The Funerals

In their separate ways, the funerals of the two men attracted equal interest, and evidence of both is still available today, since echoes of this story span the centuries.

Squire Watts

In preparation for the Squire's funeral, the family vault was opened on Wednesday July 24th. As the Wolverton Express of July 26th,1912 reported, it had been closed since the death of his aunt Amelia Watts 50 years earlier.

Squire Watts was cremated at Golder's Green, London, on Thursday July 25th 1912 and his ashes were returned to Hanslope Park to be interred in the family vault the following day. Cremation was still slightly uncommon, not having been introduced into Britain till the 1880's.

According to the account of the funeral in the Wolverton Express, the Bucks Constabulary turned out in force and led the procession as a mark of respect for the Squire Watts' work for Stony Stratford Magistrates.

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The funeral procession of Squire Watts passing through the streets of Hanslope, which were thronged with people. In accordance with the custom of the day, all curtains were drawn at all the windows in the village A wreath from the children of the local school - Squire Watts was the Chairman of Governors. The door has been identified as the one in the north-east corner of the south aisle of Hanslope Church.

By a remarkable coincidence, the hearse which took the ashes of Squire Watts to the Parish Church still exists. For a number of years it was housed at the back of the Church, till in 1971 the Parish Council presented it to Buckinghamshire County Museum.

The Hanslope glass hearse, in store at Buckinghamshire County Museum.

Photo by kind permission of Bucks County Museum.
"Roundabout", the local correspondent writing the "Bucks Whispers" column in the Northampton Herald of Friday July 26th, reports

That the scene at the funeral of Mr. E. H. Watts, J.P., was of a solemn and reverential character.

That the whole village of Hanslope mourned for a beloved Squire.

That the chancel and pulpit were literally covered with beautiful wreaths.

That such a display has not been seen in North Bucks for many years.

That the church was crowded during the service, and many lingered to look at these tributes.

That a large number also availed themselves of the privilege of entering the vault before it was closed up.

That Hanslope Feast, this week, was shorn of much of its usual festive character.

Press reports on Squire Watts' funeral

Bucks Standard, Saturday July 27th. This is the fullest account and gives a fairly comprehensive list of those who attended, including villagers of Hanslope.

Northampton Herald, Friday July 26th.

Wolverton Express, Friday July 26th.

William Farrow

William Farrow's funeral had taken place on the previous evening (Thursday). The event excited similar levels of interest and attendance, and was not without problems, the principal one being of course whether or not he could be buried in the churchyard in consecrated ground.

The Bishop of Oxford was consulted and gave his permission. In doing so he earned approval. The Wolverton Express local correspondent, "Woffler", comments :

Writing to a local contemporary with reference to the funeral of Farrow, A. H. S. S. says: "Three persons have come well out of this ordeal: (1) The Bishop of Oxford, who allowed Farrow to be buried with Christian rites in consecrated ground; (2) the Vicar of the parish, who conducted the service; (3) a squire of a neighbouring village who, in the midst of his grief at the loss of a friend, found time to send a substantial gift to the widow in her distress. These gifts of God tend to lighten the burdened soul, and will not go unrewarded."

The funeral itself was dramatic in its timing and setting. A grave had been prepared on the south side of the churchyard, and this seems to have been noticed by members of the village, as a crowd of several hundred were at the gates. The ceremony took place at dead of night, under the stars and illuminated by one solitary lantern. Annie Farrow and her children said goodbye to the coffin at the door of the cottage they were shortly to leave, and remained at home while four bearers accompanied William Farrow on his final journey.

Though only the funeral party and the press were allowed into the churchyard, a crowd reportedly watched the burial from the other side of a nearby hedge. Local tradition has it that the grave might not have been in the churchyard itself, but right next to the boundary, which later moved such that the grave is now included within the churchyard. However, no contemporary newspaper reports mention this, and certainly there are other graves of a similar period buried along a similar line.
The grave of William Farrow near the south-east corner of Hanslope churchyard.

One of the two ash trees in the shade of which he was laid to rest - according to the Bucks Standard report - still stands.
The drama of the story was not yet over. Despite the considerable public sympathy which was extended to Annie Farrow (the newspaper reports have the coroner, the Bishop of Edinburgh, and a neighbouring Squire all variously offering condolences, consideration and financial help) things took an unexpected turn when she subsequently had a gravestone erected.

The grave of William Farrow in Hanslope churchyard, now somewhat worn by time, the elements and vegetation.

The inscription reads:

IHS

in Loving memory of

William Farrow

The dearly beloved husband of Annie Farrow

who died July 21st 1912 aged 45 years

waiting till all shall be revealed

The final enigmatic line seems to have enraged local opinion to such an extent that there were reportedly threats to smash the stone with hammers, and Newport Pagnell Police were forced to mount a 24-hr guard until tempers cooled.

Quite why opinions should have changed so dramatically has never been fully explained, and the Society has no further details on the matter.

The meaning of the inscription, and Annie Farrow's reasons for having it done, have never been revealed.
Press reports on William Farrow's funeral

The dramatic nature of the circumstances of William Farrow's funeral are related in the two press reports below. The usual caveats over accuracy apply - for example, one of the four bearers' names is repeated in the Northampton Herald account, which also locates the grave on the north side of the churchyard.

Bucks Standard, Saturday July 27th.

Northampton Herald, Friday July 26th.

Read the aftermath of the tragedy