Stanwick was in mourning on Thursday afternoon. Silent villagers lined the approach to St. Lawrence Church, where the funeral of Mr. James Drabble, of Hill House, took place.

Inside the church gathered many personal and business friends from all parts of the country.

Mr Drabble, head of one of Northamptonshire’s biggest building firms, the Drabble Construction Co. Ltd., died on Saturday at Grantham Hospital from injuries received in a car crash at Great Gonerby on Friday. He was 45.

A great sportsman, Mr. Drabble had been generous in the village. Recently he provided a complete new floor for Stanwick British Legion Village Hall; yesterday his body was carried through the churchyard gates that he provided.

Six employees acted as pall bearers. Buses brought workers from Bletchley and other districts where the firm has branches.

A short service was conducted by the Rector of Stanwick, the Rev. D. A. W. Brown. Two hymns and a psalm were sung, the organist being Mr. J. Baringer. [a long list of mourners follows]