John Reid Becher (1819-1884)
and Harriet Louisa Ann Becher (1824-1903)
General John Reid Becher C.B. the 8th child of George Becher and Harriet Geldart nee Barclay, was born 3th July 1819 at sea in the English Channel and baptized 25th July. He was brought up by John Becher, his uncle, at Chancellor's House, Tunbridge Wells, the old house on the common once inhabited by Judge Jeffreys. He was partly educated at Bruce Castle School, one of its founders was Sir Rowland Hill, who founded the modern post office, and was his headmaster while he was a pupil.
Henry Yule, a fellow Cadet at Chatham (later Colonel Sir Henry Yule, K.C.S.I., C.B., LL.D., R.E) later recalled that: 'He was from boyhood one of the most winning of mankind. He was an accomplished amateur artist; but he had gifts far more rare. Even as a Cadet at Addiscombe, and as a local and temporary Ensign there was in him a gaiety, a brilliancy, a play of fancy in his conversation, which attracted men and women equally, and which in combination with his bright, chivalrous aspect, his open blue eyes, and silken hair of ruddy gold, have left on me an impression of Becher as he was in youth, absolutely unique in its kind; whilst the charm of his society and his sweet nature only grew with time, and the old impression constantly recurred during our too rare meetings in his later years.'
He entered Addiscombe Military Seminary in February 1836 and was one of 65 cadets that year, the largest intake ever up to that time. He passed out in December 1837 aged eighteen and the prizes, recommended by the Public Examiner and the Lieutenant Governor were presented to him by the Chairman, Sir James Rivett-Carnac, in order of merit: 1st Mathematical; 2nd Fortification, Military Drawing, Civil Drawing, Latin; 1st Hindustani.
He was also presented with the Sword for general good conduct by Sir James who stated: 'Mr Becher, the Court of Directors have thought fit to appropriate this sword as the reward of general good conduct, and the Lieutenant Governor has reported that you are entitled to receive it. The gratification I feel in placing it in your hands is, I am persuaded, not inferior to that which you derive from having established your claim to it. The sword, Sir, is the emblem of the soldier's profession, and whenever you shall be called upon to use it, the circumstances under which it became yours will, I am satisfied, not fail to ensure its being used honourably.'
Henry Yule, a fellow Cadet at Chatham (later Colonel Sir Henry Yule, K.C.S.I., C.B., LL.D., R.E) later recalled that: 'He was from boyhood one of the most winning of mankind. He was an accomplished amateur artist; but he had gifts far more rare. Even as a Cadet at Addiscombe, and as a local and temporary Ensign there was in him a gaiety, a brilliancy, a play of fancy in his conversation, which attracted men and women equally, and which in combination with his bright, chivalrous aspect, his open blue eyes, and silken hair of ruddy gold, have left on me an impression of Becher as he was in youth, absolutely unique in its kind; whilst the charm of his society and his sweet nature only grew with time, and the old impression constantly recurred during our too rare meetings in his later years.'
He entered Addiscombe Military Seminary in February 1836 and was one of 65 cadets that year, the largest intake ever up to that time. He passed out in December 1837 aged eighteen and the prizes, recommended by the Public Examiner and the Lieutenant Governor were presented to him by the Chairman, Sir James Rivett-Carnac, in order of merit: 1st Mathematical; 2nd Fortification, Military Drawing, Civil Drawing, Latin; 1st Hindustani.
He was also presented with the Sword for general good conduct by Sir James who stated: 'Mr Becher, the Court of Directors have thought fit to appropriate this sword as the reward of general good conduct, and the Lieutenant Governor has reported that you are entitled to receive it. The gratification I feel in placing it in your hands is, I am persuaded, not inferior to that which you derive from having established your claim to it. The sword, Sir, is the emblem of the soldier's profession, and whenever you shall be called upon to use it, the circumstances under which it became yours will, I am satisfied, not fail to ensure its being used honourably.'
