Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

WITH MILITARY HONOURS

FUNERAL OF SERGT. A. E. FERRIS, OF COMBE DOWN.

The funeral of Sergt. Albert Edward Ferris, of the Somerset L.L.. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferris, of 5, Rock Cottages, Combe Down, took place in the churchyard at Monkton Combe on Monday afternoon with full military honours.

Sergt. Ferris, who was 33 years of age, died on
October 4th at the Tooting Military Hospital from wounds received in action.

In civilian life he was a motor-man employed by the Bath Electric Tramways (Ltd.).

The first part of the service was read at the Combe Down Church, the Rev. Howard Wright officiating. Mr. W. E. P. Grunger was at the organ, and the hymn was “On the Resurrection. Morning After the service, Mr. Granger played the Dead March in Saul.”

The chief mourners were the widow, Mr. and Mrs. Ferris (father and mother), Mrs. M. J. Williams (sister), Miss A. Perris and the Misses Beatrice and Rose Ferris (sisters), Mr. II. Pearce (cousin), Mr. P. West (cousin), Mrs. Warren (mother-in-law), Mr. and Mr. Hodges,
Mr. Crew, Mr. and Miss Helps. Sergeant Cadwallader (from the Taunton Depot) represented Sergt, Ferris's Regiment.

There was a large congregation. Members of the Monkton Combe Parish Council who attended were Messrs. H. J. Stickland (chairman), T. Ellett, W. Miles, G. Treasure, and E. P. Page (clerk). The last-named is also churchwarden at Combe Down. Mr. J. Riddle, Mr.
Page's co-warden, was also present.

The Bath Electric Tramways Co. was represented by Chief Inspector Evry, Inspector W. Gallop, and Motor-men Backhouse, Dicks, Dyer, Greening and Windsor.

The arrangements for the military ceremony were made jointly by the 719th Company of the A.S.C. stationed at the Royal Victoria Park, who provided the gun-carriage and supervised the more important details, and by the staff at the Canadian Casualty and Discharge Depot, Prior Park. Lieutenant Middlemost, A.S.C.. was in command. The A.S.C. provided the firing party, and one of their number played a coronach on the bag-pipes. The Canadian. Depot
sent an escort of 19 men and two trumpeters. Sergt. Whiley was in charge; and six sergeants from the depot - Staff-Sergt. Trim, and Sergts. Claxton, Hayes, M Boyle, Mitchell, and Vail - acted as pall-bearers.

The coffin was conveyed on the gun-carriage, and covered with the Union Jack. On the coffin were placed Sergt. Ferris's cap, belt, and side-arms.

The Roy. Le l'ovie officiated at the interment in the churchyard at Monkton Combe, in the absence of the Vicar, the Rev. Montagu Beauchamp, who has accepted a military chaplaincy.

After the service the customary three volleys were fired, and the buglers sounded the "Last Post."
The senders of wreaths included Sergt. Ferris's parents and his widow; his three sisters; Mrs. M. J. Williams: the Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs. H. T. Hatt); his colleagues in the Bath Tramway service; Mins Galindo; Miss M. E. Warren; Clara and Eva Dowding; Mr. and Mrs. Hodges; Mr. and Mrs. Crew: Mr. West; Messrs. Duly and Steel: Miss Mathews and Miss Mace.

Mr. E. H. Wherrett, of Combe Down, was the undertaker.