Charles Hubert Beech was born on 4th September 1917 at 46, Ellesmere Street in Runcorn. He was the son of William Henry Beech and Nellie (nee Worrall). The father was an engine fitter, born in Bilston in Staffordshire and the mother was from Runcorn.
The 1921 Census recorded the family as living at 21, Sutherland Street in Runcorn. Charles Hubert (Charlie) had an older sister called Nora and two older brothers called John Leonard and William Henry. He also had a younger sister called Hilda. The father was now employed as a chemical fitter for Evans, Lescher and Webb in Gas Street in Runcorn. In 1922 another daughter was born who was named Nellie Jane.
Charlie’s father died in 1927 at the age of 41 years.
In 1939 the Register of England and Wales recorded the family as still living at 21, Sutherland Street in Runcorn, but widowed Nellie was being supported by three of her children: William Henry who was a chemicals and drugs process worker, Hilda who was working with biological and medical products, and Nellie Jane who was employed in a chemical works as an assistant cook. There was no record of Charlie with his family at that time.
Charlie served in World War Two in the Royal Navy. He was an Able Seaman. He served on HMS Maori, which was a Tribal Class destroyer in the Mediterranean fleet, and on HMS Pathfinder which was a P-class destroyer serving in several theatres of war.
On 23rd June 1941 Charlie married Margaret Gladys Hignett from Runcorn.
The couple were living in Preston-on- the-Hill at the start of the 21st century.
Margaret Gladys Beech passed away in 2007.
Charles Hubert Beech passed away on 17th May 2017 at the age of 99 years and was cremated at Walton Lea crematorium after a service at the church in Daresbury.
