WALTER GEORGE RICE
POSTMAN'S FUNERAL The death took place last week of Walter George Rice, for many years a town postman, but who, in consequence of failing health, had been superannuated since the beginning of 1908. He entered the Post Office as a telegraph messenger, and in time he became a town postman. His age was only 32, and his death has been much regretted by his late comrades and friends. This was evidenced at the funeral on Saturday, when the town and country postmen attended in uniform to offer the last mark of respect to their deceased colleague. The body was borne from the house in Madeira-place to the Cemetery on the shoulders of postmen, the following acting as an alternate bearer party, Messrs. J.E. Bolton, R.W. Winterbourne, J. Stephens, J. Witts, W. Fleck, W. Harris, J. Harris, and H. Barrett. The postmen present numbered nineteen, including the head postman, Mr Charles Langton. There were also present at the graveside, the Mayor (Mr Councillor Pratt), Rev. F.W. Clarke, Mr. J.C. Slight (deceased's schoolmaster), Mr. T. S. Waite (chief clerk) and Mr. F.C. Botsford, indoor staff, representing the Newbury Post Office, Mr. H. Beer (Liberal Club), a deputation from the P.S.A., and four veteran postal pensioners, John Holder, Edward Taylor, Frederick Snook and William Freeman. The mourners were Mrs. Rice (widow), Mr. Leonard Rice (brother), Mrs. Rice (mother), Miss Rice (sister), Mr. and Mrs. Willis (father and mother of the widow), Mrs. Thompson (aunt). The Rev. G. J. Knight conducted the funeral service, and gave an impressive address at the graveside. Newbury Weekly News 23 March 1907 Mrs P. p. 138 LS (B) 15 Died 18 March 1907 Bk 1899p 135 no. 8278 BMD Birth JunQ 1874 Newbury 2c 226 Marriage Sept Q 1901 Newbury 2c 547
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