Carl Alexander Beck

Other Events:

• Education: Inchmarlo and Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI)
• Education: Queens University of Belfast
• Occupation: Draughtsman, H&W
• Honours: 1944; a Member of the Order of the British Empire

Notes:

The eldest son of JA & Paula Beck was apprenticed to Mackies Engineering, Springfield Road, Belfast. Carl had an extensive gliding and flying history. "A" license no. 286, May 7, 1932; "B" license no. 286, May 12 1937; and "C" license no. 286, July 4, 1939. Flew on continent prior to WWII, especially in Germany. From his personal notes gathered after his death it is apparent that these "amateur flights" had a much more serious aspect, the gathering of information about German air strength/developments. Confirmed by an ex-colleague of his to have been involved in MI6 activity on the continent.
AI Ministry Pass, AM Pass No. 5106 on AM form 1552 issued January 16, 1940, stamped by Provost Marshal RAF, January 13, 1940, signed by E. S. Chapman. War service vague but apparently involved in development of recon aircraft and responsible for major developmental input into troop landing gliders. His brother (RG) who landed at Arnhem in WWII (1944) in a glider; did not find the experience a happy one. Was known to have test flown Spitfire recon at very high altitude (40,000 ft.). Appeared to have had considerable connections with MI6 during post war phase, especially during "Cold War", and probably used Continental Gliding as cover.
Between 1955 and 1987 he wrote "History of Gliding". Carl was a Friend of Amy Johnston and Amelia Erhardt. (Source: Information received from Alan C. Beck, email dated February 24, 2002)

Other Events:

• Baptism: Newcastle, County Down, Norrthern Ireland
• Education: Cambridge University, Law
• Honours: a Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem
• Occupation: Managing Director, James A. Beck & Son, Ltd.
• Education: Between 1888 and 1895; Governess

Notes:

Medical: Heavy cigar smoker

...Very enthusiastic traveller, renowned ornitholigist, historian and viewer of cathedrals. Started out in family firm as the "junior" who travelled the countryside dealing with all the smaller and more difficult customers. Was one of the first 500 who obtained a driving license in Ireland. Perhaps the first car owned was a Chambers which was built in Belast. From father's memory JA had a Chambers in some part of his early motoring history. One of these cars was in the Ulster Museum. Later, when more senior in the company, had a chauffeur; Alfie, the last one was an ex Chindit (Allied soldier in Burma: a soldier of the Allied forces in World War II, who fought behind the Japanese lines in Burma.
...He and his wife were serious travellers, when younger, going to Denmark at least three times per year, and often spending time on the continent. The travelling, scenery, eating the local food and visiting cathedrals, was not to the liking of the sons, who were to their pleasure, sent off to Ramsey in the IOM.
...Very close friends with James Herron Stirling. Herron was a Director of James A. Beck & Son, Ltd. Photograph with J. H. Stirling and J. U. Switzer at door of Everton House.
...Well known writer and raconteur about the linen trade, and acknowledged expert on subject. His collection of books about the linen trade being given to the PRONI, and being regarded as a "major collection". Assumed to be the greates living authority on history of linen trade in Ulster. Wrote a history of the family firm "History of JA Beck & County" and "History of Linen Industry in Northern Ireland" (in PRONI). Walker and climber often associating both with ornithology and collecting bird's eggs. Climbed Ailsa Craig in Scotland to obtain a particular type of gull's egg. Very much a "pillar of society", always appearing at funerals in top hat and morning dress.
...In later years always seen with handkerchief in breast pocket, flower in button hole, panama hat and cigar. (Source: Information from Alan C. Beck, email dated February 24, 2002, John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

James married Paula Katinka Commichau on 5 Jan 1910 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland. Paula was born on 26 Jul 1883 in Silkeborg, Århus, Denmark; died on 8 May 1966 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland; was buried in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Will: Recorded at Belfast Probate Office

Notes:

Married:
Knockbreda Parish Church

Other Events:

• Occupation: Founder of Belfast Chemical Works
• Residence: 1854, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland
• Religion: 1877; Presbyterian - senior member of Committee at Ballysillan Presbyterian
• Will: 21 Apr 1897, Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland; proven in Belfast Probate Office

Notes:

...James Alexander Beck, the second son of Hugh Beck of Loughbrickland and Armagh, was born at Drumnahaire in 1824. He was known as a very talented scholar who was sent to Dublin to study law, but apparently came home with degree and became apprenticed into the linen trade with Dunbar, Mc Master & County at Gilford (Read Maralin Cohen Linen, Family and Community in Tullylish County, Down 1690-1914 Dublin 1997). James became experiienced in the chemical process and became aware of the commerical enterprise in supplying chemicals to the trade. He settled in Belfast in 1854, and subsequently was founder and proprietor of Belfast Chemical Works, which later became James A. Beck & Son - chemical manufactures principally to the linen trade. In 1859 he purchased Everton House and Estate from the marquis of Donegal, and died there on March 1, 1897, being buried in Belfast City Cemetery. His will, dated November 3, 1895, was proved at Belfast Probate Registry on April 21, 1897, and included several charitable bequests.
...There was a history that his father died young, and that they were estranged. Neither facts are substantiated by the various researches, in fact his father died when he was 26, and probably still at home....Married into the Bullick family, as did his cousin Alexander. Created a bit of a stir by marrying his late wife's younger sister. Developed a passion for travel which was passed on to his family. (Source: Information received from Allan C. Beck, John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)
...Bought: 1859, Everton House from Marquis of Donegal (Source: Information received from Alan C. Beck, email dated February 24, 2002)

James married Rosetta Bullick on 18 Apr 1876 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Rosetta (daughter of Ralph Bullick) was born on 10 Apr 1848 in Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland; died between Oct 1930 and Dec 1930 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1821, Drumnahaire and Greenan, Loughbrickland, County Down, Ireland
• Occupation: 1821; Farmer & grain merchant

Notes:

Hugh Beck, the sixth son of William Beck of Cascum, Loughbrickland, was born in 1788, and in 1821 per Census Returns he was engaged as farmer and grain merchant at Drumnahaire and Greenan, Loughbrickland. He was then 33 years of age, and later, in the 1831 Census Returns, he was in business as a grain merchant at Armagh City, which he continued until his death on December 14, 1850. He married in 1813 Elizabeth, daughter of John McClelland of Greenan, Loughbrickland, who died at Beersbridge House, Belfast, on December 19, 1862. He left three sons and three daughters. (Source: John W. Beck, A.M.I.E.E., "Beck of Northern Ireland", 1931)

Hugh married Elizabeth McClelland in 1814 in Ireland. Elizabeth was born in 1790 in Loughbrickland, County Down, Ireland; died on 19 Dec 1862 in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland; was buried in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Newspaper: 24 Dec 1862; The Belfast News-Letter (Belfast, Northern Ireland), 24 December 1862, p2: Death

Notes:

Newspaper:

DEATHS
Beck—December 19, at Cottage, near Belfast, Eliza, relict of the late Mr. Hugh Beck, formerly of Banbridge, aged 72 years.