THOMAS ROOKLEY

THE LATE Mr. THOMAS ROOKLEY

The veteran teetotaller, Thomas Rookley, of Gordon-road, who died last week at the advanced age of 82, was laid to rest on Friday at the cemetery. There was a preliminary service at the Primitive Methodist Church, and respect was shown to his memory by the presence of many friends - the Good Templars and Rechabites wearing regalia, while the newly formed temperance band, under Bandmaster Ashton, preceded the funeral car, playing the Dead March in "Saul."

The mourners were the three sons and two daughters of the deceased. It is now some five-and-thirty years since Mr. Rookley settled is Newbury. He has been heard to say that on paying the expenses of his removal - for he was a West country man -he had only half-a-crown left. Still he was a thrifty man. He insured his life in the Temperance Insurance Society for £100, to receive the amount out at death or at a certain age. It was his good fortune to survive the stipulated age, and with profits the insurance amounted to £125. With this and his savings he built a house, and was able when he ceased to follow his employment a few years since, to live in a quiet and comfortable way – thus solving in his own case, the question of an Old Age Pension. Nor was he with his thrift niggardly for he was a regular contributor te temperance and religious objects.

He was the oldest Rechabite in Newbury, and an ardent total abstainer. Some fifteen or sixteen years ago when a series of village meetings were held during the winter, he was the most regular and reliable speaker; and those who knew him were specially struck with the freshness and variety of treatment, as well as the power and strength of his appeals. These characteristics were also present in his pulpit efforts, for he was both strenuous as a local preacher and temperance speaker. He had very little schooling, having to begin work at any early age, but he had a specially good library for a working man, and the books showed that they had been well used.

When he first came to Newbury he worked for the late Mr. W. G. Adey, afterwards when the Reading firm of Messrs. Limited (sic) established a branch here, he became their foreman.

Suitable respect was paid to his memory at the Sunday morning service. when the Rev J. Neville was the preacher, his text being, "How long have I to live?" Mr. Rookley was originally a Bible Christian, but on coming to Newbury he joined the Primitive Methodists in whose fellowship he continued to the end.

Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser - Thursday 21 February 1901

THOMAS ROOKLEY

ROOKLEY – Feb 19, at Gordon road, Thomas Rookley, aged 82 years.