After a long illness that occasioned his hosts of friends deep regret Mr Arthur Mantle, formerly school attendance officer for the Rushden Education Sub-Committee and neighbouring authorities, has passed away at his residence, 124 Queen Street, Rushden.

Born at Rushden 58 years ago, Mr Mantle has given of his best in the service of education for 23 years, and it was a matter of regret to the district when he had to relinquish his duties owing to persistent ill-health. His unfailing good temper and tact made him extremely popular with education authorities, teachers and parents.

Three years ago Mr Mantle had to undergo a serious operation, in which it was found necessary to amputate a leg, and since then he has never been completely well for any length of time, although he pluckily continued his duties as officer to the Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Raunds, Thrapston and other education authorities. He had at length, however, to give up and prior to his death he had kept his bed for ten months.

In 1923 teachers and other members of the scholastic profession in a wide area presented a handsome cheque to Mr Mantle in recognition of his work and tributes to the value of his service were numerous when the presentation was made. Mr Mantle was able to recall that he had held his position as attendance officer for nearly 20 years, that he had changed his employment only once in 33 years, and that his father – like himself, a native of Rushden – had served one firm for 54 years. At the presentation it was mentioned that beyond those interested in the scholastic profession, other subscribers were the Rushden Co-operative Society, Trade and Labour Council, and Boot Operatives’ Union, for which organisations the deceased had contributed much useful work.

Mr Mantle was a very successful breeder and judge of pigeons, especially of the Pouter variety. He had won high honours and had judged at the leading shows, such as the Crystal Palace.…..etc. He was regarded as a leading authority upon that variety of pigeon and at one time was a frequent contributor to the Press. Pouters of his own breeding won prizes all over the country.

Much sympathy is extended to the widow and two daughters.

The Rushden Echo, 6^th August 1926.

The Late Mr. Arthur Mantle

Public Tributies Of Respect At Rushden

Many Organisations Represented

  Briefly reported in our last issue, the funeral of the late Mr. Arthur Mantle, for many years School Attendance Officer at Rushden, took place at Rushden Cemetery. From the announcement of the death until after the funeral last Friday flags at the Council schools were flown at half-mast.

  A service was conducted at the residence by the Rev. C.J. Keeler. The family mourners were Mrs. Mantle (widow), Mr. J. E. Mantle, of Leyton (brother), Miss A Mantle, Mrs. Waller (daughters), Mrs. S. Mantle (mother), Miss E. Mantle, Miss Ethel Mantle (sisters), Mr. H. Waller (son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. F. Jones of Irchester (uncle and aunt), Mrs. Groome (sister-in-law), Mrs. Ablett (niece), Mrs. Sharman, of Burton Latimer (niece), Mrs. Watson (friend), Mr. Harry Mantle, of Northampton (cousin), and Mr. A.W. Munns of Wellingborough (friend).

  At the graveside were Mr. L.E.A. Prothero, M.C. (Chief School Attendance Officer), and the following district School Attendance Officers: Messrs. S. Panter (Rushden, Higham Ferrers, Wellingborough, and Raunds), F. Palmer and H.S. Swann (Kettering), T. Large (Wellingborough), J. Holbrook (Northampton), K. Entwistle (Rugby), F. Farbridge (Desborough), and F.C. Marriott (Earls Barton). Head teachers and other teachers of the locality present were Messrs. S. Saddler, W.W. Rial, B.M. Jones, W.E.A. Sherwood, J. Allen, Gardam (Rushden), F.W. Margetts (Higham Ferrers), W.A. Taylor (Irthlingborough), and A.D. Rawlings (Raunds), and Miss Packer and Miss Watson (Rushden).

  The Rushden Council School Managers present were Mr. B. Vorley (chairman), the Rev. P.F. Robson, R.D., Mr. F. Green and Mr. L. Baxter, and they and Mr. C. Cross, C.C., represented the Rushden Education Sub-Committee. Other representatives of education authorities unable to be present were Messrs. J.L. Holland, B.A. (secretary of the Northants Education Committee), L. Perkins, B.Sc. M.B.E. (head teacher of Rushden Intermediate School), F. Corby, W.H. Sanders, C Claridge, J.P., E. Freeman, F. Sugars, and C.W. Horrell, C.A. (Rushden Education Sub-Committee and Managers). At the cemetery the Rushden Urban Council was represented by Mr. G.W. Coles, J.P., and Mr. J. Allen, and Mr. H. Lack (Rate Collector). Rushden branch of the Boot Union was represented by Mr. C. Bates (president), Mr. W. Langley J.P. (secretary, also representing the Irthlingborough Education Sub-Committee). Mr. F. Batchelor (assistant secretary), and Mr. W. Bazeley, J.P., (who succeeded Mr. Mantle as secretary of the branch). Mr. Boyer represented the North Northants district. Mr. F. Noble represented his father (an old School Manager). Mr. T.E. Wigginton represented the Rushden Co-operative Society. Other friends present were Mr. A. Vorley, Mr. and Mrs. Spicer, Mr. and Mrs. E. Shrive, Mr. and Mrs. H. Durham, Mr. and Mrs. H. Bennett, Messrs. H. Gadsden (Newton Bromshold), R. Denton, T.H. Partridge, J. Jones, Pack, and A. Gadsby, etc.

  In his prayer the Rev. C. J. Keeler mentioned the beautiful life and noble example which had been left by their late brother. The funeral service of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was read by Bro. F. Darlow.

  There were wreaths as follows:

  In fondest remembrance of a dear husband and father, from his sorrowing wife and daughter.

  In fondest remembrance of a devoted son and brother, from Mother, Em, and Ethel.

  In loving memory of dear Dad, from Doris and Horace.

  In ever-loving memory of our dear brother, from John and Nan.

  In ever-loving memory of our dear brother, from Ben and Millie.

  There were also others from Horace, Maisie, and little Roy, Scotland: Aunt Maudie and Elsie: Harry and Ethel, Northampton: Jack and Kate, Croydon; Cousins, Queen’s-terrace: Aunt Sarah Jane, Beatie, and Harry, Leicester: Aunt Ann and Uncle Fred and family; Beatie and Lew, Burton Latimer: Aunt Belle and family: Hilda, Harry, and Addie, Podington: School Managers and Sub-Committee: Rushden and District Teachers: County School Attendance Staff: Newton-road Schools: Mr., Mrs., and Miss Shortland: Mr. Thomas Large, Wellingborough: Mrs. Thacker and family; the neighbours: Mr. and Mrs. Gadsden, Newton; Mrs. Allen, Cecil and John, Irthlingborough: Mr. and Mrs. Claude Childs: Mr. and Mrs. Reg Denton: Mrs. Clayton and family: Mr. and Mrs. Shrives: Mrs. Alderman: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Green: Mrs. Adams: Mr. and Mrs. Cooper: Mr. and Mrs. W. Spicer: Mr. John Barker and family: Mr. and Mrs. W. Bazeley: Mr. and Mrs. R. Mitchell and family: Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Munns, Wellingborough: and Audrey Line.

  Mrs. Mantle and family and relatives of the late Mr. A. Mantle desire to express their sincere thanks to all friends for their many tokens of sympathy, and also for the beautiful wreaths.   

Note: Arthur Mantle was also a noted artist - he is buried in Rushden Cemetery on 30^th July 1926. His wife Charlotte was buried there on 13^th May 1954 aged 83. Grave C245. His son was killed in WWI.