Major Pat á Beckett

The spectral presence of Major Patrick Albert Forbes-Winslow á Beckett represents The Oxenham Arms’ most recent and distinctive supernatural resident, embodying the eccentric charm and military discipline that defined his remarkable earthly life. His ghost manifests through one of the most specific and consistent paranormal phenomena reported at any British inn: the unmistakable aroma of pipe tobacco detected at precisely 8:30am and 9pm - times that correspond to his lifelong smoking routine.

The Extraordinary Life of a Remarkable Man

Major Pat á Beckett acquired The Oxenham Arms in May 1929, bringing to this ancient establishment a personality as colourful and complex as the building’s own medieval history. Born into military aristocracy as the nephew of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, á Beckett served with distinction in the Royal Horse Artillery before embarking on a series of adventures that would make him one of Devon’s most memorable characters.

His multifaceted career encompassed roles as diverse as actor, comedian, and ringmaster of the Olympia Circus in Liverpool. This theatrical background proved invaluable when he transformed The Oxenham Arms into one of England’s most celebrated curiosity destinations. His direct descent from Thomas á Beckett, the martyred Archbishop of Canterbury, added an additional layer of historical significance to his already impressive lineage.

Upon acquiring The Oxenham Arms, á Beckett undertook a comprehensive restoration that revealed the building’s authentic medieval character. He stripped away Victorian modifications, cleared oak beams and walls of modern wallpaper and whitewash, and returned the structure to what he called its “primitive state.” This restoration philosophy demonstrated his deep appreciation for historical authenticity - a quality that may explain his spiritual attachment to the building after death.

The World’s Greatest Matchbox Collection

á Beckett’s most famous obsession began at age eight when he dropped a tram ticket and discovered a foreign matchbox cover while retrieving it. This childhood incident sparked a lifelong passion that would eventually create the world’s largest matchbox cover collection, comprising over 30,000 specimens from every corner of the globe.

The Major displayed this extraordinary collection throughout The Oxenham Arms’ upper floor passageways, particularly in the Haytor Room, where thousands of matchbox covers adorned the walls like a kaleidoscopic museum of global design. Guests described walking through corridors lined with these tiny works of art, each representing a different country, era, or manufacturer’s creativity.

His collection attracted international attention, including a visit from Spain’s ex-King Alfonso XIII, himself an avid matchbox collector. á Beckett frequently toured with portions of his collection, using these exhibitions to raise money for hospitals and charitable causes. Upon his death in 1941, he bequeathed the entire collection to Bryant & May, the British match manufacturers, ensuring its preservation for posterity.

The spiritual connection between á Beckett and his matchbox collection appears to persist after death. Staff members report sensing his presence most strongly in areas where his collection was displayed, particularly the upper floor passageways and the former Haytor Room exhibition space.

The Pipe Smoking Ritual

á Beckett was renowned as a prodigious pipe smoker, maintaining strict routines that structured his daily activities around tobacco consumption. His morning pipe at 8:30am marked the beginning of each day’s activities, while his evening smoke at 9pm provided contemplative closure to his daily rounds of hosting guests and managing his extraordinary collection.

These specific times have become the most reliable indicators of his continuing spiritual presence. For over fifty years following his death, guests and staff have reported detecting the distinctive aroma of high-quality pipe tobacco at precisely these times. The phenomenon occurs throughout the building but concentrates in areas where á Beckett spent the most time during his earthly occupation.

The quality of the phantom smoke suggests the Major maintains his exacting standards even in death. Witnesses describe rich, complex tobacco aromas characteristic of expensive blends rather than common cigarette smoke. The scent appears suddenly at the designated times, lingers for several minutes, then dissipates completely, leaving no residual trace.

Some guests report that the pipe smoke manifestation seems responsive to their own appreciation for tobacco or recognition of á Beckett’s historical significance. Those who acknowledge his contributions to The Oxenham Arms’ heritage often experience more intense encounters, suggesting an intelligent spirit pleased by respectful recognition.