This sword was presented to the National Army Museum in 1957 and is described by them as a Pattern 1822 Light Cavalry Officer, Presentation sword; blade is pipe backed and etched with the maker's name, E and W Bond, and the dedication to Cadet John Reid Becher from the Court of Directors of the East India Company for his good conduct at their military seminary; two bar hilt; grip covered in fish skin and bound with brass wire; steel scabbard.
He obtained his commission on 11th December 1837 when he passed out of Addiscombe and was given the rank of Ensign and placed under the command of Colonel Pasley, RE, at Chatham for field instruction in the art of sapping and mining.
When leaving for India, a fresh-faced boy, he remarked to a young companion 'You will hear of me one of these days left slain on the field of glory.' He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 6th March 1838 and arrived in India on the 7th October 1839 and joined the Bengal Engineers.
His other commissions were: Lieutenant - 3rd April 1842; Brevet Capt - 6th March 1853; Captain - 1st August 1854; Brevet Major-2nd August 1854; Lieutenant Colonel - 18th February 1861; Colonel - 13th October 1863; General Officer - 29th November 1878.
27th August 1841: appointed Adjutant of the Sappers and was shortly afterwards ordered to command a detachment proceeding to Ferozepore.
25th January 1842: he received the thanks of Lt. Col. Moseley and that from Ali Masjid for his able assistance.
11th May 1842: appointed to officiate as Field Engineer with Sir George Pollock's force, and was present in his advance into the Khyber, when Pollock (Becher's uncle by marriage) brought to notice: '…the very essential services rendered by Lt Becher, Field Engineer, of clearing the Pass of impediments constructed by the enemy, which he did with a degree of celerity, notwithstanding their strength and difficulty of removal, that elicited his warmest satisfaction.' A Despatch of 22nd June 1842 stated: 'He accompanied Brigadier T.M. Douglas and was instrumental in destroying 25 forts.'
26th July 1843: he was engaged in the attack on the enemy in the Shinwarrie Valley and the Brigadier reported: 'My thanks are particularly due to Lt Becher for the zealous and satisfactory manner in which he, with his detachment of Sappers, constructed a road for the guns, and fired the enemy's forts in the valley.'
He commanded Sappers at the dislodgement of the enemy from Mamoo Khail and Koochee Khail, when his name was favourably mentioned by Pollock in his Despatch of 25th Aug 1842. He was also thanked for his services in the storming of the Heights of Jugdulluck in the action at Tezeen. On 24th June 1843 he was employed in the superintendence of buildings at Loodianah, and Major Abbott reported: 'I can bear testimony to Lt Becher's talents being of a high order, and to his zeal which has often been distinguished.'
After being employed for a few years with the Department of Public Works he was called to active service and arrived with his friend Major James Abbott at Head Quarters before the battle of Sobraon, and on the 10th February 1846, was employed with Captain Baker in conducting the leading attack by Sir Robert Dick's Division. A serious check occurred, and while Becher with others was rallying the troops he received a severe wound from a bullet in the left cheek and mouth. On this occasion he was honorably mentioned in the C-in-C's Despatch, and in the General Orders Lord Hardinge wrote: 'To Captain Baker and Lt Becher of the Engineers and the Governor General's acknowledgements are due for leading the division of attack into the enemy's camp. These officers well maintain the reputation of their corps whenever gallantry and science may be required of it.'
After the war was over, Becher was employed in a Revenue Survey in the Jullunder Doab, which had just been annexed. He was then sent on Special Duty as Commissioner for the Adjustment of the boundaries between Bhawulpore and Bikaneer and Jessulmere.
During the 2nd Sikh War (1848-49) he was still engaged on the Rajputana boundary question, but on his return to the Punjab, after the annexation in 1849, he was employed for two or three years under Sir Henry Lawrence, when he was engaged in reporting on the Jaghirs, and other rent-free holdings of the Native Chiefs. In 1852, after finishing his work at Lahore, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner at Batala, west of Amritsar – but at the end of 1853, he received charge of Hazara, where he succeeded James Abbott. This position he held for six years.
