AUSTIN CHAMPION

The Late Mr. Austin  Champion.- The death is announced of Mr. Austin Champion, of Ham-villa, at the advanced age of 79. The deceased gentleman was for a great number of years the proprietor of Ham Mills, and occupied the foremost rank among the millers in the provinces. His excellent judgement in selecting wheat of the best quality only, as well as care in the manufacture, obtained for his flour the highest standard of excellence, and in London, where he did a large trade, “Champion’s flour always obtained the best price. In addition to being the most successful business man, Mr. Champion was highly respected both in his commercial and social relations, and so much influence did he exert that his word was understood to regulate the price of bread in this town and neighbourhood.

For some years he has been incapacitated by declining health from carrying on his business which recently was transferred to his nephew, Mr. Marcus H. Lewis, by whom Ham Flour Mills are now conducted. The funeral will take place to-morrow (Friday), at two o’clock, at the Cemetery.

The Funeral of the Late Mr. Austin Champion took place on Friday, at Newbury Cemetery. The body was conveyed in a hearse with plumes, and borne to the grave by old servants, eight in number, some of whom had been employed at Ham Mills upwards of twenty years. 

The mourners were Mr. J. B. Chaffey, Mr. W. W. Champion, Mr. M. H. Lewis, Mr. W. C. Chaffey, Master Ernest Lewis, and Mr. H. Jeula. The funeral service was read by the Vicar of St. Mary's, and the arrangements conducted by Messrs. Bodman and Jones. It was noticed that several of the older residents had shaded their windows as  the cortége passed. The church bell at Newbury, Speenhamland, and Thatcham tolled a funeral knell. 

At the morning service at St. Mary's on Sunday last, the Vicar alluded to the loss sustained by the parish : " Each year removes from us familiar faces, warning us that our time too will come. I told you but a few Sundays ago, how busy death had been amongst us, and to-day we have again to mourn for one who has regularly attended this church ever since it was opened, almost fifty years ago. Ever a steady supporter of all good works and our parochial charities, a large contributor towards the improvement of this church, he has been taken from us after a long and painful illness patiently borne. His last words were that plea for mercy which our church daily teaches to utter 'Lord have mercy upon us.' What better words can come from dying lips? May we, when our last hour shall come, when earth has lost its hold upon us and the mysteries of the unseen world are beginning to dawn upon our view, be enabled so to apply our knowlege of God as to find the support we need, and thus to commend our parting souls into the hands of our faithful Creator and most merciful Saviour, saying. 'ln thee O Lord have I trusted, let me never be confounded.' “ 

A favourite selection with the deceased was "Angels ever bright and fair," and it was played as a voluntary at the morning service, and in the evening "I know that my Redeemer liveth," and the " Dead March “ in Saul. The hymns were also appropriate.

Thursday 18 November 1880   Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser