DEATH OF MR. G. M. COUNCILLOR KNIGHT

We deeply regret to record the death of Mr. Councillor George Mitchell Knight, which occurred at his residence in Donnington-square yesterday (Wednesday) morning. Mr. Knight had been in failing health for some years past, and for the last few months he has been confined indoors. It has only been by the most careful nursing and the best of medical skill that life has been prolonged even so long. His brother the Mayor (Mr. Councillor S. Knight), who had been sitting up with him all night, was present when he died.

Mr. Knight was a native of Newbury, being a son of the late Mr. William Knight, and in common with his brothers has all his life been prominently identified with the trade of the town, and he has shown himself ever anxious to promote its welfare. He was elected a member of the Town Council in 1879, and although not frequently figuring in the public debates, he carried out his duties in a thoroughly conscientious and unostentatious manner. He rendered good service upon the Finance and Gas Committees, his business ability standing him in good stead. In due course he was called to the civic chair, which he filled in the year 1888-89, and although even then his state of health was less vigorous than could have been wished to carry out the onerous duties of the Mayoralty, he never shrunk from any of the many public and private duties that devolved upon him, and happily his system appeared none the worse for the imposition of the extra strain. His mayoralty was not uneventful, the chief public function being the Jubilee Clock in the Broadway and the unveiling of the Russian Gun.

Mr Knight’s civic administration was, however, characterised by one of very pleasing feature, and that was the cultivation of social and friendly intercourse among all ranks of society, which he was desirous to foster and encourage. Ever ready to extend his official sanction on any worthy object, studiously attentive to the routine but by no means unimportant duties of his office, of sound judgment and courteous to all, he left behind him a record, which, if it could not raise, yet most certainly maintained, the high esteem in which the mayoral office is now regarded. Mr. Knight was also an earnest and zealous Freemason, and having served in the subordinate offices, was elected Worshipful Master of both the Craft and Mark Lodges; he was also a Past Provincial officer in both Provincial Grand Lodges. He was, moreover, a director of the Newbury Building Society, and a member of the Newbury Bowling Green. Mr. Knight served his town faithfully, and his death will be truly and sincerely mourned. He leaves a widow and four sons and a daughter. His widow is the daughter of Mr. Joseph Colebrooke, an old tradesman, whom Mr. Knight succeeded in business.

The funeral will take place in the Cemetery on Saturday, the first portion of the burial service being held in the Parish Church at three o’clock.

GEORGE MITCHELL KNIGHT

The funeral of the late Mr Councillor G.M. Knight took place on Saturday afternoon. Leaving Donnington Square shortly before 3 o'clock, the body was met at the west door of the Parish Church by the Rector of Newbury (Rev. E. I. Gardiner) who read the opening sentence of the beautiful burial service. The psalm was chanted by the choir and the hymn “Mr God my Father while I stray” was sung. The lesson was read by the Rev. W. Pheasant, after which “Now the labourer's task is o'er” was sung. As a recessional the choir sang the nunc demittis and the mournful cortège was reformed and wended its way to the cemetery, where the service was concluded by the Rector.

The mourners were M rs G.M. Knight, (widow), Mr Hubert G. Knight, Mr Stanley Knight, Masters Sidney and Edgar Knight (sons), Mr Councillor Stephen Knight (Mayor of Newbury), Mr William Knight (brothers), Mr & Mrs T. Knight, Mr Councillor Hall, Mr W.E. Hall (sons-in-law), Mr G. Watts, Mr Hopwood and Mr W. I. Bravant.

The following members of the Corporation and Borough Officials were also present, attended by the mace bearers. The maces being draped: Mr Councillor Long (Deputy Mayor), Aldermen Hickman, Jackson, Lucas, Adey, Absalom, Councillors Elliott, Ravenor, A.Jackson, and Lovell. Mr W, Pettifer (Deputy Town Clerk), Mr A.E. Stickland (Borough Surveyor), and Mr J. Mason (auditor).
Amongst those present at Church and ceremony were Rev. J.G. Gibbs,(Vicar of St Mary's), Rev. J. Atkins, Mr H. Burke Godwin (Town Clerk), Dr Kerby, Messrs R. Canning, G.J.Cosburn, J. N. Day, G. Withers, C. Saunders, F.J.Coldicutt, F.J.Harrold, T.W. Graham, E.James, D.R.Jones, J.W.Kemp, J.Edmonds, R.Basing, W. Beams, Pocock, J.Rolfe, J.Pyke, Pearce, T.W. Twissell, W.Edwards, I.Hamblin, S.Knight jun., R.Reeves, A.Percy, and many others.

The coffin which was of polished oak with brass fittings, was drawn on an open funeral car, and bore the inscription:

GEORGE MITCHELL KNIGHT
Died June 3rd, 1891
Aged 53 years.

[There follows a long list of wreaths, including ones from the Mayor, the Corporation, the Newbury Working Men's Conservative Club, the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope and the Porchester Lodge of the Mark Master Freemasons.]

The Royal Standard was at half mast at the Municipal Buildings, as was the union jack at the Conservative Club. The bell at the Parish Church was tolled, and many tradesmen testified to their respect by raised shutters or drawn blind.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr H.S. Haninghton of Northbrook Street
In accordance with the wishes of the widow and family the Freemasons did not attend in Masonic clothing, although there were a large number of the Brethren present to pay a last token of fraternal respect and sympathy. 

George Mitchell Knight (1839-1891). Currier and leather merchant, inheriting his business from his father-in-law Joseph Colebrook.1 Elected to the Council 1879. Inaugurated the Jubilee Clock which formerly stood in the Broadway, replaced by the present Clock Tower in 1929.2 Director of Newbury Building Society. Mason; Master of the Craft and Mark Lodges. Brother of Stephen Knight, Mayor in 1890.