WILLIAM WALTER PENFORD

DEATH OF MR. WALTER PENFORD

FROM HEART SEIZURE

Another old Newburian connected with the business life of the town has passed away. A little more than a week ago Mr. Walter Penford was out and about apparently in his usual state of health. On Tuesday, the 17^th, he was taken with a heart seizure. He rallied the next day and the doctors were hopeful about him. Then he had another attack at half past six on Thursday night, and this proved fatal.

Born and bred in the town, Walter William Penford has lived in our midst practically all his life, the only exception being a few years spent in Leamington gaining business experience. His father, the late Mr. William Penford, who was born at Woodhouse, Brimpton, ,purchased the business of Mr. Blyth, and started the well-known drapery establishment in 1849. It was afterwards carried on in the name of Penford and Son until the amalgamation with Camp, Hopson and Co., after the war. His son Walter was born in 1853, and was educated at Newbury Grammar School and Taunton School, where at that time of day many sons of well-known Newbury tradesmen were sent to finish their education.

The outstanding trait in the character of Walter Penford was his geniality and his readiness to help. He never like to appear in the limelight, but in his quiet way he did a lot of good work. His chief interest was in connection with the Newbury Congregational Church, of which he was a Sunday School teacher, a Deacon and Church Secretary. A lover of music, he was one of the oldest members of the Newbury Amateur Orchestral Union. As showing his ever readiness to assist, a little incident may be here mentioned. The Orchestral Union had not long been started, and an oboe player was wanted. Mr. Penford started to learn the oboe, and joined the Society. This was in 1890, and he has remained a member ever since, playing in practically every concert. The last time Mr. Penford played was in the orchestra at the performance of the “Creation” at the Good Friday concert in the Congregational Church.

Mr. Penford’s activities were more varied than his quiet manner would suggest. He was a director of the old Literary and Scientific Institution, which, in its palmy days days, did so much for the instruction and amusement of the town. He was a director of the Newbury Cemetery Company, and of Messrs. Pratt Ltd. He was a man greatly trusted for his integrity of character, and was much in demand as an executor for any number of people. He was always good in company, could tell a good tale, and visiting ministers to the Congregational Church were never happier than when quartered with him, for he was most hospitable and entertaining. Walter Penford possessed the happy qualities of being the best of good fellow and an upright man. His friends were legion, and he will be greatly missed.

Mr Penford married Miss Taylor, of Marden, Kent, who survives him, and there are two sons, Reginald and Leslie, the latter living in Tasmania.

Large Attendance at Funeral

The funeral, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, was largely attended by representative townspeople, fellow members of the Congregational Church, directors and staff of the business with which Mr. Penford was connected, members of the local musical societies, and many personal friends. It was a fitting tribute to a Newbury brought up in the old traditions of the town, and who, though living his life quietly and ostentatiously, had served his day and generation well.

