WILLIAM WIMPEY KING
Another link with the past has been severed in the death of William Wimpey King, a man of unique characteristics, of considerable ability, and of varied experience. Although not by a long way having reached the age of three-score and ten years, William had probably seen as much of the world and its inhabitants as any who have been able to claim connection with Newbury.
He began life as a clerk in the office of Messrs. Gray and Godwin, and then went out to Australia, where he met with many strange adventures. Returning to England, he resumed his legal pursuits in the office of Mr. W. H. Cave, from whom he received a thorough grounding in law. Mr. Cave was then in possession of a large practice, and was in constant demand as an advocate. Mr. King frequently appeared for him at the police court, and being possessed of a ready mode of address, his advocacy was attended with very great success.
On the death of Mr. Cave, he carried on the practice for some time, and subsequently went to Marlborough as manager for Mr. Boodle, of Swindon.
It is now some years since lie returned to Newbury, and has been in failing health up to the time of his death. I am afraid his increasing weakness developed in him a rather unfavourable view of life. still, he loved the society of his fellows, and once get him in a genial mood he would spin his yarns without intermission. He knew about as much of the Newbury of 30 or 40 years ago as any man living. Had he published a book it would have had a ready sale, and perhaps contained some interesting revelations.
In matters legal he was an authority, and from the chair in the smoking-room at the Queen’s, to which he had obtained an almost prescriptive right, many have been the authoritative decisions laid down, and not appealed against. In politics William was a staunch Conservative, and could hold his own with most men in argument.
Mr. King was at one time a crack shot, and ever took a keen interest in the doings of the Newbury Volunteers, and, indeed, in all that concerned the town of Newbury. Like some of the rest of us, he had his faults de mortuis nil nisi bonbum; and now he is gone we like to think of him as an old Newburian, who in his time played many parts, but never was heard to speak ill of his native town.
MASONIC FOOTNOTE
We are advised that Bro. W. W. King was a joining member of the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope, No. 574 on 5th March, 1858 having previously been a member of Mount Vernon Lodge of Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia, No. 993; also a member of R.A. Chapter of Antiquity No. 20 (Kent).
He was installed as Worshipful Master of Hope Lodge on 3rd January, 1862.
A History of Craft Masonry in Newbury - 1815-1985. W.J. Barber |
