FUNERAL OF THE SQUIRE OF HANSLOPE
A COUNTY IN MOURNING
Sad, but impressive scenes were witnessed at Hanslope this afternoon on the occasion of the funeral of Mr. Edward Hanslope Watts, J.P., of Hanslope Hall, whose tragic death on Sunday last plunged the whole County of Buckinghamshire into mourning.
There was a great assemblage of people of all classes, who desired to pay their last tribute of respect to one who was so honoured and beloved, and to show their deep sympathy with Mrs. Watts, her husband shot dead before her. She was not able to attend the ceremony.
The deceased squire had during his lifetime had expressed the desire that his remains should be cremated, and in compliance with that, his body was on Wednesday placed in a wooden shell and conveyed by motor to the crematorium at Woking. The body was accompanied by Captain H.Grant-Thorold J.P., (executor), Mr. H. E. Bull (nephew), and Captain M.S. Poore (son-in-law).
The remains were placed in a beautiful urn, and were brought back to Hanslope Park this morning. About two o'clock the cortege left the Park and proceeded to Hanslope Church by the road along which Mr. And Mrs. Watts had for so many years walked to service. The procession passed by the spot where the tragedy occurred last Sunday morning.
A posse of 40 police under the direction of the Chief Constable of the County (Major Otway Mayne) and Superintendent Pearce, were stationed along the route of the procession from the Park gates to Hanslope Church, a distance of three-quarters of a mile.
The service at Hanslope Church, which held a full congregation, was of a moving character. The Vicar, the Rev. W.J.Harkness, officiated.