Alfred Ernest BEAMISH

Educated at Harrow school, Alfred Beamish was the son of an Irish solicitor and barrister, whose grandfather fought in the American war of Independence. Alfred appeared at Queen’s Club in 1903 and a year later made his Wimbledon début. He twice reached the men’s singles semi-final. Firstly in 1912 when he lost in four sets to Arthur Gore, and in 1914 when he lost to the eventual champion Norman Brookes of Australia in straight sets. Partnering James Parke of Ireland in 1912 he reached the men’s doubles All-comer’s final but lost in five sets to Herbert Roper Barrett and Charles Dixon, after leading by two sets to one. Beamish and Parke reached the All-comer’s final again in 1913 but lost in three sets to the German pair of Heinrich Kleinschroth and Friedrich Rahe. His best finish in the mixed doubles was in reaching the semi-final, with his wife Geraldine in 1920, and with Ethel Larcombe a year later.

Partnering Charles Dixon, Beamish won the bronze medal in the covered court doubles event at the 1912 Olympics. It was his only Olympic medal despite competing in five events at the 1912 and 1920 Games. Beamish made three appearances in the Davis Cup in 1911, 1912 and 1920 and was a member of the winning British Isles team that beat Australasia in 1912. Also in 1912 he was runner-up in the forerunner of the Australian Open, when he lost to his doubles partner James Parke. Beamish was also the runner-up in the Irish championship in 1909 and 1910. After the War, in which Beamish served in France with the Army Service Corps, Beamish reached the final of the world covered court championship at København in 1921 but lost to William Laurentz in straight sets. His wife Geraldine, who he married in 1911, won the women’s doubles silver medal at the 1912 Olympics and was beaten in the ladies’ doubles final at Wimbledon in 1921, but did win five titles at the world covered court championships between 1919-23.