Aristocratic Connections and Military Heritage

á Beckett’s marriage in 1908 to Lady Nora Francis Fanny Kitchener, granddaughter of Lord Kitchener, established The Oxenham Arms as a gathering place for British military and political elite. Lord Kitchener himself visited the inn at least three times, bringing international significance to this remote Dartmoor location.

The Major displayed several items belonging to Lord Kitchener throughout the inn, including a Middle Eastern knife and an ankus (elephant control device) that remain on display in the 1477 Bar today. His possession of a helmet worn by Lord Kitchener at Gallipoli and a signed photograph from his famous uncle demonstrate the deep familial bonds that connected this ancient inn to major historical events.

á Beckett’s military background manifested in his disciplined approach to inn management and his charitable activities. His efforts to improve local transportation by introducing omnibus services through South Zeal reflected his commitment to community service that extended beyond mere business interests.

The Major’s aristocratic sensibilities occasionally created memorable incidents, including his public request through The Times newspaper that American guests cease booking rooms at his establishment. This notorious “banning” of Americans - the first such generic exclusion by an English hotelier - reflected his occasional impatience with repetitive tourist questions about his extraordinary collection.

Manifestations and Contemporary Encounters

Modern encounters with Major á Beckett’s spirit follow remarkably consistent patterns that reflect his orderly personality and established routines. The phantom pipe smoke appears with clockwork precision, suggesting a spirit maintaining the same disciplined schedule that structured his earthly life.

Staff members describe sensing a watchful presence during their morning and evening duties, particularly when working in areas formerly associated with his matchbox collection. Some report feeling observed during cleaning or maintenance activities, as if the Major continues supervising the care of his beloved establishment.

Guests staying in rooms once used for his collection display often report subtle environmental changes accompanying the pipe smoke manifestations. These include gentle temperature variations, the soft sound of footsteps in corridors, and occasional glimpses of movement in peripheral vision.

The Major’s spiritual presence appears benevolent and protective rather than disturbing. His manifestations enhance rather than detract from the inn’s atmospheric charm, adding another layer to the building’s rich supernatural heritage. Staff members speak of him with affectionate respect, describing his ghost as an integral part of The Oxenham Arms’ character.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

Major Pat á Beckett’s transformation of The Oxenham Arms from a simple Devon inn into an internationally recognised destination established precedents for heritage tourism that continue today. His vision of combining historical authenticity with unique attractions created a model that enhanced rather than compromised the building’s medieval character.

His charitable fundraising through collection exhibitions raised substantial sums for Okehampton Hospital and other local causes, establishing traditions of community service that current owners maintain. The international attention his collection attracted brought visitors from around the world to this remote Dartmoor village, contributing to local economic development while preserving historical heritage.

The Major’s meticulous restoration work revealed architectural features that might otherwise have remained hidden beneath Victorian modifications. His insistence on returning the building to its “primitive state” preserved medieval elements that continue attracting visitors today, demonstrating how passionate individual stewardship can protect irreplaceable historical resources.

The Continuing Presence

á Beckett’s ghost embodies the principle that deep emotional attachment to place can transcend mortality. His decades of loving stewardship, combined with his transformation of The Oxenham Arms into a celebrated destination, created bonds that appear unbroken by death.

The precision of his pipe smoke manifestations suggests a spirit maintaining familiar routines rather than wandering aimlessly. This disciplined approach to haunting reflects his military training and aristocratic upbringing, creating supernatural encounters that enhance rather than disturb the inn’s peaceful atmosphere.

For visitors interested in 20th-century history or military heritage, encounters with Major á Beckett’s spirit provide connections to an era when individual eccentricity and passionate collecting created unique cultural institutions. His continuing presence reminds us that extraordinary individuals can leave lasting impressions on the places they love, enriching future generations through their enduring spiritual presence.

The Major’s ghost serves as a bridge between The Oxenham Arms’ ancient supernatural residents and its more recent history, demonstrating that spiritual attachment to place can develop within a single lifetime when genuine love and appreciation guide human stewardship of historical treasures.