MR. WALTER CHARLES BEDDY, the well-known proprietor of the Jagersfontein Hotel bearing his name, is an Irishman by birth, his native town is Drogheda, in the Coun ty of Louth, where he was born in 1854, and is the fifth living son of the late Thomas Beddy Esq., of County Louth, Ireland. He received his education in the town of his birth, and on its termination entered into business as a genera l draper and outfitter, remaining as such for the following four years.

In 1874 he set sail for South Africa, landing in Port Elizabeth. There being no railways in those days, Mr. Beddy travelled by coach to Fauresmith, in the Orange River Colony, and on his arrival joined his brother, Mr. W.T. Beddy, as a General Merchant. Some few years later he set up in business on his own account, but on the opening up of the Jagersfontein Diamond Mine he proceeded there and commenced in the hotel business by opening the old Royal Hotel. This he subsequently gave up, and received the appointment as Town Clerk and Market Master.

In 1893 his enterprising spirit led him to take over, with Mr. Watt, the present well-known hotel known as " Beddy's," and formerly owned by Mr. Wallis, of Johannesburg. Since those days Mr. Beddy has vastly improved the hotel, which is recognised as the leading hotel in the·town. Mr. Beddy, who takes a keen interest in all matters affecting the town, was for many years during the old Government a member of the "Dorps Bestuur." During the late war he was a prominent member of the Town Guard, both at Jagersfontein and Trompsburg, in which latter place he held the rank of second in command, and obtained the Queen's medal.

In the year 1885 he married Isabella, only daughter of the late Mr. James Sinclair, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and has issue six children.

Sources:

• Men of the Times, published by The Transvaal Publishing Company, Johannesburg, Cape Town & London, printed by Eyre and Spottiswood, His Majesty’s Printers, 1906, p.532
• "Transvaal, South Africa records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4N-SF5T?view=explore : Aug 9, 2025), image 732 of 988; Image Group Number: 007897222
• "South Africa, Orange Free State, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1832-1990", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76KS-BWW2 : Sun Mar 10 03:38:04 UTC 2024), Entry for Isabella Catherine Boyd Sinclair Beddy, 1917.