Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. T. R. FREEMAN.

A FATAL HEART ATTACK.

Much painful surprise and deep regret were felt on Wednesday at Monkton Combe when it became known that Mr. Thomas Richard Freeman, of the Manor House, had expired suddenly on Tuesday night.

Mr. Freeman, who was 60 years of age, left home in the full vigour of his manhood in the morning for Stroud to fulfil a business engagement, being the
director of an undertaking in his native town.

He had been suffering from a cold, and he appeared rather tired, but as energetic and bright as ever.

While talking to the Vicar of Monkton (the Rev. P. Warrington) and members of his family Mr. Freeman was seized with a severe heart attack.

Dr. Melsome, of Bath, was telephoned for, and motored to Monkton Combe with all dispatch, but he arrived too late, for Mr. Freeman had breathed his last.

His wife, his children, and the Vicar did everything possible for him, but their efforts to prolong
life were of no avail.

Mr. Freeman had been a leading personality in the life of Monkton Combe for a long period.

He was quite a young man when he settled there from Gloucestershire, and took up the business of a flock manufacturer at the local mills.

A man of much shrewdness and business acumen, he developed and improved the undertaking in a, most progressive manner.

He introduced a new system for cleansing the rag, acquired another mill at Freshford, and converted the enterprise into a limited liability company.

His two sous, Messrs. E. H. Freeman and T. L. Freeman, have been associated with their father in the conduct of the mills for some years past, and are directors of the company.

For a long while Mr. Freeman had represented Monkton Combe on the Bath Board of Guardians and Rural District Council, and was never afraid to express his views on any subject coming before those bodies.

For 17 years he had been Vicar's Churchwarden at Monkton Combe, and had given much valued help to successive incumbents.

A few years ago he presented to the church the carved oak Communion rails, and a great deal of the renovation which has been recently effected in connection with the war memorial was due to his energy and financial help.

By his death the poor of the parish will lose a generous friend.

Mr. Freeman leaves a widow, two sons and one daughter.

The funeral will be at Monkton Combe at two o'clock this (Saturday) afternoon.