It’s taken a long time, but one happy recipient of the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours was 98-year-old Harry Beckhough, who is believed to be the oldest active member of the Conservative Party.
More than that he has had an illustrious career as a Bletchley Park code-breaker during World War II and was singled out by David Cameron at the Tory Party conference in 2010 for his devoted party service since the age of 15.
Not only was he taken to lunch by the Prime Minister and Devizes MP Claire Perry on that occasion but sat “completely shocked” in the conference auditorium when Mr Cameron singled him for praise in front of the TV cameras.
“I tell you something,” Mr Cameron told delegates. “This is a party for all generations. Harry, without people like you we would not be here and our party would not be in government.”
Now he Harry, a Marlborough resident for the past 16 years, who lives at Castle Court retirement home, has a gong to add to his memories – even if it has been a long time coming.
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