OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM EDWIN BECKLY (1898-1986)

In 1893 Mr John Yeo (1841-1918), the founder of Messrs John Yeo and Company, drapers, in Plymouth, invited his nephew, Mr John Henry Beckly (1863-1932) to join him in Plymouth as a partner.

Mr William Edwin Beckly served with the Royal Engineers during the Great War and became an acting Major at the age of 19 years.  After being mentioned in dispatches he was awarded the Military Cross.

He joined the Company in Plymouth in 1925.

Mr John Henry Beckly (1863-1932) died on the evening of Thursday December 22nd 1932.

Mr Frank Russell Yeo (1881-1936) died on Monday November 16th 1936.  This left the Company under the control of Mr William Edwin Beckly.

Like other businesses in Plymouth at the time, Yeo's provided accommodation for their staff.  Three hostels are known to have existed in 1937: at Bedford Terrace; at Leigham Terrace, Citadel Road; and at Gascoyne Place.

During the Second World War the store was destroyed and Mr Beckly was responsible for finding temporary accommodation for the various departments throughout the city centre.  Probably his service in the Royal Engineers during the Great War, when at 19 years of age he became an Acting Major, helped him in organising that difficult task.  In April 1941 an announcement was made that new premises would open shortly at 25 Woodland Terrace; at Ford Park Corner of Mutley Plain; and at number 13 Mutley Plain.  He later found premises at North Hill, next to the South Devon and Cornwall Institution for the Blind; at numbers 54/56 Mutley Plain; at 44 Ebrington Street, which they shared with Spooner's; and in the Pannier Market.

Work started on new premises at number 29 New George Street in 1950.  On the frontage facing on to Royal Parade  were, and still are, four carved murals, each about 10 feet long by 6 feet tall, depicting clothing in the Phoenician, Roman, Norman and Tudor periods.  They were designed by Mr Frazer, of Messrs Donald Hamilton, Wakeford and Partners, who were the architects in association with a Mr H J Linden, and were carved by Mr Adams and Mr Burgess of Messrs Adams and Mitchell, of Portland, Dorset.  The whole building, which was constructed by Messrs Dudley Coles Limited, cost some £300,000 and was formally opened on Tuesday September 8th 1952.   After his mother had verbally declared the store open, Master David Beckly, the 13-years-old son of the managing director, unlocked the main door in the presence of Mrs Cadman, daughter of the founder; Mr Isaac Foot, who was a director of the Company, and a large crowd of shoppers.

The Company provided a hostel for staff in the 1950s, which was located at 25 Woodland Terrace, Greenbank Road, and was under the supervision of a Mrs Kendall.

The John Yeo and Company Limited store frontage in Royal Parade and Bedford Way.
The four carved murals are just visible in the picture.
From a postcard. 

Gift Suggestions for Christmas 1956 included 30 denier stretch nylons in gift packs at 9s 11d; all wool Continental scarves from 7s 6d; and children's charm bracelets for 4s 11½d.  Alternatively, if you had the money, you could have Peccary Cape Gloves on special offer, 14s 11d, reduced from 18s 11d.

In 1964 Mr Beckly retired and the business was sold to Messrs Debenham's Limited.  The name was retained until 1977, when it became the Yeo Building.

Mr William Edwin Beckly died at his home, "Knighton Cottage", Buckland Monachorum, on Tuesday December 16th 1986.  He was 88-years-old and had been heavily involved in the post-War reconstruction of Plymouth.