THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. E. H. WATTS
The usually pretty village of Hanslope, which was a short time ago the scene of a gay village carnival and fete, bore a very mournful aspect on Friday last, on the occasion of the funeral of Mr. Edward Hanslope Watts, the victim of the most tragic and unprecedented event in the annals of North Bucks, which plunged the whole countryside for a great distance around in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire in deep mourning.
There was a remarkable demonstration of sympathy from the great assemblage of people from all classes present, who desired to pay their last tribute of respect, and bestow their sincere sympathy to the deceased's widow, who had been prostrated by her heartrending experience of the previous days. Long before the appointed time of the funeral the approaches to the churchyard were thronged, and in the interior of the church half the seating accommodation was early occupied, and the remainder was reserved for the family mourners and friends.
In compliance with a wish of the dead squire, his remains were cremated at the Crematorium at Golder's Green the previous day. Here a short service was held previous to the cremation; conducted by the Rev. H. Last, Vicar of Stony Stratford St. Giles. The ashes were enclosed in an earthenware urn, and were brought by motor car the same night to the park, to await interment in the family vault in the church. The body was accompanied by Capt. H. Grant-Thorold J.P. (executor), Mr. H. E. Bull (nephew), and Mr. Mark Poore (son-in-law).
The cortege left the Park about 3 o'clock and proceeded to the parish church, by the road along which the tragedy occurred the previous Sunday. The procession was headed by members of the Bucks. Constabulary, under the supervision of Supt. Pearce, representing the Chief Constable (Major Otway Mayne); also the Chief Constable of Northants., Superintendent Andrews, and Inspectors Bailey and Newbury, of the same Constabulary.
The procession was augmented at the Vicarage by many of the tenants and representative Hanslope people, and passed through deep rows of sympathising spectators to the church door, where the cortege was met by robed clergy, who led the way into the sacred edifice. All the blinds of the houses in the village were drawn as a token of respect. The urn, which had been enclosed in an oak-panelled rectangular casket, was deposited in the first carriage, and upon arrival at the church, was taken and borne to the Chancel entrance by Mr. C. Whiting and Mr. C. Smith, tenants of the deceased. Engraved upon the brass plate of the casket was the following inscription:
In loving memory of
EDWARD HANSLOPE WATTS,
Born 12th June, 1845;
Died 21st July, 1912, aged 67 years
Mrs. Watts, who was heavily veiled, carried a bunch of white daisies, whilst other relatives carried bouquets of grasses, sweet peas and other flowers, which were later placed in the vault. The service was quite simple but very impressive. The opening sentences, the Psalm, and the committal portion of the service was read by the Bishop of Edinburgh (the Rev. Somerset Walpole), a relative of the Squire's. The lesson was read by the Rev. Harry Trower, Vicar of Finmere, and the Rev. W. J. Harkness, the Vicar of Hanslope, was also robed. There were no hymns and no music, with the one exception that Mr. H. Middleton, the organist, rendered "O rest in the Lord" at the conclusion of the service.
Prior to the interment, the Bishop alluded to the sadness of the tragedy, the great bereavement sustained by the two families, and concluded by making an earnest appeal for every consideration, kindness and sympathy to be given to the widow of the gamekeeper and her little children.
Reverently the casket was placed in the family vault, which is situated on the north side of the chancel, where rest relatives of Mrs. Watts, who have long since passed beyond. It had been fifty years since the vault was last opened. There are seven members of the family interred therein.
At the close of the service, when the mourners had taken their departure, the villagers were allowed the privilege of taking a last look at the casket, and at the wreaths which were hung round the church. For over an hour and a half the vault was laid open to the villagers for inspection, and then the door was closed.
|