HENRY JAMES HUMPHRIES

DEATH OF MR H J HUMPHRIES

45 YEARS SERVICE IN NEWBURY POST OFFICE

A KEEN SPORTSMAN

Members of the Newbury Post Office staff and former colleagues attended the funeral service of Mr Henry James Humphries, of Russell road, which took place at St Nicholas’ Church on Saturday.  His death occurred on Wednesday last week at the age of 65 after a long illness.

Mr Humphries was born in Newbury and was educated at the Grammar School.  He entered the Post Office service as a boy messenger in September 1889, and quickly received promotion as a sorting clerk and telegraphist.  He remained on the indoor staff from October 1890 until September 21^st 1934, when he was superannuated.  He was a most conscientious employee and was greatly liked by all with whom he worked and came in contact.  He received the Imperial Service Medal for long and faithful service.  During the Great War he served with the Royal Engineers Signals Service.

A keen sportsman, he played cricket for the town club, and he was a good shot.  He was a member of the old Volunteers and of the Newbury Rifle Club.  He was also a sound golfer, and did much to revive the Crookham Club after the war.  For some time he was chairman of this club.

The Rev. Roy Chamberlain officiated at the funeral, when the family mourners were Mrs Humphries (widow), Mr A Humphreys (son), Mr and Mrs F Coombe (son-in-law and daughter), Miss W Humphries (daughter), Mr Fred Humphries (brother). Mr and Mrs A T Curry (brother-in-law and sister), Mrs H Humphries (sister-in-law), Mr H Humphries and Mr R Maskell (nephews),  and Mrs G Wathen.

Mr E T Povey represented Crookham Golf Club, and the Newbury Post Office staff present were Messrs. C M Povey, A B Herbert, W R Jones, H C Suter, W D Walker, W W Parker, A E Harris, W L Loveridge, R J Chalk and J H Mills, also Mrs Jordan and the following former Post Office officials: Mr J R Yarr, Mr T S Waite and Mr W R Head.

The interment was in the Newtown road Cemetery.