Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

MILITARY FUNERAL AT COMBE DOWN

INTERMENT OF SAPPER FRED MACEY, R.E.

With full military honours the funeral took place on Saturday of Sapper Fred Macey, of the Wessex Royal Engineers, who through perils of war." has served and died for his country.

Sapper Macey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Macey, of Tyning Read, Combe Down. The deceased hero died in hospital at Guildford, Surrey, as the result of wounds received in action.

His remains were brought home on previous Thursday, and were laid to rest in the churchyard at Monkton Combe

The family mourners were: Mr. and Mrs J. Macey
(father and brother), Mrs. Moss (sister), Private A. Macey, Motor Transport A.S.C. brother), Mrs. J Macey (daughter-in-law), Mis Macey (sister), Mr. and Mr. A. Macey (grandfather and grandmother), Mrs. Lingwood aunt) Mr. and Mrs. G. Mary (aunt and uncle),W B B Macey uncle, Mrs. Sperrin (aunt), Ms. F Han- conk (aunt), Mr G Robbins (aunt), and Miss Bobbins (cousin).

The coffin, which was covered by a Union Jack, lent by Major J. M T. Reilly, recruiting officer for Bath, was borne on the shoulders of six members of the Wessex Royal Engineers from the Bath Depot, under the charge of Corporal T. Perry

The bearers were Driver P. A. Mintett, Sappers C. B Talbot, W. Jones, Dudderidge, Martin, and Baker.

Preceding the hearse bearing the coffin, marched a company of 3rd/2nd South Western Mounted Brigade Field Ambulance (R.A.M.C.), G under the command of Lieutenant Cummings. Sergeant Martin was also in attendance. A company of the Wessex Royal Engineers, in charge of Lance Corporal H. Cole, brought up the rear of the mournful
procession.

On reaching the Church of Holy Trinity, Combe Down, the Cortege was met by the Vicar (the Rev. Dr. M Sweetapple) and the Rer.- Baker (curate) and the choir, with whom walked Mr. E. Easterfield, headmaster of Monkton Combe Junior School wearing
his Academic robes.

As the coffin was borne on the aisle and placed in the chancel the organist (Mr. W. E. P. Granger) played "O, rest In the Lord. There was a very large congregation, and with the presence of the military the church was filled.

The service was of a most impressive character.

The hymn, On the Resurrection Morning after which Psalm a chanted.

The lesson was read by the Rev Baker. The Vicar, in the course of his address from the chancel steps said that Sapper Fred Macey was not the only one from that parish whom they were remembering that day.

Of those who had also given their lives in this terrific
conflict for their country they remembered Private R. Blight, Sapper Herbert Noate, and Edward James Badder, who went down on November 1st in the Monmouth.

Their departed friend, whose mortal remains they were about to commit to the ground, had died for his
country he had laid down his life in a noble cause He (the Vicar) saw a little time ago a notice of another who died in India saving a wounded comrade, and the beautiful notice in the paper which announced his death was worded thus: He saw the ILLEGIBLE face to face, and he gave himself gladly.

He believed that their brother had given himself gladly for his country and for them.

He had died in a noble cause, and when they came to die might they feel that their lives had best spent nobly, and that they died in a noble cause. Their friend too. had shown personal example.

The solemn funeral service brought home to them the awfulness of the times and the greatness of this conflict. They remembered the line What can I do for thee, England, my England; What can I do for thee; What would I not do for thee, England, my Everyone of them had to do this for their country do their bit.

One other thin he would say why would see him again. They must never think of these lives as
cut short. One thing they very feeling at this time more than another was the utter nobility of
all the young lives which were laid down in France and other places. They know could not be They would him again. Let them think of wonderful life which he had gone. He did not for one moment believe that he was asleep but had gone to fuller and a greater life, to better activities, more to occupy his powers (he might have employed well) and to employ them better advantage in that life. What they had was to bring that wonderful life Beyond So in their midst, and more closely to them. ILLEGIBLE But all was not sorrow inspire them, when they thought of that one from their parish, at whose grave that day they were privileged to and, having given himself for his God, for the
country and for them. After the singing of the Bountiful hymn, For the Saints, the first verse of
the National Anthem, was sung.

As the coffin was carried from the church, followed by the mourners and the military, the Dead March in Saul played.

The interment was made at Monkton Combe, the Burial Office being road by Dr. Sweetapple The Last Post was sounded by Trumpeter A Clark.

The floral tributes were numerous, and the senders
were:

Father and Mother and Slaters: Jim And Tales Aunt Polly and Uncle Georgi Cousin Noison and Bosa and other little cousin. Cousin Edith: Aunt Alice: Len and Also: The Viene and Mrs. H Darrell Sweet-apple: Mather and Miss Morico: Mis ATT Air. and Mrs. I
Whittaker Mr. and Mrs. Bailey (Combe Down) G. William, A and C Pearce and C. Pentco: Mabel Chappell;" Galindo and C. L. Dowd- I Hanhed with sincerest Miss Hardyman; the staff and scholars Combe Down Upper School his fellow Shopmates,
the Tram Foundry Do Electric Tramw Co. M W Leer METS Elio Bencrufty Mr. and Mr. Ellett

The funeral arrangements were carried out by MR. Fisher, of Combe Down.