Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

DEATH OF REV. A. RICHARDSON.

A FORMER VICAR OF COMBE DOWN.

HIS LOCAL WORK REVIEWED.

The death occurred at Cheltenham, on Tuesday, of the Rev. Alfred Richardson formerly Vicar of Combe Down.

Deceased, who was 72 years of age, was curate of St. Benedict, Glastonbury (1888-90); Vicar of Brislington, Bristol (1800-1902); and then became Vicar of Combe Down, retiring in 1913.

He was a son of the late Mr. Joshua Richardson, of Lisburn, County Down.

At Combe Down, Mr. Richardson was succeeded by the Rev. H. D. S. Sweetapple, D.D., who subsequently became Vicar of Box, and assumed the additional surname of Horlock.

Mr. Richardson possessed a kindly disposition, and had many friends, not only in his own parish, where he succeeded the Rev. S. B. Benson, but in Bath and the surrounding district.

He was particularly interested in the architectural associations of his parish.

Mr. Richardson's only son, Mr. Terence Richardson, held commissioned rank during the European War, and died while serving in Palestine. His memory is commemorated by a memorial tablet in Combe Down Church, which was dedicated, together with the war
memorial window, after the Armistice.

Mr. Richardson was present at this service, and this
was one of the last occasions on which he paid a visit to his former parish.

OF CLERICAL ANCESTRY.

Mr. Richardson came of an ancient clerical stock. One of his ancestors, the Rev. John Richardson, was Rector of Longhall, in County Armagh, in King James I's reign, the family then holding a commission to colonise Ulster.

Mr. Richardson was born at Lembeg, near Lisburn, Co. Antrim, which borough members of his family represented in Parliament for many years. He was educated at Grove House, Tottenham, and married, in 1875, Emma Leatham, of Gunnergate Hall, Yorkshire.

After some years spent in travelling, and in lay
mission work, he entered Wells Theological College in 1886, and was ordained deacon at Wells Cathedral in 1888, when he accepted the curacy of St. Benedict's, Glastonbury.

He received priest's orders in 1890, and was in that year appointed by the late Bishop, Lord Arthur Hervey, to the living of Brislington, near Bristol, where he remained 12 years, resigning in 1902, in which year he was presented with the living of Combe Down by the late Bishop of Bath and Wells on behalf of the Rev. C. G. Acworth, the former patron. The patronage of the living is now in the hands of the Rector of Bath.

WORK AT COMBE DOWN.

After his retirement from the living of Combe Down in December, 1913, Mr. Richardson was presented by the parishioners with a silver loving-cup, in commemoration of his 11 years' ministry.

At this leave-taking reference was made to the fact that during Mr. Richardson's incumbency the church had been renovated, and a choir vestry had been added.

In addition, between £700 and £800 had been raised for the Church Schools, and the value of the living had been raised from £140 a year to £215 net.

This was accomplished by obtaining new grants from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and by additional pew rents.

Mr. Richardson will be buried today at Brislington Churchyard, by the side of his wife, who predeceased him a few weeks ago. The service will commence at 2 p.m.