November 13, 2017 1.57 pm This story is over 76 months old

Charity petition to name road after five Lincoln brothers killed in action during WWI

Amy and Reverend Prince William Thomas Beechey lost five sons in World War I.
The boys' mother's grave has been restored. Photo: Joe Cooke

Fundraisers behind the Lincoln Tank Memorial have launched a petition to have a street named after the Beechey family, who lost five sons to war in World War I.

Joe Cooke, who is part of Cooke/Connell Fundraisers, launched a petition on Facebook page You’re Probably From Lincoln If…, which has so far had 591 ‘likes’.

He has also contacted the City of Lincoln Council to have a street named after the Beecheys.

Amy and Reverend Prince William Thomas Beechey lost all five of their sons in World War I:

  • Sgt. Barnard Reeve Beechey, who died September 25, 1915
  • 2nd/LT. Frank Collett Reeve Beechey, who died November 14, 1916
  • L/CPl. Harold Reeve Beechey, who died April 10, 1917
  • PTE. Charles Reeve Beechey, who died October 20, 1917
  • RF/M Leonard Reeve Beechey, who died December 29, 1917

Amy’s grave at Newport Cemetery. Photo: Joe Cooke

Joe Cooke, 69, who lives in Waddington told The Lincolnite: “I first heard the story of the Beechey family 11 years ago. I read the book, Brothers in War by Michael Walsh and then I tracked Amy’s grave down to Newport cemetery in Lincoln.

“Cooke/Connell Fundraisers (a charity Joe helped set up) paid to have the grave restored and we had a piece of stone added to the grave which shows the names, regiment and dates all five of Amy’s sons died.

“As a result of that Cooke/Connell Fundraisers have been in touch with the family ever since.

“We also payed to have the boys’ father’s grave in Friesthorpe restored.

“Since then, we have contributed towards a stain glass window at Friesthorpe Church and a seat at Lincoln Cathedral.

“Every year I go up and place a wreath on Amy’s grave. This year, I posted an image of the grave on Your’e Probably from Lincoln If… and it attracted a lot of comments, one being that a street should be named after the family.

“So far, my post has had around 600 likes in support of this.

“I have now written to leader of the City of Lincoln Council and spoken to numerous councillors and so far we have been met with a very positive response but nothing has been set in stone.

“When King George V came to Lincoln and met Amy, he thanked her for making the ultimate sacrifice to help the country and it would but the icing on the cake for the people of Lincoln to remember what the Beechey family did.”

Cooke/Connell Fundraisers are also looking for the owners of 14 Avondale Street off Monks Road, as this is where the Beechey family lived. It is hoped a blue plaque can be put up at the home in remembrance.