During Abbott's administration, Hazara had passed from desolation to a smiling prosperity, and Herbert Edwardes wrote of Becher: 'John Becher is James Abbott's successor, and is to Hazara all that Abbott was.'
**In January 1853 Abbottabad, now in N.E. Pakistan, was founded and named after Major James Abbott and it was in this town that Osama Bin Laden was killed by special forces in May 2011.
He was in Hazara during the Mutiny of 1857. He gathered the principal men of his district around him, assured them of his reliance on their loyalty, and endeavoured to dispel the alarming rumours which would be sure to come among them. The chief danger to the district proved to be from the mutineers escaping from Peshawar, who broke away from the north into Swat, and thence across the Indus into Hazara, necessarily avoiding the high road by Attock and Rawalpindi. A large body of the 55th N.I. especially took this line, but his plans had been effectually laid beforehand. He obtained his recommendation from those under whom he served, and when honours came to be distributed, a Brevet promotion and a Civil C.B. fell to his lot.
In 1858 he was employed in an expedition under Sir Sydney Cotton, against Mohammedan fanatics in the Yusufzai country – north of Peshawar and west of the Indus, opposite Hazara. The expedition was very successful and Sir S. Cotton noted in his dispatch his admirable conduct and that of his troops (consisting of two 12-pound Howitzers, one 3-lb mountain gun, 300 Sikhs and 750 Punjab Infantry) and highly commended him for 'the disposition of his troops, proving he was as good with the sword as with the pen.'
In the spring of 1860, he was at home in England on furlough, but returned in 1862 when he was appointed Commissioner of the Derajat. Here he worked very hard – but the work was not congenial – he felt it 'a constant treadmill, and no time to see the people.'
In 1864 he went on a very short leave to Simla to visit Sir John Lawrence, then Viceroy, and his family. A vacancy having occurred in the Commissionership of Peshawar, through the death of Col James Abbott, he was sent to succeed him. Here he carried out his onerous duties for two years, when 'his health broke down utterly, and he had to quit the scene of his duties for ever.'
In the spring of 1866 he accompanied, as Commissioner, a force under Brigadier H.F. Dunsford, CB, to coerce certain villages on the north Yusuzai border. The objects of the expedition were obtained without conflict. His successor wrote of him: 'Of all the prominent Punjab officials, there was certainly none more loved and respected than Becher.'
He never recovered his health after he returned from India in an apparently dying state. Brighton was his favourite resort, and he only left it for Southampton to be temporarily near his greatest friend General Sir Neville Chamberlain. He was brought through several serious illnesses by the persevering care of his brothers (Generals Sir Arthur Mitford, Septimus Harding and Colonel Decimus William Becher) the last of which caused seven weeks of intense suffering until the end came on 9th July 1884 at 17 Queen's Terrace, Southampton though he had been staying at Garland's Hotel off Haymarket, London. He was buried at Southampton.
The following year The Times of India reported that: 'A handsome clock with a set of chimes has been sent to Abbottabad by Gen A. (Arthur Mitford) Becher who wishes it to be set up in the district courthouse as a memorial to his late brother Gen John (Reid) Becher CB RE who was Deputy Commissioner of the Hazara District from Oct 1853–April 1859 and whose name is still affectionately remembered in the district.'
* * *
HARRIET LOUISA ANN BECHER, the 10th child of George Becher and Harriet Geldart nee Barclay, was born 11th September 1824 in Bengal. Nothing is known of her early life. She married John Ross Hutchinson, a Magistrate and Collector in the HEICS. Prior to the 1857 Mutiny he had sent his wife and children to the provinces for safety and they survived. He died at Delhi on 11th May that year when trying to reason with mutineers coming from Meerut. At the 1891 Census she is living at 6 Lansdown Place, Clifton, Bristol. She later moved to Ilfracombe where she died on 26th February 1903 and was buried at St Peter’s, Berrynabor, North Devon. There were six children.