 An appreciation. The first part of the service was held in the Congregational Church her body of which was filled with towns people. It was an unpretentious this service conducted by the pastor the reverend AH Fowler who delivered a well phrased and sympathetic appreciation of the deceased. We meet here today in some grief he said. Aweek ago we had no hint warning that we should lose Walter penford from our midst. He seemed so natural and inevitable apart of this Church of this town and of our lives. And if we knew it not before the suddenness of his going has revealed too many of us how much we loved him. And yet we are not here to mourn but to give humble and grateful thanks to God for this Christian man so good and kind and true. He lived his whole life in this town and I doubt if anyone could be found to whom he ever did anything unkind or of whom he ever spoke an ungenerous word. He sought no prominent position for himself. It was his joyed be among those who serve. He was one of those apaan whom we learn unconsciously to depend. His faith was firm. His sympathies wide. For 43 years he was a member of the amateur orchestral union and played regularly in its concerts. For many years he acted as its treasurer. But it was to this church that he gave his foremost loyalty and service. For nearly half a century he taught in our Sunday school and was a teacher still at the time he died. For ten years he was a Deacon greatly trusted and beloved. And in these last few years we know how much we owe to him as secretary of the church. We cannot measure the influence of all these years of faithful work and of that loyal and gracious personality which shone through all that he did. How clearly his life reveals the deep convictions that he held and the faith which sustained him. Whatever his own troubles he never allowed them to cast a shadow upon his spirit no darkened life for those with whom he had to deal. He did not stay to think about himself. He would always run to do a service for another. Obvious kindness have we all received. We have been blessed by his gentleness and goodness. We have seen in him the very pattern of Christian courtesy. He passed from us with quiet suddenness as the sunlight fades beneath the cloud iponan April day and through the world around us lies dim we know that light shines beyond. The service. The service was fully coral the choir being in attendance and Mr Ernest Watson who was at the organ played oh rest in the Lord and other appropriate music as the congregation assembled. The hymns where the Lord my shepherd and Harriet beecher stowe's still still with the when purple more north morning break earth at the conclusion of the service the organist played chopin's funeral March which seemed a much happier and hopeful conclusion to a funeral service then the appointment chords of the composition from soul. The coffin was preceded from the church by the late Mr Penn Ford's brother deacons and the members of the directorate of Mrs camp Hobson and Co. He Interment place at the old cemetery in the Newtown Rd but his cease being laid to rest in the family vault where his father was buried before him. The reverend AH Fowler officiated here also but most of those who had been in the church followed the funeral procession to the graveside. The mourners. The mourners where Mrs pennford widow. Mr Reginald pennford son. Mrs Mullins sister. The reverend Edwin penford brother. Mr Steven Taylor brother-in-law. Miss Mullins nice. Mr and Mrs HD pain. Miss rodell. Mr and Mrs W E Goodman. Mr and Mrs hj Monday. And Mr Fred Hobson executor. His fellow directors present where Mr Alfred camp Mr JH Hobson Mr Bertie camp Mr Paul Hobson I missed the JL ward. The deacons of the Congregational Church and attendance where Mr h j midwinter. Mr Edward Salway. Mr Tom Cullum. Mr R P Elliot. Mr j w Rosling and Mr Walter midwinter. The members of Mr penfold's own staff present where Mr George wintle. Mrs spring. The misses Langton. Corderoy. Talmarsh. Palmer. Leather, Goodings and Buttle.

Amongst those also notice present in the church where the mayor counsellor A D cater, Alderman Jackson, counsellor and Mrs G griffen, Counsellor Elliot, counsellor witts, Mr victor cordon, Mr E L staples, Mrs camp, Mrs J H Hobson, Mr William Wallace, miss Lena Elliot, Mr and Mrs Walter bell, mrs J mcNay bell, Mr E J bell, Mrs R P Elliott, miss Ethel Elliot, Mr and Mrs Alec Elliot, Mr and Mrs Charles camp, Mr C Hayes (reading) Mr Rupert Adey, Mr. John freeman, Mr Arthur Smith, miss grace midwinter, Mr frank adnams, Mr Arthur Attwell, Mrs Charles attwell, Mr Irwin packington (buckhurst hill Essex), miss E M Pratt, miss Mortimer, miss Franklin, Mr and Mrs Penn, miss Webb, miss Walter, Mr and Mrs will slugg, miss Sanderson, Mr W H Flint, Mr and Mrs T T snowball, reverend C B Johnson, Mr Ewart McIlroy, Mr McIlroy, Mr and Mrs H B stillman, Mr and Mrs Harry Dolton, reverend John stay, Mrs Ernest West, reverend J H and Mrs green, messrs J James, L Laing, b de castro, W H court, W Smith, john webb, W H Franks, WC Gale, E lipscomb-gurr, J S paine, L cleeves, Fred bance, Albert Smith, E Cox (Donington), J Buchanan, Langton, C J crawshaw, t s waite, E W Bradford, s h stillman, and Hugh Turner.

The name plate on the coffin was inscribed

Walter William penford

died April 12 1923,

aged 70 years

There were many wreaths and flowers sent by the following..............about 40 to 50 people

Newbury Weekly News 19 April 1923

Not in Mrs. P.

Buried 17 April 1923

Book 1917 No. 10228