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A Son and a Daughter born at Lyme Regis Police Station
Lionel Howard Beck
On Tuesday 21 March 1899 Lionel Howard was born at Lyme Regis police station. Three days later he was baptised by Rev. William Jacob, the church register notes this was a private baptism. A private baptism suggests that Lionel was unwell and the baptism took place at the police station. Rebecca would have been 37 years old, which would have been considered old for a first baby.
Bridport News 31 March 1899 |
Despite a difficult start in life, Lionel continued to thrive. I believe this is a photograph of Lionel. It is on the first page of one of the 'best' albums and if you look careful at the photograph I showed at Christmas you will see this photograph on the piano.
Lionel Howard Beck C1899 |
Laura May Beck
Two years later May, my grandmother was born on Friday 10th May 1901 also at Lyme Regis police station.
Bridport News 24 May 1901 |
She was baptised Laura May on 14 July at St. Michael's church Lyme Regis by the same vicar who had baptised her brother. This photograph is most likely of Lionel and May, a watering can has featured in a photograph of Lionel before.
Lionel and May C1901 |
In an era that children were often named for relatives or Godparents, I can find no mention of the names chosen by Grandad Beck and Rebecca. May was most likely chosen for the month she was born in.
Family life
I wonder how much time Grandad Beck had to spend with his children when they were young. As a police constable, he would have often worked 15-20 hours a day without a break, seven days a week. If a prisoner needed to go to Dorchester goal then the constable would walk the nine miles to Bridport, catch a train to Dorchester, after handing the prisoner over, he would return the same way. Often with the prospect of going back on duty when he arrived back at Lyme Regis. Grandad Beck told the Bridport News, on his retirement, that he had done this duty a number of times during his time at Lyme Regis. As the family lived in the police station I think that Grandad Beck would have found it possible to at least see his wife and children for a few minutes in-between duties.
All original content by Sylvia Collins is copyright protected.
References
Bridport News: 31 March 1899 p8; 24 May 1901; 19 July 1935
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Is this the last post about Grandad Beck?
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Wish we still had a police presence in Lyme Regis. Fascinating blog, Sylvia!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Georgia. It was a fascinating blog to write. Before I started I knew very little of my families history, I was an adult when I first heard of Grandad Beck. Having so many photographs really helped. I have caught the writing bug and am now trying my hand at fiction.
ReplyDeleteYes, we miss the policeman of old. I remember when you used to ask a policeman the way to somewhere, now they are more likely to ask us. I think the constables of Grandad Beck's era were more like our PCOs. Times change, for good and bad.