Rushden Echo, 11th August 1916

Rushden Resident’s Death – A Well-known Tradesman

We sincerely regret to record the death which took place yesterday afternoon, of Mr. Thomas William Gates, dairyman, of Winchester-road, at the age of 40 years. The deceased had been suffering from a painful illness for the past two months, but bore his affliction with remarkable patience. Right up to the time of his illness he attended the Park-road Baptist Church. He was the only brother of Mr. H. S. Gates, of Wellingborough-road, Rushden. He leaves a widow to mourn her loss. Throughout the town and district he was well-known and highly respected, and much sympathy is felt with his widow in her great bereavement.

Rushden Echo, 18th August 1916

Funeral—The interment of the late Mr. Thomas William Gates, of High-street South, whose death was reported in the "Rushden Echo", took place at the Cemetery last Monday afternoon. Prior to the interment an impressive service was conducted by in the Park-road Baptist Church by the Rev. H. J. Hoen (pastor), many friends and sympathisers being present. As the congregation assembled, Mr. J. L. Clipson, A.R.C.O., gave an impressive rendering of the air "O rest in the Lord" (Mendelssohn) . The hymns were "O God, our help in ages past, " and "Saved by grace". The coffin, of polished elm, with brass fittings, bore the inscription:-

The Rev. H. J. Horn also officiated at the Cemetery. The mourners were: Mrs. T. W. Gates (widow) and the Rev. J. F. Cowley (eldest brother), Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Gates (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Knight (uncle and aunt), Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cowley (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Baxter (brother-in-law and sister), Miss Florence Cowley and Mr. Fred Cowley (nephew and neice), Misses Ethel Cowley and Ivy Baxter (nieces), Mrs. Samuel Chettle (aunt), Miss Sissie and Master Bertie Gates (niece and nephew). Mr. Bernard Smith represented the Rushden and Higham Dairymen’s Association (of which deceased was a member). Mr. Watts (deceased’s manager) and Mr. Walter Ayres also followed. There were 24 beautiful floral tributes, including one from the neighbours and one from the Dairymen’s Association.

Mrs. Thomas W. Gates desires to express her sincere thanks to the many kind friends for their messages of sympathy with her in her great bereavement, and to those also who so kindly sent floral tributes.