Rushden Echo & Argus, 27th February 1948, transcribed by Kay Collins

Death of Ald Charles William Horrell is Big Loss To County - Many Pay Last respects

By the death of Ald. Charles William Horrell, at his home, "The Laurels," Wellingborough Road, Rushden, on Friday, the county has lost a great industrialist and a prominent figure in local government.

A native of Higham Ferrers, Mr Horrell established his own boot and shoe business in 1895 and gave valuable service to the Rushden and District Boot Manufacturers' Association, of which he was president for several years.

A tribute to his invaluable work for the Trade he was appointed president of the soot Manufacturers' Federation of Great Britain and Ireland in 1925, a position he held years. He served as president of the Boot Trade Benevolent Fund and was the first chairman of Rushden and District Boot Trade Arbitration Board, a post he held continuously until recent years.

As chairman of the governors of Rushden Boot and Shoe School, he did much to stimulate the interest of technical students.

Elected to Rushden Urban Council as a Liberal in 1919, Mr Horrell became chairman in 1925. His County Council service began in 1922.

A staunch member of Wellingborough Divisional Liberal Association since the first world war, Mr. Horrell retained the presidency for, many years and worked vigorously in election campaigns.

Became J.P.

He became a Justice of the Peace in 1934, and in the same year was the first president of Rushden Rotary Club.

In his younger days he played football for Higham Ferrers Town, maintained keen interest in sport, and was for many years chairman of Rushden Sports Ltd.

He will be remembered for his loyal support to hospital causes, and it was largely due to him that Rushden Trades Hospital Committee — now Rushden Hospital Committee —was established. He was for several years a director of the Northamptonshire Printing and Publishing Company Ltd.

Mr. Horrell's wife died in 1946. He leaves an only son, Mr. W. M. Horrell, of Wymington Road, Rushden.

The Funeral

Many county organisations were represented at the funeral which took place at Higham Ferrers Methodist Church on Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. J. Wainwright Utley, superintendent of the circuit, for which Mr. Horrell was an ardent worker.

Principal mourners were Mr. and Mrs. W. McC. Horrell (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. G. May (granddaughter), Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Allin (granddaughter), Mr. J. Horrell (grandson), Mrs. D. Garner (cousin), Mr. C. M. Pack (nephew), Mrs. J. Pack (sister-in-law), Mrs. C. M. Pack, Nurse Baxter, Mr. H. Geary, Mr M. P. O'Connor and Mr. J. Allison, representing C. W. Horrell, Ltd., Mr. F. J. Sharwood, Mr. A. O. Groome, Mr. H. Glenn, Mr A. Sanders (personal friends), Mr. Roe, Mrs. Childs and Mr. Whitacre (house staff).

Among those present, in addition to the immediate mourners, were representatives of many branches of public life in the county.

[A long list of County Councillors, Magistrates, Companies, Schools, Local Councillors, Shoe Trade and Church representatives who attended the Church service follows]

The factory of Messrs. C. W. Horrell, Ltd., was closed for the afternoon and many of the employees attended the funeral.

The cortege afterwards left for Kettering Crematorium, where the final service was taken by Mr. Utley.

Among those who attended the service at Kettering Crematorium where the final service was taken by Mr. Utley.

Among those who attended the service at Kettering Crematorium were Mr. R. P. Winfrey (managing director of the Northamptonshire Newspapers, Ltd.), Mr. T. N. Bird (chairman of the board of directors, Northamptonshire Newspapers, Ltd.), Coun. H. Hodge, Mr. R. M. Downing (representing H. W. Mobbs, Torquay, and Messrs. Mobbs and Lewis, Ltd., Kettering), Mr. A. L. Bellamy (representing Coker and Sons, Northampton), Mr. F. W. Patrick, and Mr. H. Ayres.