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Ted Beech was the son of wrestler Ike Beech and nephew of Billy Beech. He was born William Beech on 23rd October, 1920 when the family were living in Milton Street, Sutton Manor in St Helens.
In 1935 and just fourteen years old Billy started wrestling on Silcock’s Fairgrounds, at first near his home in St Helens and further afield after leaving school. He also followed the family tradition of working in the coal mines, getting his first job at Sutton Manor Colliery.
When he started wrestling professionally Billy adopted the name Ted Beech to differentiate himself from his wrestling uncle. He was also known as Babe and Butcher Beech. He began wrestling professionally during the Second World War, and we find him in January, 1945, fighting Doulas the Turk at Blackpool Tower.
Ernie Riley, Alan Colbeck, Geoff Portz and Francis Sullivan were amongst his opponents in the first half of the 1950s when Ted was working for the newly formed Joint Promotions. The Sutton Beauty and Heritage website reported that in 1957, by which time Ted had filled out to heavyweight, he gave up his job at the colliery to wrestle full time. The following year he moved from Joint Promotions to work for the independent promoters; a valuable and versatile wrestler who became a serial masked man, not just one of the multitude of Doctor Deaths but also a ‘Red Devil’, ‘Executioner’, ‘Black Arrow’ and ‘Hangman.’
Ted continued working until well into the 1960s, a career lasting twenty or more years. Our last documented match is in 1964, we find one unconfirmed match the following year whilst the Sutton Beauty and Heritage site gives a retirement date of 1968.
Ted Beech died in 1984
We would like to thank family member Paul O.Connor and Sutton Beauty & Heritage website for providing information and photographs for this tribute.
Paul continues to seek information on his famous relatives and can be contacted via the Wrestling Heritage website
Reviewed 12/03/2022
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