| Jan-30-16 | | zanzibar: <A NATIVE of Hastings, Mr. Branch resided for many years at
Brighton and Lewes. In 1873, at the age of nineteen, he was one
of the first company of chessists who gathered together at the Brighton
Corporation Chess Room," while few years later he assisted in the
formation of the Lewes Chess Club, of which shortly afterwards he
became the secretary, in which position he worked well for the
advancement of this new organisation. So successful, indeed, were his
efforts in this direction that, upon his removal to Cheltenham in 1889,
his fellow members presented him with testimonial.
In his new home he quickly recommenced his labours in the
cause of chess. For finding that there was no club at Cheltenham, he
strongly advocated the formation of one in the local press, and helped
by the borough member and other influential citizens, succeeded, as at
Lewes, in this laudable ambition. Indeed, his most sanguine expectations must have been more than realised, for he very soon found
himself match captain and secretary of really strong club, position which he has continued to hold
with conspicuous success. As to his reputation as player, is it not chronicled in the records of the
Cheltenhamites how he won their first championship tourney with score of 24 out of possible 26? Is
it not written how upon many occasions he has upheld the honour of his club Again, in editorial work he has deservedly high reputation his brilliant articles upon "Ancient,
Mediaeval, and Modern Chess," which from time to time have appeared in his column in the Cheltenham
Examiner, being exceedingly popular. ...>
"The Chess Bouquet (1897)" p221
Given the (age nineteen in 1873) he was born ~1854. |
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Aug-18-16
 | | MissScarlett: Gloucestershire Echo, 26th January, 1933, p.3:
<The funeral took place at Cheltenham Cemetery to-day of Mr. William Shelley Branch, Chess Editor of the "Cheltenham Chronicle," who died at his home, 5 Naunton Park-road, on Sunday after a short illness, in his 79th year. [...]
The only family mourner was Mr. H. E. Branch, brother, with whom he had lived during the whole of his 45 years' residence in Cheltenham. [...]>
That would make his dates <c. 1854 - 22.01.1933>. |
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Oct-06-16
 | | GrahamClayton: As well as his column in the "Cheltenham Chronicle" and "Cheltenham Examiner", Branch also wrote "A Sketch History of Chess' in the British Chess Magazine in 1911. |
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Kibitzing
