Bramston Beach (politician)


William Wither Bramston Beach was an English Conservative politician, who served in the House of Commons for 44 years between 1857 and 1901, becoming Father of the House of Commons until he was run over by a cab.

Birth and education

Beach was the son of William Beach of Oakley Hall, Hampshire and his wife Jane Henrietta Browne, daughter of John Browne of Salperton Park, Gloucestershire. His paternal grandfather was Michael Hicks Beach, ancestor of the Hicks Beach baronets. Beach was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford where he excelled as an athlete.

Career

In 1857 Beach was elected Member of Parliament for North Hampshire. He held the seat until the seat was reorganised under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. He was then elected MP for Andover and held the seat until his death in 1901. In the House of Commons, he spoke little but did much hard work in committee and was appointed a Privy Councillor in January 1900.
Beach was actively involved in the rapidly growing British railway industry, and became a Director of the London and South Western Railway, becoming Deputy Chairman of the railway's Board under the Chairmanship of Sir William Wyndam Portal, 2nd Baronet. When a Masonic Lodge was formed for the staff of the London and South Western Railway it was named Beach Lodge after the Deputy Chairman, who also served as the Lodge's first Worshipful Master.

Private life

Beach married Caroline Chichester Clevland, daughter of Colonel Augustus Clevland of Tapeley Park, North Devon in 1857. They lived at Oakley Hall, near Basingstoke.
He was a J. P. for Hampshire and Hon. Major of the Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
Beach was a very active Freemason, having been initiated in the Apollo University Lodge, Oxford, whilst at university. He subsequently became a member of multiple Masonic lodges and Holy Royal Arch Chapters, becoming Provincial Grand Master for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and later Third Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Freemasons of England.
He died after being run over by a cab, aged 74 years.