Rushden people have heard with deep regret the news of the death of Mr. Joseph Wykes Ashdowne, who passed away on Monday morning at his residence, 45, Bostock-avenue, Northampton. Mr. Ashdowne, who was 65 years of age, had been suffering for the past five weeks from an internal complaint, and had been attended by Dr. Cooke. He was for some years the manager of the Rushden branch of the Northamptonshire Union Bank.

A native of Maidstone, Mr. Ashdowne spent his youth in Northampton, residing with his mother in York-road. He was well-known in the county, for he had for many years held responsible positions in connection with the Northamptonshire Union Bank. Commencing his business career with the Union Bank at Wellingborough, Mr. Ashdowne afterwards spent some years at Northampton, and was then promoted to be manager of the branch of the bank at Oundle. He was appointed manager of the Rushden branch in 1889, and held that position until 1908, when ill-health compelled him to retire, and he removed to Northampton.

Mr. Ashdowne was the eldest brother of the late Mr. Tom Ashdowne, well-known for many years as a practising solicitor in Northampton. He has one surviving brother who lives in London, and a sister who has been residing with him in Northampton.

He leaves a wife and eleven children, the eldest of whom (Mr. H. Wykes Ashdowne) is associated with the Northants Union Bank in their branch at Wellingborough. The rest of the family are widely scattered, three of the brothers being abroad.

At Rushden

During his nineteen years’ residence at Rushden Mr. Ashdowne entered largely into the life of the town. By virtue of his manager-ship of the Bank, he held the important offices of treasurer of the Rushden Urban District Council and treasurer of the Borough of Higham Ferrers. He helped to found, and was the first secretary of the Rushden Nursing Association, and he also gave much practical help and advice to other charitable and philanthropic institutions in the Rushden district. He was in his younger days an ardent tennis player, being one of the founders of the Rushden Tennis Club, of which he was president. His speeches at the Mayor’s banquets at Higham Ferrers, in which he spoke in his capacity of borough treasurer, revealed the deep love he had for the district, and he would often refer to the suggested amalgamation of the two towns of Higham Ferrers and Rushden.

When he first came to Rushden, in the year 1889, the premises of the Northants Union Bank were in Church-parade, and he went to live at Campbell House, Higham Ferrers, until the Bank built the present premises in High-street. On Rushden being made a local Sanitary Authority, he was appointed the first treasurer of the Local Board, on May 19th, 1891. He held the position until May 13th, 1908, when he retired through illness. On the inauguration of the Higham and Rushden Water Board he was made treasurer on Sept. 15th, 1902, and continued until failing health made him relinquish the post and he was succeeded by Mr. F. L. Heygate.

The Funeral

took place yesterday in the Rushden cemetery. The coffin was fetched from 45a, Bostock-avenue, Northampton, at 12.45, and conveyed by motor-hearse direct to Rushden station, where it awaited the mourners, who arrived by the 2.9 train. The cortege then proceeded direct to the cemetery. The first portion of the burial service was conducted in the cemetery chapel by the Ven. A. Kitchin (Rector), who also officiated at the graveside.

Amongst those who assembled to witness the obsequies were Messrs. T. G. Fraser (manager of the Kettering branch of the Northamptonshire Union Bank), H. Cripwell (representing the Rushden branch), J. Jaques, J. Sargent, G. S. Mason, J. S. Mason, C. Claridge, G. Selwood, W. H. Nevill Hewitt, F. E. Preston, and Ald. G. Miller.

Mr. John Claridge, J.P., C.C., was unable to attend owing to an important meeting at Northampton, and Mr. F. L. Heygate (manager of the Rushden branch of the Northants Union Bank) could not be present, being away from home.

The coffin, which was of polished oak with teak mouldings, brass fittings, and ebony handles, bore the inscription:-

JOSEPH WYKES ASHDOWNE
Died May 26th, 1913
Aged 65 years

The mourners comprised:- Mrs. Ashdowne (widow), Mr. H. W. Ashdowne (eldest son), Miss w. Ashdowne (daughter), Mr. A. Ashdowne (son), Mr. A. Ashdowne (brother), London, Mr. H. A. Jepson (brother-in-law), Hastings, Mrs. P. L. Forwood (sister-in-law), Warnham.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. E. Archer and Son, Northampton, the motor-hearse was supplied by Mr. Frisby, Northampton, and the coaches by Mr. Asher Abbott, Rushden.

The wreaths were as follows:-

To my darling, from his devoted wife.

To our dear father, from his loving children.

With deepest sympathy, from Mrs. F. C. Cutlan.

To dear uncle, with Georgie and Frances Hunts’ kind love.

To father, in loving memory from his loving boy and Florrie. “At rest.”

In loving remembrance, from Emma and Arthur.

With much sympathy. A tribute to a family friendship of long standing from Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Nevill Hewitt, Wellingborough.

In loving remembrance, from the manager and staff of the Northants Union Bank, Rushden.