Nat Gould

Ralph Beardmore 1870-1937

Stanshope Hall

Ralph Beardmore was born on 28 March 1870 at Stanshope Hall in Alstonefield parish in Staffordshire, the son of Ralph Beardmore 1833-1910 and his wife née Mary Elizabeth Waterhouse 1837-1915. He was baptised at Alstonefield on 1 May 1870.

When the Census was taken in 1881 he was a schoolboy staying with his maternal grandfather William Bradley Waterhouse at Sun Dial Cottage, Hollingworth near Mottram-in-Longdendale, Cheshire. In 1891 and 1901 he was at home with his parents at Stanshope Hall.

In 1907 he married Sarah Anne Brocklehurst at Manchester. She was born in 1870 at Carsington in Derbyshire.

When the Census was taken in 1911 they had no children.

Ralph Beardmore died on 21 February 1937 at Mayfield in Staffordshire (1), and was buried on 24 February 1937 at Alstonefield (2) where there is a memorial inscription to his memory and that of his wife.

His Will was proved on 27 February 1937 (3).

His wife died at Mayfield on 19 October 1959 aged 90 years, and was buried with her husband at Alstonefield.

Her Will was proved on 22 April 1960 (4).

(1) "The funeral took place to-day at Alstonfield of Mr. Ralph Beardmore, of Spring Cottage, Mayfield, who collapsed and died on Sunday. Mr. Beardmore was a member of a well-known local family and a Freemason. His father, who occupied Stanshope Hall for many years, was a member of the old Gilbert Trust which operated before the establishment of the Board of Guardians. Mr. Ralph Beardmore was also a member of the Ashbourne Board of Guardians until its abolition, a former chairman of Mayfield Rural Council and a member of the Council of the Ashbourne Shire Horse Society." Derby Daily Telegraph Wednesday 24 February 1937.
(2) "Tributes to Mr. R. Beardmore. Funeral Service at Alstonfield. Many friends attended the funeral of Mr. Ralph Beardmore, of Spring Cottage, Mayfield, at Alstonfield Parish Church yesterday afternoon. The church was filled for the service conducted by the Rev. S. Beresford. "Abide With Me" was sung, and the brethren of St. Oswald's Lodge chanted the Masonic Ode. The Nunc Dimittis was chanted as the cortege left the church. Miss Plant was at the organ.
Mourners were: Mrs. R. Beardmore (widow), Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Beardmore (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. G. Gould (brother-in-law), Messrs. Tom, Ralph, and William Wooddisse (nephews) ... Representatives of the St. Oswald's Lodge of Freemasons were: W. Master T.S. Wheeldon, W. Bros, R. Holland, C. Hales, A. Hugh Thomas, T. Plant, W. Doxey, J.C. Prince, Jas Tomlinson, G. Gaunt, Bros. R.S. Bury, B.H. Bury, R. Wooddisse, J.E. Stanning, and R.Riley ..." Derby Daily Telegraph Thursday 25 February 1937.
Ralph Beardmore was also a Mark Mason as early as 1902, being then a Steward present at the meeting reported in the press under the auspices of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Abraham Wooddisse. Derby Daily Telegraph 11 February 1902.
(3) "BEARDMORE Ralph of Spring Cottage Mayfield Staffordshire died 21 February 1937 Probate London 27 April to Sarah Anne Beardmore widow and John Philip Beardmore retired fancy goods dealer. Effects £3444 17s 5d." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1937) page 276.
(4) "BEARDMORE Sarah Anne of Spring Cottage Mayfield Ashbourne Staffordshire died 19 October 1959 Probate Manchester 22 April to Vera Florence Atwell (wife of Eric Clarence Atwell) and Richard George Howard Brocklehurst timber merchant. Effects £12509 18s 9d." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1960) page 272. Vera Florence Atwell was her late husband's niece, the daughter of his brother John Philip Beardmore. Richard George Howard Brocklehurst was presumably her brother or nephew.