SUSAN FERROM BEER

DEATH OF MRS. S. F. BEER

 Bombed and injured at 84

 The disastrous air raid on Newbury in February, 1943, in which alms people and schoolchildren lost their lives, is recalled by the death of Mrs. Susan Ferrom Beer, which occurred on Saturday at the age of 87. At that time Mrs. Beer occupied a St. Bartholomew's Almshouse and when the raider dropped the bombs which demolished many of the almshouses, besides St John's Church and part of the Council School, she was downstairs with her daughter and son-in-law and her companion, Miss Jane Symes. Miss Symes was killed, and Mrs. Beer was rescued from the wreckage suffering from a broken leg.

The other occupant escaped with slight injuries. Mrs Beer was in hospital five weeks and in spite of her great age she made a remarkable recovery.

Member of an Old Newbury Family

Mrs Beer came of an old Newbury family. Her father, the late Mr. Edward Terry, was G.W.R. parcels agent in Bartholomew-street for many years, and she was the last of her generation of the Terry family, all of whom lived to a remarkable age.

She was the widow of Mr. Harry Challis Beer, who was caretaker of Newbury Liberal Club from its opening fifty years ago up to his death in 1912. She then carried on as caretaker until her retirement in 1930. Of a gentle and generous nature, to whom nothing was too much trouble, she had many friends among the members and also in the Newbury Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher and organist for many years.

Latterly she had been living with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Bradshaw, of 117, Craven-road, where her death occurred.

The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday), a service at the Baptist Church being followed by the interment in the Newtown-road Cemetery in the same grave as her husband.

Newbury Weekly News 3 October 1946

Buried 2 October 1946 aged 87

Bk 1917 p 264 no. 11711

Author: D Clow
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