It is with deep sorrow that we have to record the death, which took place at Hunstanton on Monday, of Mr. William Fred Bayes, baker and corn merchant, of Harborough-road, Rushden. The deceased, who was a native of Rushden, and lived in the town the whole of his life, having gained, by his kindly and upright character, the respect of all with whom he was brought into association, had attained his 51st birthday last week. He was the third surviving son of the late Mr. Charles Bayes, builder and contractor, a well-known public man in Rushden. For over 30 years Mr. Fred Bayes had been in business in Rushden as a baker, etc., and by his death many highly-respected families in the town have been plunged into mourning.

Until recently the late Mr. Fred Bayes had enjoyed remarkably good health, but about six weeks ago unfavourable symptoms began to manifest themselves. Dr. Baker was called in, and it was found that Mr. Bayes was suffering from gastritis. Apparently he made good progress towards recovery, and on Monday week he went to Hunstanton in order to recuperate his health, and Friday last he wrote to his friends in Rushden that he was getting better. On Saturday, however, his condition became extremely serious, and a Hunstanton doctor was called in. The utmost attention was paid to the patient, the doctor visiting no fewer than nine times on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning, but death took place about 5a.m. on Monday. On receipt of a telegram containing the sad news, Mr. George Bayes and Mr. C. E. Bayes (brothers of the deceased) at once motored to Hunstantion, and on Tuesday the body was removed to Rushden by train, the funeral being fixed for Thursday.

The late Mr. Bayes leaves a widow and nine children—five sons and four daughter, viz., Messrs. Arthur, Fred, Charles, George, and Jack Bayes, Mrs. Allen (Bedford), and Misses Annie, Hettie, and Clara Bayes. The deceased leaves two brothers and two sisters, all of Rushden, namely, Mr. George Bayes (Sanitary Inspector for the Wellingborough Rural District Council), Mr. C. Ernest Bayes (a member of the Rushden Urban District Council), Mrs. T. Tailby (who was the first lady member of the Wellingborough Board of Guardian, and Mrs. T. W. C. Linnitt (who succeeded her sister as a Guardian, retaining the office until a few months ago when she retired). Deceased married—in June 1891, at Riseley Parish Church—Miss Harriett Smith, daughter of Mr. Smith, butcher, of Riseley.

Mr. Fred Bayes was practically all his life associated with the Baptist cause in Rushden, and was one of the deacons of the Park-road Baptist Church. He was a member of the Rushden temperance Association and of the Rushden Liberal Association, but had taken no public part in the local government of the town. His eldest son, Mr. Arthur Bayes, having been demobilised, it was the intention of the deceased shortly to retire from the bakery business in favour of his son, who is by trade a baker and whose wervices in that capacity were utilised by the military authorities while he was in the Army.

It is 33 years since there was a death among the children of the late Mr. and Mrs. C. Bayes.

[a long report of the funeral, with list of mourners, is also in the paper]

The coffin was of plain oak, with brass fittings, and bore the inscription:-

William Fred Bayes
Born August 24th 1868.
Died September 1st 1919.