The Banstead Image Library
Francis and Thomas Beckenham
My Great Granddad, Francis Beckenham, I am assuming, in the grounds of Chambers Cottage in Smithham Bottom Lane (changed to Outwood Lane at a later date).
His son Thomas Albert was killed by a train at Chipstead station, which is in the publication by D W Busfield. He is buried at St Peters Church plot no. 11
[date estimated]
Response from LNW: There is a long report on this case in the Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser dated 15 January 1910.
Thomas was only 10 years old. The inquest was held in The Woodman and a number of witnesses were called. The case examined the arrival and departure of two trains, the gate and whether it should have been unlocked and the actions of the train driver. What was clear was that, despite instructions not to do so, people, both passengers and pedestrians, often crossed the lines when they should not have. Thomas and his brother started to cross, and his brother managed to get out of the way, but Thomas was killed. The train driver sounded his whistle twice as a warning, but it was impossible to stop the train in the distance he had.
The driver was exonerated, and the inquest found that the fatality was an accidental death.
Picture added on 04 June 2026 at 11:45
This picture is in the following groups
Transport
Transport
External Links
Banstead History
Banstead History
Francis was the son of John and Betsy Beckenham.
John is reported to be buried in St Peters Church.
Francis was born at Pepper Alley in Caterham and later married Ellen Coomber my great grandmother. They lived at Chambers Cottage in Smithham Bottom Lane, later named Outwood Lane. The location is roughly where the current waterworks are. They went on to give birth to my Grandad in 1903 who went on to be the school caretaker (at Woodmansterne Primary School) where he remained for the next 20 years. He lived in Manor Cottages next door to The Woodman and next door to his sister, Caroline.
John is reported to be buried in St Peters Church.
Francis was born at Pepper Alley in Caterham and later married Ellen Coomber my great grandmother. They lived at Chambers Cottage in Smithham Bottom Lane, later named Outwood Lane. The location is roughly where the current waterworks are. They went on to give birth to my Grandad in 1903 who went on to be the school caretaker (at Woodmansterne Primary School) where he remained for the next 20 years. He lived in Manor Cottages next door to The Woodman and next door to his sister, Caroline.
Added by Mark Beckenham on 04 June 2026
Furthermore, to this story Thomas's brother, James, who was present at the time of the accident, went on to serve in world war 1 and, unfortunately, was killed in action and is remembered on the lych gate of St Peters Church entrance.
The following is an extract from 7th Kings Rifle Regiment memorial page:
In memory of Rfn No R/38097 James Beckenham, 7th (Service) Bn, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. 14th (Light) Division.
Died Monday 20th August 1917, aged 20. Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. 3rd Ypres.
Son of Francis and Ellen Beckenham, of Chamberlain's Cottage, Chipstead Valley Rd., Coulsdon, Surrey.
Youngest of seven children. James enlisted at Coulsdon in Surrey as Rifleman R/38097 of the 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, although records show that he was previously Private T4/142645 with the Army Service Corps. As the 1914/15 Star is not listed on the Medal Roll Index with his medal entitlement, he must not have gone abroad until at least 1916.
Extract from Bn diary.
"Dispositions – 2 ½ Coys in front line and immediate support, Bn HQ and 1 ½ Coys in part of a tunnel built under the MENIN road by the Germans from HOODGE to INVERNESS copse. 7th R.B. on our right, 42nd J.B. on our left. Divisions relieved 18th and 56th.
The line was in a very bad state after the recent heavy fighting; the approaches were very difficult, and the whole area had been heavily shelled. There was no infantry action during this tour and attention was concentrated on improving trenches. Casualties – 3 O R killed, 23 O R wounded."
Tyne Cot Military Cemetery.
Panel 115-119.
Woodmansterne, St Peter's Lychgate
The following is an extract from 7th Kings Rifle Regiment memorial page:
In memory of Rfn No R/38097 James Beckenham, 7th (Service) Bn, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. 14th (Light) Division.
Died Monday 20th August 1917, aged 20. Battle of the Menin Road Ridge. 3rd Ypres.
Son of Francis and Ellen Beckenham, of Chamberlain's Cottage, Chipstead Valley Rd., Coulsdon, Surrey.
Youngest of seven children. James enlisted at Coulsdon in Surrey as Rifleman R/38097 of the 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, although records show that he was previously Private T4/142645 with the Army Service Corps. As the 1914/15 Star is not listed on the Medal Roll Index with his medal entitlement, he must not have gone abroad until at least 1916.
Extract from Bn diary.
"Dispositions – 2 ½ Coys in front line and immediate support, Bn HQ and 1 ½ Coys in part of a tunnel built under the MENIN road by the Germans from HOODGE to INVERNESS copse. 7th R.B. on our right, 42nd J.B. on our left. Divisions relieved 18th and 56th.
The line was in a very bad state after the recent heavy fighting; the approaches were very difficult, and the whole area had been heavily shelled. There was no infantry action during this tour and attention was concentrated on improving trenches. Casualties – 3 O R killed, 23 O R wounded."
Tyne Cot Military Cemetery.
Panel 115-119.
Woodmansterne, St Peter's Lychgate
Added by Mark Beckenham on 04 June 2026
Chipstead
This was named after Thomas's brother Henry as being the first person to cross. We always assumed this was the bridge by the Midday Sun pub but I have other thoughts on this. After Thomas was killed, the coroner recommended that a footbridge should be erected at Chipstead station, which took place in 1911, and I would assume that the family would have been invited to attend where Henry was the first to cross, and this is where the rumour started.