Eric Thomas Beckwith - b 20th Jan 1891, died 1st Nov 1958. Eric was responsible for much of the early family history research work with Goldsmiths and, in a letter to them dated Feb 1951 he says that he had recently retired from "the executive establishment of the War Office". Address quoted was 'Crantock', 47 Grimsdyke Crescent, Barnet and the family remained there until Winnie's death in 1986 ... but why the Cornish house name ? In a letter written by Nancy in Jan 1950 she mentions 'an easier job' for Eric as 'an Architect in the War Office'.

Married on 22nd June 1922 Winifred Gladys DEXTER b 10th Sep 1897, d 11th May 1986.

They had 3 children - Una, Roger & Lorna - See 11-10.1 for details

Ailsa Gertrude Beckwith  - b 7th Sep 1897, died 18th July 1966

Married in Edmonton, Middx, on 6th Sep 1919 Frank BUTLER, b 9th March 1883, died 7th April 1959

"A self-effacing and gentle personality, Ailsa was a devoted wife and mother. Although very frail in health, she always thought of others before herself and liked people, keeping in close touch with many friends and relatives as well as helping an assortment of "lame ducks". She was keenly interested in international affairs, strongly supporting the United Nations, peace movements and organisations for alleviating world poverty. Musically talented, she played the piano well and, in youth, the violin. The whole family were closely connected with Park Chapel Congregational Church in Crouch End, where she met her husband." (Margery Pears). Her last years were spent at Whetstone (near Barnet), Herts

"Frank was educated at Tollington Park School, London N, where his father was headmaster. Following medical training at Charing Cross Hospital, he became a dental surgeon with a practice in the City which he ran for nearly 50 years, broken only by First World War service in the Middle East as a Medical Officer. A clever and artistic man of great originality and many parts. Extremely musical, he played the piano well and the trumpet to professional standard. Amongst his many interests were archaeology and history; he was an expert on English church architecture and church towers. Upon retirement he painted reproductions of old English church stained-glass windows, most of which are now held by the National Buildings Record for the benefit of students of stained-glass." (Margery Pears). 

Writing in Nov 1945 about the effects of WW2 on various members of the family, Nancy says "Ailsa had her home blasted and her husband's surgery in Finsbury Square was destroyed. All his valuable instruments and equipment were destroyed. The dental chair cost over £200"

They had 3 children - Margery, Sheila & Michael - See 11-10.2 for details

Silvia Jessie Frances  Beckwith - b 8th Nov 1900, died 27th Sep 1961

Married c1923 John Edward GABRIEL, b 1st Dec 1896, died 29th May 1960.

"A singer (and singing teacher) with a fine soprano voice, Silvia mainly sang as soloist in major oritorios (notably the Messiah, Elijah and Merrie England) in North London churches and concert halls. She broadcast several radio recitals (9 o'clock Home Service mainly) both before and after the 1939-45 war whilst, during the war, she toured with ENSA entertaining hospital patients. Her premature death was attributable to a combination of a decline in singing engagements and the then recent deaths of both her husband and elder son.

John, known to most people (except his mother!) as 'Jack', was a keen horseman and served during the 1914-18 war in the 16th Lancers. His very varied career included periods in furniture sales, property management, entertainment (serving with ENSA during the 1939-45 war and later being part-owner of a concert party), printer, gardener, and chauffer. At the time of his death he was a manufacturers' agent for a hardware company." (Desmond Gabriel (JDG))

Family home was latterly in Mill Hill, N London. They had 2 children - Alan and John Desmond - See 11-10.3 for details

Jack & Silvia Gabriel with Alan & John Desmond in 1933
(Thanks to Thelma and Michael Miller)

Offspring of Eric Thomas Beckwith & Winifred Gladys Dexter (10.1)

11.1

Una Beckwith  - born 10th Sep 1925, died 24th July 1985 in Barnet, Herts. 

In a letter written by Nancy in 1945 she says Una "has gained a Science Scholarship at London University and is now at King's College".

Roger Thomas Beckwith - born 21st July 1929. Became an Anglican priest (officiating at Nancy's funeral near Worthing in 1956), latterly in Oxford. 

Married on 6th December 1958 Janette PULLIN, b 24th June 1939

Their 4 children are Johnathan Thomas, Paul, Simon Matthew and Sarah - See 12-11.2

11.3

Lorna  Beckwith - born 4th Feb 1931. Lived in Borehamwood (Herts) before moving in late 1980's to Abingdon, Berks where she died in 22nd June 2009.

