ALFRED STRADLING

THE LATE MR. COUNCILLOR STRADLING

The death of Mr. Councillor Stradling, after so short an illness has awakened very sincere regret in the town and district, the deceased being widely known and highly respected. Only as recently as Tuesday afternoon in last week, Mr. Stradling, in company with his friend Mr. John Porter, of Kingsclere, walked across the Marsh and called upon the Rev. Canon Riley. Though feeling unwell, he subsequently attended a corporation meeting, but withdrew before it was over on account of a distracting pains in the head. On the following day he consulted his medical man, who declared him to be suffering from erysipelas in the head, and counselled his remaining in bed, regarding from the first the case as a most serious one, as unhappily it has proved, for Mr. Stradling's system, debilitated by an internal complaint from which he had for some time suffered, has succumbed to the complication thus produced. He passed away early on Monday morning in his 65^th year, leaving a widow, for whom, being in feeble health, much sympathy is felt, and three sons and a daughter to mourn their sudden and irreparable loss.

It was in the autumn of 1866 that Mr. Stradling came to Newbury, succeeding

Mr. |Joyce in the old established business of jeweller and silversmith carried out in Northbrook-street. Being a man of public spirit, he soon became identified with the institutions of the town, and was in much request as an amateur vocalist, as he possessed a fine bass voice. He was a Freemason, being identified with both the Lodge of Hope and Porchester Lodge of Mark Masons. He was one of the Managers of the National School, and assistant sidesman at the Parish Church and Trustee of the Church Charities cultural Society. He was also Treasurer of the Newbury Horticultural Society. By his death a vacancy occurs in the Newbury Corporation, Mr. Stradling having been elected without opposition last spring on the death of Mr. Councillor Palmer, after having been out of the Council for a few years.

Mr. Stradling was a Churchman and a Conservative, but he was on friendly relations with people of all classes, and ever of a genial and companionable nature. It was not in his disposition to make a single enemy. He early joined the Volunteer movement, and at the time he left Great Marlow for Newbury, he was sergeant of the local corps, and was indeed one of the crack shots of the Bucks Regiment, his sideboard being adorned by trophies which he had won at various prize meetings and at Wimbledon.

Though both by the Corporation and the Freemasons there was readiness to accord him a public funeral, we understand that his family, while gratefully appreciating this mark of respect, have declined the offer. Many of his old friends and others will no doubt be present at the funeral tomorrow(Friday) at the Cemetery. The interment will be preceded by a short service at the Parish at 2.30.

Newbury Weekly News 15 January 1891

Mrs P p109 LN24 died 12 January 1891 in his 65^th year.

Also Ann Bedford Stradling wife of the above died 20 November 1900 in her 76^th year.

Also Keith Stradling Hopson born 20 August 1890 died 9 June 1909

Also Joseph Alfred Hopson born 7 August 1888 missing at Gallipoli 27 August 1915 2^nd Wellington mounted Rifles, N.Z.

Missing years.

NEWBURY CORPORATION

MONTHLY MEETING January 13th

THE LATE COUNC. STRADLING

The Mayor said before calling upon the Town Clerk to read the minutes of the last meeting, he considered it his duty to refer to a painful incident which had happened since the last meeting. He alluded to the death of Coun. Stradling who as it was well known to most of them was present at the last monthly meeting, and was also present at the meeting in connection with the drainage, and took part in the debate. They sincerely regretted the almost sudden removal from their midst of a colleague, who was not only known to them as a member of the Board, but to many as a friend and brother. He thought it would be their wish to pass a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the deceased, which it would be his painful duty to propose. With regard to the Corporation attending the funeral he had ascertained that the members of the family did not wish the Corporation to attend in their public capacity, but would be pleased to see any of the members attend privately the funeral, which would take place on Friday at half-past two.

Alderman Lucas seconded the resolution, remarking that the sudden death of their colleague, who was taking part only as recently as Tuesday last in the work of the Board, must be a warning to them of the uncertainty of life, and they would feel it to be a sense of their duty which they owed to their late colleague and his family to pass such a vote of condolence as the one proposed by the Mayor.

The resolution was passed in silence.

Newbury Weekly News January 15 1891

ALFRED STRADLING

FUNERAL OF MR. COUNCILLOR STRADLING

The funeral of Mr. Councillor Stradling, whose sudden and lamented death took place on Friday afternoon at Newbury Cemetery. The first part of the service was held in the Parish Church, where deceased was for many years a sidesman, the edifice being well filled. The service was conducted by the Rector (Rev. E.I. Gardner), the lesson being read by the Rev. W. Pheasant.

As the mournful procession entered the church, the organist played “I know that my redeemer liveth” the concluding voluntary being the Dead March in Saul, the hymn “Now the labourer's task is o'er” was also sung.

At the cemetery the service was conducted by the Rector and the corpse was lowered into the grave by the six mourners, who thus performed the last act in their power for their lamented relative.

The mourners were Mr. James Stradling, Mr. Alfred Stradling Mr. Charles Stradling (sons of the deceased), Mr. Joseph H. Hopson (son-in-law), Mr. James Haddon, Mr. Samuel Haddon (nephews), and Mr. John Porter (Kingsclere).

There were also a large number of friends at the graveside, including the Mayor of Newbury, and several members of the Corporation, together with representatives of the Newbury Conservative Club, Newbury Freemasons, Newbury Horticultural Society, and Messrs. Walter Money and W.G.Adey (church wardens of Newbury Church).

There were a large number of beautiful wreaths and crosses sent by the following:- Mr. and Mrs Rabone, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Rabone, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bragg, Mr. and Mrs John Porter, Mr. G. Gardner-Leader, Mr. and Mrs. Harrold, Mr. and Mrs W. Davies, The Mayor of Newbury, Mr. G.M. Knight, Mr. William Knight, Mr. and Mrs. Boyer, Mr. and Mrs Dimmick (Cowes), Newbury Horticultural Society, Newbury Working Men's Conservative Club, Mrs. B. Fielder, Mrs. F. Hopson, and others.

The bell of the Parish Church was tolled during the day and sympathy with the bereaved family was quite general, shutters being raised and blinds drawn at most houses en route to the cemetery.

Mrs. H.S. Hanington successfully carried out the funeral arrangements.

Newbury Weekly News 22 January 1891