The funeral took place at Wymington on Monday of the late Mr Thomas Dickerson, for 20 years postmaster of the village, and for over 42 years a teacher in the Independent Wesleyan Sunday school, of which for a long period he was the esteemed superintendent. The funeral service was held in the Independent Wesleyan Chapel, and—at a request made by Mr Dickerson before his death—was conducted by Mr Thos Surridge, of Rushden, a well-known local preacher in the Wellingborough Independent Wesleyan Circuit, with which the cause at Wymington is connected. The Rev C J Keeler, (Rushden) and the Rev S J Smith (Wellingborough) assisted in the service, which was very largely attended, as was the subsequent interment in the churchyard, the funeral, in fact, being the largest which has ever taken place at Wymington, a striking proof of the respect and affection with which the deceased gentleman was held. The late Mr Dickerson, who died on July 26th, was 67 years of age. He leaves a widow, one son (who works at Rushden and resides at Wymington), and one daughter (who lives at Wilby), besides a step-daughter. There are about five grand-children.
Mr John Parker, of Higham Ferrers, was the preacher at the Wymington Independent Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday, and he made a very touching reference to the death of Mr Dickerson and to the great loss the cause had sustained.
Ever since there has been a post office at Wymington, Mr Dickerson has been in charge. Deceased was not only the superintendent of the Independent Wesleyan Sunday school, but he was president of the Band of Hope, and also the Society Steward in connection with the chapel. He was a most devoted supporter of the cause, attending the two Sunday services, besides taking his place twice in the school each Sunday, and this he did on an average 50 Sundays a year—or 200 services per annum—besides being present at the week-day meetings. His illness during the last four months prevented his attendance at the services, and it is stated that he had never missed a Sunday school anniversary until this year. No man was more loved by the children of the village than Mr Dickerson, who had a very winsome was with the young people, and it is said that he was never known to pass a child in the streets without speaking to it.
In the earlier days of the Parish council in Wymington, the late Mr Dickerson was a member, and he rendered useful service in that capacity for some years. Deceased was a man of very generous disposition: he was in fact, liberal almost beyond his means.
The Interment
The principal mourners at the interment were: Mrs T Dickerson (widow), Mr A Dickerson (son), Mrs and Mr J Odell (daughter and son-in-law), Mr and Mrs W Ginns (step-daughter and son-in-law), Lily Winifred, Dorothea and Vesta (grand-children), Mr C Dickerson and Mrs A Dickerson (brother and daughter-in-law), Mr J Dickerson and Mrs J Barley (brother and sister), Mrs E Rivett and Mrs Layram (sister and niece), Lce-Corpl. A Barley and Miss M Dickerson (nephew and niece), Miss E Whiteman and Miss G Whiteman (nieces), Mr J Barley and Mrs J Dickerson (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr C Norris, of Irchester, and Mrs Howe, of Wellingborough (brother-in-law and niece), Mrs Rogers, of Wellingborough, and Mrs P Wesley, of Irchester (niece and friend), Mrs Shaw of Northampton (cousin), and Mr Field (postmaster, Rushden), Mr J West and Mrs Whiting (friends), Mrs W J Rivett, of Wellingborough, and Mrs J Houghton (friends).
There also followed the deceased’s Sunday school class of girls, Messrs A Gadsby, George Denton (trustess), W Guttridge, E A Mayhew, E T Partridge (local preachers), J Clark, Hinde, J Norman, E Wrighton, J Willmott, J S Clipson, J Spencer (representing the Circuit), and the following members of the Independent Wesleyan Chapel: Messrs J T Pendered, G Woolard, G Church, W Lilley, A Summerfield, Mrs H A Desborough, Mrs J T Pendered, Mrs Bromage, and Mrs Stapleton; Representing the choir, Mr Desborough and Mr F Boughton; and representing the Band of Hope Union, Mr W Desborough.
The coffin bore the inscription:-
Thomas Dickerson
Died July 26th 1917
Aged 67 years
“Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”
The service in the chapel was of a very impressive character. After the hymn “There is a land of pure delight,” prayer was offered by the Rev C J Keeler. Mr T Surridge read the lesson, and gave an address, after which the hymn “A few more years shall roll” was sung, and the simple reverent, and impressive service ended. Mr Desborough was the organist. Mr Surridge officiated at the graveside.
[A long list of The floral tributes follows]
Mrs Dickerson and the family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the many friends for sympathy with them in their great bereavement.
The Interment Service
The largest memorial service ever held in the parish of Wymington took place on Monday evening, conducted by the Rev. S J Smith, who preached an impressive sermon from the words “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the hoy of thy Lord.” Mr T Surridge and Mr E T Partridge also took part in the service. The hymns were: “Nearer, my God to Thee,” “A good soldier of Jesus Christ,” (sung by the deceased’s Sunday school class), “Jesu, lover of my soul,” and “Jesus, still lead on.” After the Benediction, Mr Headland, the organist, played the “Dead March in Saul.”
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