On 1st Sep 1979, married William KELLAM, b 16th Nov 1905, died 1992

Offspring of Ailsa Gertrude Beckwith & Frank Butler (10.2)

Margery Butler - b 16th Oct 1920. "Educated at Seager House boarding school, Hayling Island. In Womens Land Army during WW2. Afterwards trained as a full-time youth leader and did youth work in London for some years then went back to secretarial and administrative work, mainly in social welfare and, finally, at Kent Music School in Maidstone. Interested in all the arts, particularly music." (Margery's own words). Since being widowed, she has travelled quite extensively with sister Sheila and currently lives near Ashford, Kent. 

On 6th May 1944, married Andrew PEARS, b 13th Oct 1911, died 10th Jan 1975. "The youngest son of Charles Pears, the marine painter, who was the first president of the Society of Marine Artists. Andrew's working life was much handicapped by frail health, but he had a great love of writing reading and music." (Margery Pears)

Dorothy Sheila Butler ('Sheila') - b 26th Sep 1921. "Educated at Tollington High School. Drama training at Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art - acted in repertory for some years. Then trained as a teacher of mentally handicapped and Montessori training - taught children at first then transferred to the Adult Centre for the Handicapped in Barnet, Herts. Interested in all the arts, particularly alternative healing therapy and, until her move to Kent, she was a member of the Healing Group in Hendon." (Margery Pears)

Michael Butler - b 21st Jan 1924. "Educated at Tollington School and Bishops Stortford College. Medical training at St Mary's Hospital, London." Following the family move to Broadstairs in the late 1950's, was "Consultant General Surgeon at Thanet District Hospital for 30 years and much respected for his skill, kindness and dedication. Keen on all sports, particularly sailing and skiing as well as gardening and music - became chairman of Thanet Festival Choir." (Margery Pears)

On 31st May 1947 married Marjorie PARSONS, b 2nd March 1921, whose family originates from Port Isaac in Cornwall (where they also now have a base). "A State Registered Nurse, she was Michael's Theatre Sister. A very outgoing and sociable personality with many interests including serving as a JP at Ramsgate Magistrates Court. Keen on sports and very musical with a good singing voice - member of Thanet Festival Choir and Ramsgate Operatic Society where she sang a number of solo parts." (Margery Pears)

Their two children are Christopher & Nigel - for details see 12-11.13

Offspring of Jack & Silvia Gabriel (10.3)
(Silvia Jessie Frances Beckwith & John Edward Gabriel)  

Alan Gabriel - born 1st June 1927, died 10th Jan 1957 in Mill Hill, N London.

"He developed a keen interest in acting and the theatre at an early age, joining the Italia Conti Stage School and taking part in many productions of their traditional show 'When the Rainbow Ends'. He too toured with ENSA towards the end of the war, working with Donald Wolfitt (RSC) and in 'Thunder Rock' with Noel Johnson (later the BBC's 'Dick Barton - special agent'). When 'resting' he worked in shoe retailing then, in his mid-twenties, he moved into retail management. A keen churchman and Sunday School teacher, he was engaged to marry a fellow teacher at the time of his sudden death from polio." (JDG)

John Desmond Gabriel ('Desmond') - born 28th May 1929. Died 1991.

On 30th March 1963 in Orpington, Kent, married Thelma Patricia WILSON, b 8th Dec 1937.

"Desmond inherited his mother's love of music and singing talent. In 1938 he became a chorister at Westminster Abbey then, when that choir was disbanded due to the war, transferred to the choir of New College Oxford in which he sang as a treble solo during the regularly broadcast Choral Evensong. After leaving Magdalen College School (1943-1948), where he was latterly Head Boy, he was commissioned in the RAEC on National Service. In 1949 he won a scholarship to Magdalen College, Oxford. 

Following three years as a preparatory school teacher (1952-1955) and a flirtation with the professional theatre in musical comedy and pantomime, he began a 25 year career in 1961 with the London County Council's Education dept (latterly the ILEA) as a Youth Employment Officer/Careers Officer.

