Rushden Echo and Argus Friday 5 July 1940, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Deaths
BAXTER – On July 2 at “Warneford House”, Wellingborough road, Rushden, Leonard Baxter, aged 73 years.

Local Obituary
Mr Leonard Baxter - A local school manager of long experience, Mr Leonard Baxter, passed away in his sleep on Tuesday afternoon at his residence “Warneford House”, Wellingborough-road, Rushden. Aged 73 years, he had had a long illness which became more acute during the last month.

Mr Baxter was a native of Higham Ferrers, but had spent most of his years at Rushden, for about 12 months he served in the South African War as a member of St John’s Ambulance Brigade, and for 30 years he was foreman clicker in the services of Messrs. Jaques and Clark, boot manufacturer, Rushden.

A member of the I.L.P. in the early days of the Labour movement, Mr Baxter afterwards stood firmly for the Labour cause.

He held no office in the party, but he served the public as an overseer until the system was changed, and his able service as a School Manager extended over many years and included more than one period as chairman.

Mr Baxter retired from business life several years ago, but continued his school work and devoted some of his time to bowls, being a popular member of the Spencer Park B.C. He leaves a widow (his second wife), and his two sons are Mr Charles Baxter, the newly-appointed secretary of the Rushden and District Branch of the Boot Operatives’ Union, and Mr Leonard Baxter, of Weston Favell, who is in the Telephone Department of the Post Office.

The funeral will take place at 12 this (Friday) afternoon, and a service will be held at the house.

Rushden Echo and Argus Friday 12 July 1940, transcribed by Nicky Bates

Funeral of Mr L Baxter
Flowers from his own garden included among the family wreaths at the funeral of Mr Leonard Baxter, “Warneford House”, Wellingborough-road, Rushden, who died on Tuesday week.

Mr Baxter was a keen garden and he won numerous awards at local flower shows.

The funeral service was held at the house on Friday afternoon and was conducted by the Rev. EE Bromage, minister of the Wellingborough road Mission Church.

The principal mourners were: Mrs AE Baxter (widow), Mr C Baxter and Mr LH Baxter (sons), Mr E Baxter and Mrs C Baxter, Mr F Baxter and Mrs LH Baxter (brothers and daughters-in-law), Mr and Mrs T Baxter (brother and sister-in-law), Mr and Mrs R Baxter (nephew and niece), Mr and Mrs A Hanger and Miss F Cowley.

Others present at the cemetery included Councillor EA Sugars, Councillor F Green and Councillor Mrs OAH Muxlow (School Managers), Mr WAE Sherwood (representing local teachers), Councillor H Waring (Rushden Evening Institute teachers), Mr CH Blunsom, Mr L Hart, Mr G Cross, Mr WE Griffin and Mr W Brawn (Spencer Park Bowling Club), Mr G Bayes (formerly school attendance officer), Mr J Hornsby (Rushden Permanent Allotment Society), Mrs CH Blunsom and Mrs H Jaques (friends).

The floral tributes were as follows: In ever loving memory of Leonard, from his devoted wife, Nancy; In fondest remembrance of a loving father, Charlie, Leonard, Elsie and Dorothy; In loving memory, Ted, Tom, Lydia, Arthur and Jim; In affectionate remembrance, Fred, Annie and family (Forest Gate); Loving memories, Sarah and Will (Toronto, Canada); In loving remembrance at dear Grandpa, from Eric, Margaret and Celia; In loving memory of Uncle Leonard, Elsie, Ron and Peter; In deepest sympathy, Flo, Lottie and Albert; In loving memory, from Harry, Mary and Sylvia; From the Spencer Park Bowling Club; With happy memories of a good pal, George; Sincerest sympathy, Mr and Mrs WA Sherwood; With our sympathy and remembrance BN Headland and Norah; In kind remembrance of an old friend, E Batchelor (Kettering).