Many years of faithful service to the musical life of the district stood to the credit of Mr. William Lawrence Lockie, who died on Sunday evening at his residence in Ebenezer-terrace, Rushden.

Though 77 years of age, Mr. Lockie lived actively until a week before his death, and attended a Salvation Army service on Sunday, August 20th.

Born at Ringstead, he was apprenticed in boyhood to the village tinsmith, Mr. William Bull. He moved to Rushden about 50 years ago and for a year or two devoted part of his time to boot work, but then concentrated on his business as a tinsmith, which he pursued until a few years ago, when his son and grandson took charge under the style of W. E. Lockie and Son.

Inheriting musical gifts from his father, who died in Kettering at the age of 100 a few years ago, Mr. Lockie took up instrumental playing as a boy. He was entirely self-taught, but became proficient on the tenor horn, 'cello and double bass. It was on the string bass that he served practically all the orchestras that were assembled from time to time in the Rushden area and became more or less indispensable to them.

His love of the work made him only too pleased to help all these combinations, and most of all he delighted to play the standard oratorios. The photographs hanging in his home depict him below the stage of the Rushden Public Hall.

He was a member of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Orchestra under the late Dr. Charles Fisher (1910) and other ensembles. He also helped to accompany the Rushden Operatic Society (after the last war), the Rushden Choral Society and many other choirs.

For many years Mr. Lockie attended the Park-road Baptist Church, but more recently he interested himself in the Salvation Army, usually listening to the band's open-air service before going on to the Citadel. His wife survives him and there are two sons, Messrs. W. E. and J. H. Lockie, both of Rushden. Three brothers, three sisters' and four grandchildren are also left.

The funeral took place at Rushden on Wednesday afternoon. the Salvation Army officer, Major S. Richardson, officiating at the house and at the cemetery.

Family mourners were Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Lockie, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Lockie (sons and daughters-in-law), Mr. L. E. Lockie and Miss M. Lockie (grandchildren), Mr. A. Lockie (brother), Miss P. Lockie (sister), Mr. and Mrs. E. Lockie (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs. Seabrook, Mr. W. Ellwood, Mrs. C. Lovell, Mr G. Seabrook, Mrs. Tompkins, Mr. Oscar Leeding, Mr. Owen Roberts (nieces and nephews) and Mrs. Dickens (friend), Mrs. Lockie (widow), Mr. and Mrs. S. Leeding (brother-in-law and sister) and Cpl. Ronald W. Lockie.