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HENRY HORACE DORANT
Mr. Horace H. Dorant, whose mortal remains were conveyed to the Cemetery last Monday, was a man of extraordinary character, and to readers of the “Field” the initials “H.H.D.” were most familiar, he for many years contributing a weekly report of the Kennet and Lambourn streams.
Born at St. Albans, his father being a solicitor, and having the management of an estate, whose gardens and fishing were an important feature, his love for nature was fostered from childhood, and on the completion of his education, he being intended for the law, his health broke down to some extent, and to use his own words, “he was allowed to run loose.”
Making the acquaintance of a gun maker, a man of noble mind and full of sporting notions, the young man soon had plenty of shooting all round the district. On the death of his mother, and subsequent re-marriage of his father, things took a turn in the young man’s life, the law project was abandoned, and pianoforte making was selected. After apprenticeship in London, he started as a piano action-maker, and from that to a small manufacturer.
Business went on for a time fairly well, but after a run of ill-luck, and an accident, by which Dorant was laid by for a long period, it was disposed of. Being tired of London, and sighing for the fresh air of the country, he came to Newbury to Mr. Alphonse Cary, with whom he has constantly been associated. The business rapidly increasing, Dorant took a large portion of the out door work, tuning, etc., and for a period of over 20 years he has been a familiar figure.
Always an enthusiastic angler, he at once perceived the natural advantages that obtained in this district, and the Newbury Angling Association was the outcome of his suggestions, and after its inception, for years he gave it his warm and ardent support. At the time of the Fisheries’ Exhibition, he thought this locality should be represented, and in company with a few others, notably the late John Packer, Mr. Josh. Smith, Messrs. Paulin, Howe, Copas, and Walker, a local show was held in the Museum of the Literary and Scientific Institution, to raise a fund to pay the expenses of the cases to London.
In this he took the lion’s share of the work. These, in conjunction with the lovely specimens of Mr. Marcus Lewis, were awarded the silver medal, and were certainly the finest exhibit in the gallery.
Dorant was well known to nearly all the leading piscatorial writers, and it is not to be doubted that through his reports and friendships, many wealthy persons fond of angling were induced to come to the neighbourhood.
In cottage, villa and castle, or wherever a piano is to be found, Dorant was well known, and except one accident, in which he was pitched out of his trap in the dark, on Speen Hill, by which he was laid by for a few weeks, he has enjoyed good health. Lately, however, he has not been so robust, and has been struck down by a couple of fits, one at Nalder Hill, where he was found by Mr. Bingham, who kindly conveyed him home. From this he never properly recovered, and taking to his bed on Saturday, he passed calmly and peacefully away on Friday last.
Being of a happy disposition, keen witted, and full of repartee, and carefully sheathing the point of sarcasm, so that it should not pain, he made many acquaintances, who always were glad to greet him. Honest of purpose, generous hearted, sympathetic to all in trouble or poverty, unselfish to a degree, often putting himself to inconvenience to do a good turn for another, a firm friend possessed of many virtues and few faults.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. H. S. Hanington, the polished coffin being covered with beautiful wreaths sent by Mr. Cary, the Conservative Club, his fellow workers, Mr. R. Bance, Mrs. Ivatts. The inscription was:_
HORACE H. DORANT,
Died January 8, 1897,
Age 66
The hearse was met at the gates by the R H. Brew, who performed the ceremony. Around the grave were Messrs. Alphonse Cary, T. B. Howe, Geo. Bennett (late Superintendent), R. Bance, Cox, Freeman, W. Harrison, C. Hattatt, W. ivatts, W. Johnson, McRobey, McNiven, J. Pettitt, G. Paulin, Payne (Hunt's Green), Reynolds, Supt. Robotham, Jos. Smith, also Messrs. W. H. and C. Paine, J. E Coombes, and W. F. Povey, colleagues of the deceased.
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