Hello all,
I am a descendent of the above wrestlers who lived in the North West and I am trying to find more information out about each of them. Brothers: William "Billy" Beech (b. 1889-ish in Biddulph, Staffs) Isaac "Ike" Beech (b. 1892-ish in Biddulph, Staffs) Also, Ike had a son (another Billy) born 1921, died 1984. Both of the brothers ended up moving up North and lived in what was then Lancashire between Bolton/Wigan/St Helens. Ike played briefly for Saints rugby league. I have some information which I have shared a few years ago - you can see that (including pictures) at these links: https://www.suttonbeauty.org.uk/suttonhistory/suttonboxers/ https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/bbeech.htm The above links contain information on Ike and son Billy jr. The below link contains information on Billy sr. where he is pictured wearing his championship belt: http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.php?opt=6&id=23262&gallery=album&offset=0 I have been in contact with a wrestling history hobbyist in the states. He believes the belt being worn by Billy senior in the link above is the light weight championship of Lancashire. However, he has said that this belt is Jack Alker's 1932 belt. However if that year is correct it would make Billy senior at least 40 (ish) in this picture which seems quite old. Really I'm just trying to connect with anyone who can help provide any further information about any of these wrestlers as I haven't found anything new in a few years and thought I would ask on here. Thanks, Paul.
Dear friends, HOBBY-ist from the United States is me, Paul, talk to Paul Mitchell of Salford (hes on Heritage), in his thread on Lancs belts he speaks about Westhoughton Nursing Association wrestling championships, in fact it was an official name of the title belt Jack Alker won/held in the early to mid 1930s. Belt became property of Beech after 1937 (I think) and after that he usually was billed as a middleweight and a 'gold belt holder' I made quite a few posts on Heritage re this subject. Belt was around in the 1950s and used by Jack Taylor of Accrington in his promotion (there's a photo of his protégé wearing it)...other famous champs who held it in the 50s-60s were Fred Woolley and Gentleman Jim Lewis, both of Salford.