to England. Retired 5th July 1873.
He took part in the Punjab Campaign from 1848-1849 and was present at Ramnuggur and the Passage of the Chenab, the actions of Chillianwallah and Goojerat and the subsequent pursuit of the Sikhs and Afghans under Sir W. Gilbert for which he received the medal with 2 clasps. He served in the Indian Mutiny campaign and commanded a detachment of the 8th Irregular Cavalry during the repulse of the rebels from Huldwaine on 18th September 1857 for which he received the Medal and was mentioned in the Despatch of the action commander Major H. Maxwell.
On 25th April 1856 he was one of the Petitioners seeking to be admitted to the Astrea Lodge, part of the United Grand Lodge of England, at Theyetmyo Pegu, Bengal. On 21st April 1866 he was appointed interpreter to the 104th Ft there being no qualified interpreter available.
After returning to England he lived for a while at 83 Jermyn Street, St James', London but later moved to 29 Somerset Street, Portman Square. During his final years he lived at 3 Motcomb Street, Belgravia where he died unmarried on 18th August 1901. There is a memorial inscription to him on the side of his mother's gravestone in Smallcombe Cemetery, Bathwick, Bath. In his Will he left £300 to the National Refuge for Homeless and Destitute Children and wished it to be especially applied to the Boys' Brigade.