WM layman of Plymouth, born at Pancrasweek near Holsworthy, he was educated at Shebbear College (of which he was later a generous benefactor). He became a partner in a Plymouth drapery firm and served as a town councillor and as Chairman of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. He ws President of the Commercial Travellers' Association in 1912. As a member of King Street WM Church he worked among young people and was Sunday School Superintendent for over 30 years. He served on the connexional Sunday School Committee and attended the International Sunday School Conferences in Rome (1907) and Washington DC (1910). He was Treasurer of the Temperance and Social Welfare Department and President of Westhill College, Selly Oak. In 1926 he set up the Beckly Trust. At the Methodist Church Congress in 1931 he spoke on 'The Sense of Stewardship'.