Besfords

The history of the Besfords

Latest articles

  • David Besford (1897-1991)

    David Besford (1897-1991)

    David Besford was the son of David Besford and Mary Besford (neé Turnbull). David was born on 1st February 1897 at Middleton Street, Amble, Northumberland. 

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  • David Besford (1863-1954)

    David Besford (1863-1954)

    David Besford was born on 11th September 1863 at Cowpen Colliery. He was the son of John and Margaret Besford.

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  • John William (Jack) Besford

    John William (Jack) Besford

    John William Besford was born on 20th November 1891 at 19 Church Street, Amble, Northumberland. Always known as Jack, he was one one of twelve children, eight of whom survived to adulthood.

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  • George Besford (1893-1966)

    George Besford (1893-1966)

    George Besford was born at 19 Church Street, Amble, Northumberland on 31st January 1893. He would go on to serve in the Northumberland Fusiliers in the First World War.

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  • David Besford (skipper)

    David Besford (skipper)

    David Besford was the skipper of the St. Patrick trawler in Lowestoft.

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  • Mary Besford (later Thompson/Turner) (1888-1985)

    Mary Besford (later Thompson/Turner) (1888-1985)

    Mary Besford was the daughter of David Besford and Mary Besford (née Turnbull). She was born on New Year’s Eve 1888 at Togston Terrace, Broomhill, Northumberland. She was David and Mary Besford’s first child (of 12). Her father was working at Broomhill Colliery in 1888.

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  • Thomas Besford (1899-1994)

    Thomas Besford (1899-1994)

    Thomas Besford was the son of David Besford and Mary Besford (née Turnbull). Thomas was born on 8th November 1899 at Chevington Crescent, Northumberland.

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  • Besford Court

    Besford Court

    Besford Court was the last great, gothic English country house. It is a Grade II*-listed building, located in the village of Besford.

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  • Besford House

    Besford House

    Besford House, Belle Vue, Shrewsbury, was built originally as a private residence in 1893. In 1911 it was set up a boys’ home, as a way of getting children out of the workhouses. It has now been restored as a family home.

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  • Besford Church

    Besford Church

    The church of St Peter in Besford is a wonderful example of English church architecture and one of only a few timber frame churches in England.

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  • John Charles Preston (Jack) Besford

    John Charles Preston (Jack) Besford

    Known as Jack, John Charles Preston Besford was a dentist and amateur swimmer, who became British and European swimming champion, and won the British backstroke title seven times from 1927 to 1936.

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  • Dr John Besford

    Dr John Besford

    Dr John Besford is a retired Harley Street dentist, famous for his specialism in prosthodontics.

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  • Robert Bestford (1865-1935)

    Robert Bestford was the son of George and Jane Bestford. He was baptised on 11th June 1865 at St. Giles Parish Church, Birtley, Northumberland.

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  • Matthew Wilkinson Bestford (1892-1978)

    Matthew Wilkinson Bestford was born on 7th May 1892. He was the son of Robert Bestford (1865-1935) and his wife Phyllis Bestford (née Woodman). 

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  • Thomas Besford (born 1900)

    Thomas Besford was born on 11th June 1900, the son of Thomas Besford and Elizabeth Besford (née Train). Thomas was the brother of John Besford (1890-1916).

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  • George Besford (1871-1938)

    George Besford (1871-1938)

    George Besford was born on 15th January 1871 at Barrasford, Northumberland. He was baptised on 26th March 1871 at St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Warden. 

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  • Dorothy Jane (Dora) Besford (later Hornsby) 1915-2018

    Dorothy Jane (Dora) Besford (later Hornsby) 1915-2018

    Dorothy Jane Besford was born on 21st September 1915 at 273 Rosalind Street, Ashington, Northumberland. Her parents were John William Besford (always known as Jack) and Agnes Jane Besford (née Hewit). Dora (as she would always be known) was named after her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Jane Hewit (née Ferrow). 

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  • John Besford (1872-1954)

    John Besford (1872-1954)

    John Besford was born on 5th February 1872 at Cowpen Square, Blyth, Northumberland. John was the son of Alexander Besford, a coal miner, and his wife Elizabeth (Bessy) Besford (née Mills).

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