Search for descendants of Cyril Beech

Search for descendants of Cyril Beech a 20 year old RAF airman killed in France in an air crash on the 4th March 1944 and formerly of High Street Halmer End, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.

Halmer End Methodist Church are searching for any descendants of Cyril Beech whose family lived in Halmer End High Street until 1961 when they moved to Abbots Way in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Cyril Beech was killed in an air crash in France on 4th March 1944. He was one of 7 airman on an RAF Stirling E215 plane delivering arms by parachute to the French Resistance when their plane was suddenly caught in a snowstorm above the Massif Central and crashed on a country lane.

A French doctor Dr. Fabienne Bonnet, formerly of Cambridge University, lives near to the site of the crash in France and she would like to have the names of the crash victims inscribed on the Memorial Stone at the site of the crash. To do this she has to get permission from descendants of the airmen to meet French Government requirements. So Dr. Bonnet has asked us to help with her search for the family.

Cyril Beech had a younger brother Leonard. The family were also members of the former Wesley Place Methodist Church in Halmer End where Cyril's father Herbert was the Choir Treasurer for 43 years until the family moved to Abbots Way in Newcastle. Cyril was the son of Herbert and Nellie Beech.

We thank members of the Audley & District Family History Society who have provided the details we have so far about Cyril Beech's family. More details are on the attached photos.

If you are able to help us in our search for descendants of Cyril's family please contact:

David Rowley, Senior Steward for Halmer End Methodist Church at
dj-rowley@techdocservices.co.uk or on 01782 722014.

Thank you for any help you can give with this search