Marlborough resident Harry Beckhough died on Sunday aged 101. He had been living in a Castle Court sheltered apartment.
He was a Colonel in the Intelligence Corps and a code-breaker at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. After the war he spent six years helping to resurrect German universities.
Back in Britain he set up a successful clothing company and founded a school in Yorkshire. Born in Bristol – where he had joined the Conservative Party – he moved to Marlborough to be near his daughter who lives nearby.
He was believed to be the oldest living member of the Conservative Party – joining in 1929 when he was 15.
In 2012 – aged 98 – he was made an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours. He celebrated his 100th birthday in February 2014 with a party at the Conservative Club in Marlborough High Street.
He attended the Conservative Party conference in 2010 and was singled out by David Cameron during his first speech to conference as Prime Minister: “…there are some very special people I’d like to thank: you, the people of this party. I can’t thank all of you individually – but I am going to single one of you out. His name is Harry Beckhough.”
“Harry joined our party in 1929 to fight Stafford Cripps. Since then, across 81 years and 21 elections, Harry has been with us. When Churchill warned of an iron curtain, Harry was with us.”
“When this country had never had it so good, Harry was with us. When a lady refused to turn, Harry was with us.”
“This year, when we fought the General Election, Harry – aged 96 – was there, manning the loud hailer on the battle bus in Marlborough. And I’m delighted to say, Harry is with us here today.”
“I tell you something – this is a party for all generations. Harry, without people like you we wouldn’t be here – and our party wouldn’t be in government. So thank you for everything you’ve done – and all you represent.”
Harry Beckhough was given a standing ovation.
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Friends pay tribute to Harry Mayor Marian Hannaford-Dobson has led the tributes paid to Harry following the news of his death. She told Marlborough News Online: “Over the eighteen years I have known Harry Beckhough he has proved time and time again what can be accomplished with a little thought and a great deal of planning. Nothing was too great a task for Harry, no goal too remote once he had set his mind on it. “Harry had a wonderful life. He served in the Eighth Army in Germany and India before becoming a code breaker during the war at Bletchley. After leaving the Army he was the founding partner in a very successful men’s clothing company called Atkinson Rhodes. He then went on to open a well-regarded prep school – Cundall Manor in Harrogate. “In everything he has done in his long and distinguished life he was always a “doer” – not expecting more of others than he was prepared to do himself. “Although well into his eighties when I first met him, Harry, as a committed Conservative, was no armchair politician. He liked to be where the action was, to take his politics onto the streets and onto the doorsteps. “He persuaded me to stand for election first to the local Town Council and then the District and County Council seats. He planned the campaigns, spent every day with me delivering leaflets and canvassing and then celebrated with me when I won the seats. “I will feel the loss of Harry. He was someone who did not know the meaning of “cannot be done”. He had the commitment and energy of a man half his age, as he demonstrated by becoming a successful author at the age of ninety. He was the very best role model that anybody could wish for and I feel very privileged to have been able to call him my friend.” On our Facebook page, Louisa Stompedissel recalled: “Harry went to the same school in Bristol as my grandfather, we realised one day in conversion. Harry gave me the gossip on Carrey Grant the actor who also went there. He said “he got expelled from school but they rolled out the red carpet when he came back to visit!”” Claire Court wrote: “Ah Harry Beckhough! What an incredible man,” while Ann Green wrote: “Ann Green Will miss you Harry, at the Jubilee centre,” and town councillor Lisa Farrell wrote: “Harry will be sadly missed in Marlborough.” Former Gazette & Herald reporter Nigel Kerton, who knew Harry well, has written an appreciation for Marlborough News Online. You can read it here. |
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