Hampshire Chronicle | News, sport & leisure from Winchester, Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford

Former head teacher dies after long illness

From the archive, first published Thursday 12th Jul 2007.

THE ex-head teacher of a Winchester secondary school has died, aged 86.

Dennis Beacham, former head of the Montgomery of Alamein School, passed away after a long illness, quietly at home.

Mr Beacham came to Winchester in 1967 when he was appointed to run Winchester County Secondary School for boys.

He renamed the school after Field Marshall Viscount Lord Montgomery of Alamein, who agreed to reopen it.

Mr Beacham retired in 1984 and until the end insisted on retaining a teaching commitment, believing it important that a head should retain contact with the classroom. He is pictured right around the time of his retirement. The school subsequently became Kings'.

During the Second World War, Mr Beacham was an officer with the East Lancashire regiment and saw action in Belgium, Holland, the crossing of the Rhine and the battles of the Reichwald and Hamburg.

He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Topsy, son Ian, daughter-in-law Carol, four grandchildren and one great- grandson.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on July 20 at 11.30am at the parish church in King's Somborne.

The family request no flowers, however there will be an opportunity at the service to make a donation to the Coast Guard Association (cliff rescue).

An indication of attendance at the service would be appreciated to: ian@ianbeacham0. wanadoo.co.uk.