Obituary

Mr FRANK COMYNS

Grammar School Master 60 Years Ago

Mr Frank Comyns, who was, a Newbury Grammar School master more than sixty years ago, died at his home, 144, Craven road, Newbury, on Saturday at the age of 85. His death severs' a link with New-bury of the late Victorian era.  Probably no man had a greater knowledge of the people and the happening's of that period, and a remarkable memory for detail made him an interesting conversationalist.  He was a son of the late. Mr. Francis Comyns, corn merchant, whose premses occupied a large corner site in Bartholomew-street, next to Little-lane (now the Arcade).

When School was at the Litton.

Educated at Newbury Grammar School - He was one of the oldest Old Newburians—when it was at The Litton, he later became a master there. He was then in his early twenties, and some of his pupils are now amongst the older generation of townsmen. Mr. Comyns left the teaching staff of the Grammar school when it moved to its present buildings in the Enbourne road in the middle 'eighties.  After taking his MA. degree at Oxford, he became a Science Master at Bath, Atid later taught at Durham Grammer School.

Returning to Newbury he took an active interest in the life  of ther town

A keen archaeologist and a well known botanist whose knowledge of the local flora was unequalled, he was a member of the Newbury Field Club and for a tme was honorary curator of the Borough Museum.

Brother a choirman  63 years.

Mr. Comyns was twice married. His first wife was a member of the Church family, who carried on a grocer's business which was later taken over by Forrest Stores. His second wife was a Miss Church, of Aldbourne, who survives him. Mr. Comyns' only brother, Mr. Herbert Comyns, who is 81 years of age, was manager of Forrest Stores for 50 years, and has been a member of the Parish Church choir for 63 years. The funeral takes place to-day (Thursday), the cremation being at Oxford.