He obtained his commission on 11th December 1837 when he passed out of Addiscombe and was given the rank of Ensign and placed under the command of Colonel Pasley, RE, at Chatham for field instruction in the art of sapping and mining.
When leaving for India, a fresh-faced boy, he remarked to a young companion 'You will hear of me one of these days left slain on the field of glory.' He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 6th March 1838 and arrived in India on the 7th October 1839 and joined the Bengal Engineers.
His other commissions were: Lieutenant - 3rd April 1842; Brevet Capt - 6th March 1853; Captain - 1st August 1854; Brevet Major-2nd August 1854; Lieutenant Colonel - 18th February 1861; Colonel - 13th October 1863; General Officer - 29th November 1878.
27th August 1841: appointed Adjutant of the Sappers and was shortly afterwards ordered to command a detachment proceeding to Ferozepore.
25th January 1842: he received the thanks of Lt. Col. Moseley and that from Ali Masjid for his able assistance.
11th May 1842: appointed to officiate as Field Engineer with Sir George Pollock's force, and was present in his advance into the Khyber, when Pollock (Becher's uncle by marriage) brought to notice: '…the very essential services rendered by Lt Becher, Field Engineer, of clearing the Pass of impediments constructed by the enemy, which he did with a degree of celerity, notwithstanding their strength and difficulty of removal, that elicited his warmest satisfaction.' A Despatch of 22nd June 1842 stated: 'He accompanied Brigadier T.M. Douglas and was instrumental in destroying 25 forts.'
26th July 1843: he was engaged in the attack on the enemy in the Shinwarrie Valley and the Brigadier reported: 'My thanks are particularly due to Lt Becher for the zealous and satisfactory manner in which he, with his detachment of Sappers, constructed a road for the guns, and fired the enemy's forts in the valley.'
He commanded Sappers at the dislodgement of the enemy from Mamoo Khail and Koochee Khail, when his name was favourably mentioned by Pollock in his Despatch of 25th Aug 1842. He was also thanked for his services in the storming of the Heights of Jugdulluck in the action at Tezeen. On 24th June 1843 he was employed in the superintendence of buildings at Loodianah, and Major Abbott reported: 'I can bear testimony to Lt Becher's talents being of a high order, and to his zeal which has often been distinguished.'
After being employed for a few years with the Department of Public Works he was called to active service and arrived with his friend Major James Abbott at Head Quarters before the battle of Sobraon, and on the 10th February 1846, was employed with Captain Baker in conducting the leading attack by Sir Robert Dick's Division. A serious check occurred, and while Becher with others was rallying the troops he received a severe wound from a bullet in the left cheek and mouth. On this occasion he was honorably mentioned in the C-in-C's Despatch, and in the General Orders Lord Hardinge wrote: 'To Captain Baker and Lt Becher of the Engineers and the Governor General's acknowledgements are due for leading the division of attack into the enemy's camp. These officers well maintain the reputation of their corps whenever gallantry and science may be required of it.'
After the war was over, Becher was employed in a Revenue Survey in the Jullunder Doab, which had just been annexed. He was then sent on Special Duty as Commissioner for the Adjustment of the boundaries between Bhawulpore and Bikaneer and Jessulmere.
During the 2nd Sikh War (1848-49) he was still engaged on the Rajputana boundary question, but on his return to the Punjab, after the annexation in 1849, he was employed for two or three years under Sir Henry Lawrence, when he was engaged in reporting on the Jaghirs, and other rent-free holdings of the Native Chiefs. In 1852, after finishing his work at Lahore, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner at Batala, west of Amritsar – but at the end of 1853, he received charge of Hazara, where he succeeded James Abbott. This position he held for six years.
