March 25, 2019 10.56 am This story is over 68 months old

Memorial bench planned for Beechey family

The bench will honour the “ultimate sacrifice” the family made
The eight Beechey brothers. From the top left: Leonard, Christopher, Eric, Samuel, Barnard, Charles, Frank and Harold.

A new memorial bench is being planned for Lincoln’s Arboretum to honour the sacrifice made by The Beechey Family.

The proposal by City of Lincoln Council would see the bench sit alongside a commemorative plaque for the family.

Eight boys from the family fought in the Great War, but only three returned home.

Plans were submitted in November 2018 to install a plaque on Arboretum Lodge, Monks Road, where the family used to enjoy many walks.

Now, city council officials said they plan to include a new memorial bench as part of the proposal.

The proposed plaque to honour The Beechey Family on Arboretum Lodge, Monks Road.

Designs have yet to be revealed by the council, but officers said the memorial is planned for the upper steps entering Coronation Gardens.

Meanwhile, the plaque is expected to be installed further up the steps onto the wall.

The story of the five brothers, Harold, Charles, Frank, Barnard and Leonard has been told and recognised around the world.

Location of new Beechey memorial bench and plaque. Picture: City of Lincoln Council.

The plaque and bench will honour the memory of the family who lived on nearby Avondale Street in the city.

Amy and Reverend Prince William Thomas Beechey lost 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

In 2017, a BBC Radio Lincolnshire project saw crosses crafted from Lincoln Cathedral limestone and placed at locations around the world to honour the five boys.

Ahead of the centenary of the end of the First World War, the crosses were sent to Europe, east Africa and Australia.

Amy Beechey’s grave in Newport Cemetery. Photo: Joe Cooke

A final cross was laid in the church of Friesthorpe where the family grew up.

Letters detailing the devastating toll on the family survive to this day and have been made into a play, The Last Post, which has been performed at the Drill Hall.

Petitions have also been set up to name a street in the city after the Beechey Boys.

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