Beecroft/Becraft Ancestors

John Hooten "Jack" Becroft and Gwendoline Florence Smith

---

---

Husband John Hooten "Jack" Becroft [19045]

---

           Born: 1904
     Christened: 
           Died: 29 Mar 1964
         Buried: 

---

         Father: Thomas Edward Becroft [19039] (1862-1932) 1
         Mother: Emily Gertrude Hooton [19044]

---

       Marriage: 1932

Events

• Biography: John Hooton Beecroft, born 1904, died 1964
Prior to his death Thomas set up a trust (known as the T.E Beecroft Trust). The main object of the Trust was to allow Jack Beecroft to manage the business and for his sister Mary to receive a regular income from the business. The Trust ended with the death of either party

Upon the death of Jack Beecroft in 1964 Mary had the option of continuing the existing arrangement with Jack's family or exercise her option under the terms of the Trust to claim her 50% share of the assets of the business. Mary s husband Frank Miller advised her that the money would be put to better use in their own business, and she requested the 50% option as per the terms of the Trust.

In 1932 Jack had married Gwendoline Florence Smith and lived firstly in Daybrook and moved to Burton Joyce in 1938 and finally to Bulcote in 1962 until his death on 29th March 1964.

In 1938 Jack opened another shop in Central Avenue, West Bridgford but due to the effect of World War Two this shop was closed in1940.

Businesses were controlled by Government restrictions, stock supplies limited, and the situation was not helped by Jack being conscripted into the RAF from 1943 to 1946. The shop was then managed by Thomas's widow Emily and Jack's wife Gwendoline until his return.

In 1932, JHB (Jack) had married Gwendoline Florence Smith, b. 1907, and lived firstly in Daybrook and moved to Burton Joyce in 1938 and finally to Bulcote in 1962 until his death on 29th March 1964.

Jack & Gwen had one son David John, born 7th July 1933.

Upon his return from the RAF in 1946 Jack had the opportunity to purchase no.18 Pelham Street in 1948 and plans were made to amalgamate the two shops to create one of the largest specialist toy and model shops in the U.K. The shop comprised of three retail levels as well as stockrooms, office and staff rest rooms.

In 1962 Jack personally bought a permanent lock up toy and model stall in the Central Market on King Edward Street.

Between 1948 and 1962 Jack invested a large amount of the company's capital reserves in structural modernisation of 16-18 Pelham Street and to keep abreast of developments in retail trading during its recovery from wartime restrictions.

---

---

Wife Gwendoline Florence Smith [19047]

---

           Born: 1907
     Christened: 
           Died: 1975 - Selby Lane, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, England
         Buried: 

---

Children

---

1 M David John Becroft [19048] (details suppressed for this person)

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Margaret Mowbray [19049] (living)

---

Sources

1 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "FamilySearch Family Tree," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org : accessed 28 Nov 2025), entry for Charles Beecroft, person ID MM63-G2D.