Rushden Research Group: People - Edward Campbell Browning Obituary

Rushden Argus, Friday 1^st January 1915
From the archive of Rowan Flack
Former Clinical Nurse Officer, Rushden Hospital, 1966-1990.
Transcribed by Greville Watson, 2008

Laid to Rest

Funeral of Mr E.C.Browning at Rushden

The funeral of Mr Edward Campbell Browning, JP, MA, of Rushden House, took place on Thursday amid general signs of the deepest sympathy and respect.

The cortège started from the deceased gentleman’s residence a little before 3pm and the route to the parish church was lined by those who held the late Mr Browning in the highest esteem. The coffin was met at the church by the robed clergy and the choir, the Rector (Rev. Percy Robson, MA) reading the sentences as the coffin was borne to the chancel steps.

The organist, Mr J.Enos Smith played; ‘I Know that my Redeemer Liveth’ – ‘O Rest in the Lord’ – ‘Blessed are the Departed’ – Tchaikovsky’s ‘Funeral March’ and Chopin’s ‘Funeral March’ during the service, the hymns, ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past’ and ‘Now the Labourer’s Task is O’er’ were impressively sung. The lesson was read by Canon Browning and the prayers were read by the Rev. Percy Robson. Those in the church included Mr F.Knight, JP, Mr Hugh Sartoris, JP, Mr J.Claridge, JP, CC, Mr C.Claridge, Mr W.M.Hensman, Mr G.S.Mason, Mr G.H.Skinner, Mr G.Miller, CA, JP, Mr R.Marriott and Mrs Greenfield, Rushden, Mr G.Newcombe (Knuston), Mr Owen Parker, JP, Rev. H.K.Fry, MA, RD (Higham Ferrers), Rev. A.Kitchen (Podington), Colonel Hill, CB (Wollaston), Mr W.Hirst Simpson and Miss Simpson (Chelveston).

The body was encased in an elm shell and plain oak coffin with solid brass furniture and bore the inscription:

E.C.Browning

Rushden House

Died December 21^st 1914

Aged 78

The service at the graveside was conducted by Canon Browning and the Guard of Honour of the Rushden Boy Scouts, under Scout Master F.E.Preston, was present at the interment.

The grave was bricked and lined with violets, ivy, chrysanthemums and maidenhair ferns by the Head Gardener, Mr G.Woollard and Mr F.Betts.

The family mourners were, Mrs Browning (Widow), Mr Campbell Browning (Son), Miss Mary Browning, Miss Rosa Browning, Mrs F.J.Simpson, Mrs Short (Lincoln), daughters, Mrs James Browning (Daughter in law), Mr Harry Browning (London, nephew), Lieut. F.J.Simpson (Son in law), Mr C.Pratt-Barlow (Plymouth, brother in law), Mrs Montague Browning (Branfield, Herts, sister in law), Mrs Julius Arkwright (Stoney Grange, Kimbolton), Mr F.Daubeny (London), Mr C.Brooks and Mr F.Beanford (Sussex).

There was a beautiful collection of wreaths from the following:

Widow and children, Mr and Mrs Campbell Browning, Mrs James Browning, Lieut. and Mrs F.J.Simpson, Di, Tiny and Spoo, Geoffrey and Peter, Jim and Nancy, Captain and Mrs F.Browning, Miss Grace Browning, Mr and Mrs W.H.Simpson, Mrs A.H.Sartoris, General Sir William and Lady Seymour (Brighton), Mr Beauford, Mrs Arkwright, Mrs W.Kitchin, Mrs Kennedy (Onslow Square, London), Dr Crew, Dr and Mrs Greenfield, Indoor and Outdoor servants, Boy Scouts, Mr H.Lack (Wellingborough), and Mr and Mrs Woollard (Wymington).

Undertakers, Messrs Chillington & Tomlin, Queen Street, Rushden.