Source: Newbury Weekly News

Date: 24 November 1927

THE LATE REV. F.W. CLARKE

FUNERAL AT NEWBURY

The funeral of the Rev. F. W. Clarke took place on Friday afternoon at the Congregational Church, where he had been minister from 1907 to 1913. Mr. William Every, Mus. Bac., was at the organ and played "0 rest in the Lord" as the body was borne into the church, and the hymn "0 God our help in ages past" was sung.

The service was taken by the Rev. A. H. Fowler, who, in the course of a sympathetic address, said there was something beautiful and fitting in the time and manner of Mr. Clarke's passing. It was on the anniversary of the church here, where he had ministered for seven happy years, and was so much beloved. Returning to Newbury was to him like coming home. The November days of his last short illness were bright and clear, like his own spirit. He loved to have the curtains drawn back that he might look through the window at the glory of the evening sky, and inevitably the words came into one's mind:

The golden evening brightens in the west, Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest, Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.

How true the words were of him. He was one who was remembered, not so much for what he did, as for what he was. The influence of his quiet and gracious spirit refreshed their souls and quickened their better selves. They found themselves always better for his presence. And yet it was the strength also of his active doing that made this influence. For close upon half a century he was in the active ministry — a lifetime of loyal and conscientious work, of unfaltering kindness, and of dwelling in the presence of those things which were spiritual and eternal. And when he spoke of those things to men Sunday by Sunday, he did it with the quiet reverence of one who had thought much upon them, and loved them. There was nothing other or better that he would wish might be said of him than this: "He was a good minister of Jesus Christ."

The personal mourners were: Mrs. F. W. Clarke (widow), Miss Mary Clarke, Mrs. Frank H. Elliott, Miss Winifred Clarke, Mrs. Walter Midwinter (daughters), Mr. Frank H. Elliott, Mr. Walter Midwinter (sons-in-law), Mr. R. P. Elliott, Mr. John Rankin, Mr. F. C. Hopson, Nurse Dunster. Amongst those present were the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Thompson), Mr. E. Salway, Miss Salway, Mr. J. W. Rosling, Miss J. Midwinter, Miss Midwinter, Mrs. Edwin Midwinter, Mr. H. Midwinter, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Walter Penford, Mrs. A. H. Fowler. Mrs. R. P. Elliott. and Miss ,Elliott, Miss Pratt, Mr. G. Griffith, Mr. Stephen Neate, Rev. Dukesell, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Bell, Mr. A. Attewell .Mr. W. H. Flint. Mr,. T. H. Cullum and Mrs. Cullum, Mr. and Mrs. Penn, Mr. .Hugh Turner, Miss Prestoe, Mrs. Slugg, Miss Mortimer, Mrs. Huggins Miss  Edmondson, Mrs. Giles, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Hedge, Mrs. Dennis, Mrs. Herbert, Mrs. Harmsworth, Mrs, Gibbs, Mrs. Morris,, Mr. Charles Bolton,  Mrs. Swain, Mrs. Simmons, Mrs. Wright, Miss Mackerell, Mrs Berry. Misses Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Cleverley.

The interment took place at the Old Cemetery, and amongst the wreaths were the following: From his devoted wife, Florrie; daughters and sons; Minister and Deacons, Congregational Church; Grandsons; and other wreaths sent.

The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Messrs. Camp Hopson and Co.

Mrs. P. Code WA20 Page 43 Book No.1917 Page 119 Record No.10552 He died on 16 November 1927 aged 78 years.

Also his wife Florence who died on 16 July 1955 aged 84 years.

Also Frederick Owen Clarke who died on 29 March 1910 aged 27 years.

FREDERICK WALKER CLARKE

DEATH OF REV. F. W. CLARKE

A FORMER CONGREGATIONAL MINISTER

The death took place yesterday (Wednesday) at Dormers, Tydehams, Newbury of the Rev. F.W. Clarke, who was Minister at the Newbury Congregational Church from 1907 to 1913. Mr. Clarke, who succeeded the Rev. E.H. Titchmarsh, was a quiet scholarly man of deep piety. He was trained for the Ministry at New College, London. In the course of his long ministerial career, he had only had four pastorates, which showed that his ministrations met with the appreciation of his congregations. He was at Frome for 23 years, going from thence to St Helen's. His next pastorate was Newbury, and he concluded his ministry at Marden in Kent in 1922, when he went to live at St Leonards. It was only a few months ago that he removed to Newbury. He leaves a widow and four daughters, one of whom married Mr. Walter Midwinter.

The funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) with a service at the Newbury Congregational Church at 2.30.

Newbury Weekly News 17 November 1927
Buried 18 November 1927 Bk 1917 p.119 no. 10552 Mrs. P p. 43 W A 20 Died 16 November 1927 aged 78
Also wife Florence died 16 July 1935 aged 84 Also Frederick Owen Clarke died 29 March 1910 aged 27