Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

LAST OF FAMOUS ORCHESTRA

DEATH OF Mr. H. J. FURBER AT COMBE DOWN

Mr. Henry John Furber, who died at his home, "Merry Mount," Midford Road, Combe Down, on Sunday, was the last survivor of the original Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Orchestra. He was 93.

He was in the orchestra in the early days when Sullivan produced "The Sorcerer," and he
stayed with the Company as first trumpet for 21 years.

Mr. Furber used to tell the story of how at a rehearsal one morning he told Sullivan that he might resign since, having lost his front teeth, he was no longer able to perform with his usual ability.

"I have put you in that seat," Sullivan replied," and there you will have to sit.

That was only one of Mr. Furber's memories. As a trumpeter he had played in all the operas of that great composer, and later as a violinist.

He was a State trumpeter to Queen Victoria, and he served in the Life Guards.

His violin has been his greatest friend. Some years ago when his doctor advised that he should go to sea, he travelled on the line from England to Alexandria playing on the boat for the entertainment of passengers.

In recent years the Jubilee of King George V. and the Coronation of George VI. brought back memories to Mr. Furber of other great occasions of State, when his trumpet heralded the Queen at her Jubilee and welcomed Princess Alexandra to the shores of Britain.

Often in His Garden.

When all these things were accomplished, Mr. Furber retired to Bath, and to many he has been a familiar figure tending his garden on Combe Down even at the age of 90.

It was three years ago that people first missed the old gentleman when, for reasons of health, he had to
retire indoors away from the flowers he loved.

But in the house there was still music. Though the fiddle was seldom. taken from its case, there was the wireless, which often provided the melodies of the Victorian age in which he lived and worked.

Mr. Furber was a native of Somerset. His grandfather was a farmer at Wellington, who finding that his son had no natural love of the land allowed him to follow his own bent, and he made violins and played upon them. So it was that Henry John was born into a musical family. In this manner the violin became his companion for life.The Funeral.

The funeral took place at Lansdown Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. A. R. Granht, rector of Walcot, officiated.

The following were the mourners: Mrs. H. J. Furber (wife), Miss C. A. Thomson, Mrs. H. Bishop (cousin), Nurse Terry, Nurse McCreesh, Nurse Smale, Mr. W. Rayner, Mr. F. Forbes. (London), and Mr. W. F. Bunt.
The flowers were from Mrs. H. J. Furber; Miss C. A. Thomson: Mr. and Mrs. H. Bishop, John and Allen Simpson, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Simpson (cousins); Mrs. Edmund Bennett; Mr. and Mrs. F. Watson; Mr. and Mrs. William Rayner; Mr. and Mrs. Tear and Velda; Miss E. A. Southern; the Misses E. and S. Russell; Mr. and Mrs. F. Forbes; Mr. and Mrs. W. E.
Thomson; Mr. and Mrs. N. McStea and family; Miss E. Thomson; Mrs. H. Strange; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Bunt, June and Mary; Miss Ruth Wood; the Misses James and Richings; Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Lambert; Mr. and Mrs. J. H. and R. H. Lambert; Nurse Terry and Nurse McCreesh; Nurse Smale; all at 41, Bathwick Street; Mr. and Mrs. Ashpole and Angela; Miss Barbara
Grant; Mr. and Mrs. W. Taylor; the Misses Margaret and Betty Adams.

The funeral arrangements were made by T. G. Harding and Son, Walcot Street, Bath.