During Abbott's administration, Hazara had passed from desolation to a smiling prosperity, and Herbert Edwardes wrote of Becher: 'John Becher is James Abbott's successor, and is to Hazara all that Abbott was.'
**In January 1853 Abbottabad, now in N.E. Pakistan, was founded and named after Major James Abbott and it was in this town that Osama Bin Laden was killed by special forces in May 2011.
He was in Hazara during the Mutiny of 1857. He gathered the principal men of his district around him, assured them of his reliance on their loyalty, and endeavoured to dispel the alarming rumours which would be sure to come among them. The chief danger to the district proved to be from the mutineers escaping from Peshawar, who broke away from the north into Swat, and thence across the Indus into Hazara, necessarily avoiding the high road by Attock and Rawalpindi. A large body of the 55th N.I. especially took this line, but his plans had been effectually laid beforehand. He obtained his recommendation from those under whom he served, and when honours came to be distributed, a Brevet promotion and a Civil C.B. fell to his lot.
In 1858 he was employed in an expedition under Sir Sydney Cotton, against Mohammedan fanatics in the Yusufzai country – north of Peshawar and west of the Indus, opposite Hazara. The expedition was very successful and Sir S. Cotton noted in his dispatch his admirable conduct and that of his troops (consisting of two 12-pound Howitzers, one 3-lb mountain gun, 300 Sikhs and 750 Punjab Infantry) and highly commended him for 'the disposition of his troops, proving he was as good with the sword as with the pen.'
In the spring of 1860, he was at home in England on furlough, but returned in 1862 when he was appointed Commissioner of the Derajat. Here he worked very hard – but the work was not congenial – he felt it 'a constant treadmill, and no time to see the people.'
In 1864 he went on a very short leave to Simla to visit Sir John Lawrence, then Viceroy, and his family. A vacancy having occurred in the Commissionership of Peshawar, through the death of Col James Abbott, he was sent to succeed him. Here he carried out his onerous duties for two years, when 'his health broke down utterly, and he had to quit the scene of his duties for ever.'
In the spring of 1866 he accompanied, as Commissioner, a force under Brigadier H.F. Dunsford, CB, to coerce certain villages on the north Yusuzai border. The objects of the expedition were obtained without conflict. His successor wrote of him: 'Of all the prominent Punjab officials, there was certainly none more loved and respected than Becher.'
He never recovered his health after he returned from India in an apparently dying state. Brighton was his favourite resort, and he only left it for Southampton to be temporarily near his greatest friend General Sir Neville Chamberlain. He was brought through several serious illnesses by the persevering care of his brothers (Generals Sir Arthur Mitford, Septimus Harding and Colonel Decimus William Becher) the last of which caused seven weeks of intense suffering until the end came on 9th July 1884 at 17 Queen's Terrace, Southampton though he had been staying at Garland's Hotel off Haymarket, London. He was buried at Southampton.
The following year The Times of India reported that: 'A handsome clock with a set of chimes has been sent to Abbottabad by Gen A. (Arthur Mitford) Becher who wishes it to be set up in the district courthouse as a memorial to his late brother Gen John (Reid) Becher CB RE who was Deputy Commissioner of the Hazara District from Oct 1853–April 1859 and whose name is still affectionately remembered in the district.'
* * *
HARRIET LOUISA ANN BECHER, the 10th child of George Becher and Harriet Geldart nee Barclay, was born 11th September 1824 in Bengal. Nothing is known of her early life. She married John Ross Hutchinson, a Magistrate and Collector in the HEICS. Prior to the 1857 Mutiny he had sent his wife and children to the provinces for safety and they survived. He died at Delhi on 11th May that year when trying to reason with mutineers coming from Meerut. At the 1891 Census she is living at 6 Lansdown Place, Clifton, Bristol. She later moved to Ilfracombe where she died on 26th February 1903 and was buried at St Peter’s, Berrynabor, North Devon. There were six children.