WALTER JAMES BLACKET

The Late Mr. Walter J. Blacket.— The interment of the mortal remains of Mr. M. J. Blacket, whose death was reported in last week's paper, took place the Newtown Road Cemetery on Saturday afternoon, the coffin being deposited in the family vault. The deceased’s residence Porchester Road is close the cemetery, and the coffin was wheeled on hand-bier to the southern entrance, the mourners walking in procession.

The burial service was conducted the Rev. J. W. Harford, pastor of the Congregational Church (with which Mr. Blacket had long been closely associated), and prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Neville. Before the conclusion of the service Mr. Harford delivered a short address, pointing to the splendid record of faithful services performed by the deceased, and emphasising the fact that his death was in reality no cause for weeping but rather should act as an incentive to them to emulate the high example which Mr. Blacket had always set. The choir from the Congregational Church was present, and led the singing the hymn “When the day of toil is done”.

The widow was not present at the obsequies, and the mourners were; Mrs. Collins (daughter), Mr. E. R. Blacket and Mr. F. Blacket (brothers), Mr. Stephen Wickham (brotherin-law), Miss Wickham (niece), Mr. J. R. Wickham and Mr. R. Wickham (nephews), Mr. T. W. Turner and Mr. S. E. West.

The coffin was lowered the grave by employees the firm Messrs. Blacket, Turner and Co. (of which Mr. Blacket was the head) ; Messrs. W. Mackrill. S. E. Scott, A. Collins, and T. Allen.

Among the large number of friends and associates were: Rev. C. V. Pike, Rev. J. G. Davis, Rev. J. H. Green, Rev. C. B. Johnson, Messrs. H. J. Midwinter. J. Rankin, J. T. Nash, F. C. Hopson, J. H. Hopson, Frank H. Stillman, Ashley Turner, Hugh Turner, T. H. Pratt, E. Salway, Alfred Jackson, A. Camp, J. Wyse, T. Garlick. E. L. Staples, H. W. Flint, J. L. Ward. J. B. Webb, J. C. Slight, W. H. Bell, A. Attewell, F. Wright, J. C. Fidler. T. Prismall, H. Pratt, H. J. Marshall, W. Gamble, J. W. H. Kemp, J. S. Herbert, F. W. Attewell, W. Heath, S. R. Parr, E. J. Pratt, A. Webb. R. Adey, T. Thorn. W. H. Lester (Newbury Water Company), C. Langton, J. W. Miller. C. G. Sainsbury, A. Fisher, W. Jupp, Mrs. H. Midwinter, the Misses Midwinter. Mrs. W. W. Penford. Mrs, Gayfer, Miss Nash, Mrs. West, Misses Mortimer, Mrs. J. M. Bell, Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Neville, Miss Thompson, Mrs. Jowitt, Mrs. Rosling, Mrs. A. C. Bishop, and others.

The P.S.A. Society, of which the late Mr. Blacket was president, was represented by the following members: A. W. Neate, H. Dowling (secretary), C. A. Rebbeck (assistant, secretary), S. Dibley, J. Edwards, T. Allen, T. H. Cullum. A. Adams, and D. New. A request had been made that no flowers should be sent, but in addition the tributes from the family and relatives, one was forwarded by the Pastor and Deacons the Congregational Church, and the Superintendent the Sunday School, “With deep sympathy, and in remembrance of a beloved colleague.”

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Penford and Son.

Reading Mercury - Saturday 15 July 1916

Death of Mr. Walter J. Blackett.-

The death occurred ar his residence in Porchester Road on Wednesday, after a long and painful illness, of Mr. Walter James Blacket, at the age of 74 years. The deceased gentleman was chief partner in the firm Blacket and Turner, which owns the Newbury Weekly News.” and with the exception of a short, period had spent the whole his life in the town, in the affairs which always took keen and active interest. In the religious life the town he had taken a prominent place, having been for a lengthened period secretary of the Congregational Church. He was also president the P.S. A. Society, and had held office in the Free Church Council. He was a trustee several of the town charities, and one time a governor the Grammar School, while in the the Literary and Scientific Institution was one of its most ardent supporters. Other appointments held by Mr. Blacket included hon. secretary and treasurer of the dispensary, and tax commissioner. and the value of his keen business judgment will greatly missed in numerous directions. He leaves a widow and a widowed daughter. The funeral has been fixed to take place at the cemetery this (Saturday) afternoon.