After Bromley Girls Grammar School (where she was head girl), Thelma trained then worked as an SRN at Guy's Hospital until marriage in 1963. Her recurring back trouble required major surgery in the early 1970's but she continued for a while to play an active part in church life (as a Sunday School Supt and committee chairman) as well as work voluntarily for Beckenham Citizens' Advice Bureau until precluded by the progressive worsening of her back condition" (JDG)

The couple had three children - Alison and twins John & Richard (see 12-11.22 for details) - and spent their married life in the Bromley/Beckenham area of West Kent. Thelma has since re-married (Michael MILLER) and more recently moved to Seaford in Sussex.

Generation 12

Offspring of Roger Thomas Beckwith & Janette Pullin (11.2)

Jonathan Thomas Beckwith  - born 28th March 1961. 

On March 22nd 1997, he married Jane BEADLE and they have two children - Joseph Thomas b1998 and Luke Anthony b2000

Paul  Beckwith - b 12th March 1963. Lives in Winslow Bucks.

On 18th April 1987, he married Susan Jane CROSSGROVE, an opthalmic optician. They have three children - Thomas Mark, b 9th April 1991, Katherine Lucy, b1993 and Emily Clare, b 18th Jan 1995.

Simon Matthew Beckwith  - b 21st Sep 1965. Obtained a degree in Law thence, c1990, his Masters degree.

He married Julie THOMPSON. 

Sarah Beckwith  - b 31st Dec 1967. She trained as a nurse in Brighton (see item under Nancy Beckwith in Tree 2 notes) and became a fully-fledged staff nurse in 1991.

She married Stephen JONES and they have two children - Maisie Elizabeth b1994 and Eleanor Catherine, born in Brighton on 6th September 1996

Offspring of Michael Butler and Marjorie Parsons (11.13)

Christopher Michael Butler - born 13th July 1952. Educated at St Lawrence College in Ramsgate then medical training at Westminster Hospital, he followed his father into surgery and achieved Master of Surgery in 1985. In 1987 described as "Surgical Registrar, South West Thames Region. A good brain with wide general knowledge. Particular interests - sailing, skiing and steam trains" (Margery Pears). Is now (2007) consultant surgeon at the Medway Hospital (Michael Butler).

On 15th May 1976, married Hilary BADGER, born 12th August 1952. "Trained in Nursery Nursing, excellent at all home crafts" (MP)

They have two children - 

- Anna Butler (b 2nd Feb 1980) - She works on the Admin side at the Royal Berks Hospital
in Reading and lives with her partner in Didcot (MB)

- James Butler (b 2nd Oct 1984) - "just completing a design engineering course at Loughborough University" (MB-2007).

Nigel Butler - born 10th June 1956. Also educated at St Lawrence College in Ramsgate followed by medical training at Westminster Hospital, he too entered the medical profession becoming a GP in Essex. "Interests - all sports particularly sailing: took part in the 1976 Transatlantic Tall Ships Race. He is also musical, playing the piano, organ and cello." (MP). Is currently a G.P. in Doddinghurst, Nr Brentwood, Essex (MB-2007)

On 12th July 1980, married Julia O'KELLY, born 18th April 1957. "A State Registered Nurse and Midwife. Lively and adventurous - good at all sports". (MP)

They have five children : 

- Katherine Butler (b 21st Sep 1982) - "gained an English degree at Southampton Uni. and has had a variety of jobs since then." (MB-2007)

- Daniel Butler (b 24th Feb 1984) - is a fifth year medical student at University College Hospital. (MB-2007)

- Amanda Butler (b.3rd Jan 1987) - is doing a Psychology course at London City University.

- Jonathan Butler (b.2nd Oct.1989) - is still at school

- Stephen, (b.9th July 1992).- ditto (MB-2007)

Offspring of John Desmond Gabriel and Thelma Wilson (11.22)

Alison Frances Gabriel - b 24th March 1964

"Continued the family's musical tradition by showing early competence as a violinist, winning a Junior Exhibition at the Royal College of Music and becoming a leading violinist with Bromley Schools Symphony Orchestra. Following school and initial training as an SRN at Guy's, she is currently training in social work as part of a Social Sciences degree course at Middlesex Poly." (JDG - 1987)

John Gabriel - b 24th Nov 1966 (twins)

"Became head boy at Ravensbourne School for Boys - now studying for B.Sc in Management and Administration Studies at Aston." (JDG - 1987)

Richard Gabriel -  b 24th Nov 1966 (twins)

"Became a prefect at the same school as his twin brother - now studying for B.Sc in Management Sciences at Warwick" (JDG - 1987)

In 2003, married Fiona GIBBONS (b1969) and they have one child, Kyle Aidan John (b 6th August 2006)