WALTER MONEY
DEATH OF MR.WALTER MONEY
THE HISTORIAN OF NEWBURY
PROMINENT IN PUBLIC LIFE
A MAN OF MANY PARTS
The greatest regret will be experienced in Newbury and South Berks generally at the death of Mr. Walter Money, F.S.A., which took place in the early hours of Monday morning at the Nursing Home in St John's Road to which he had been removed for treatment. Mr. Money had latterly been living in retirement at Shaw Dene, making occasional visits to Newbury, with the public life of which he was so intimately associated for many years, and keeping in touch with the outside world by a wireless installation, whereby he maintained intelligent interest in the larger history of the nation of which he was such a devoted student. Mr. Money's chief claim to local fame was as the historian of the town and district, and in this respect he rendered invaluable service. He was an ardent archaeologist and an author, who found abundant scope for his genius in the historical events connected with the ancient borough of Newbury and its surrounding parishes. The town owes him a debt of gratitude for his diligent research into the records of the past and presenting the result of his labours in volumes which have become standard authorities of great value. But for Mr. Money's enthusiasm and zeal much that is now “familiar as household words” would have remained buried in oblivion. A town that can boast of such a sympathetic and painstaking historian has every reason to be appreciative. By such means has its fame been noised abroad outside purely local circles, and the death of the man who was responsible therefore is a distinct loss to the community. But Mr. Money had run his course- he was ninety last August and one can only say that he well and truly served his day and generation. Almost to the last he maintained intellectual keenness and physical vigour. A well informed man, he could converse on most subjects with intelligence in what ever company he might find himself, and a more interesting companion on a ramble around the district could not be found. His knowledge of churches and country houses was unrivalled.
An old family
Mr. Walter Money was the member of an old family which for over 300 years had been established at Shaw-cum-Donnington. His great-great-great-grandfather, born in 1624, was churchwarden of Shaw at the Restoration of Charles II, and presented the petition to Parliament from the parishioners seeking redress for damage done in the village when houses and other property were burnt during the siege in 1643. His great-great-grandfather was born in 1656, great grandfather in 1720. grandfather in 1756, his father in 1785, and himself was born in 1836. His early years were spent in architectural training in London, and on the formation of the Volunteer force in 1859, he joined the London Rifle Brigade, being present at the great review held in Hyde Park by Queen Victoria in 1860. Returning to Newbury, he married Charlotte Ann, only daughter of the late Mr. George Butler, of London and Mrs Gilmore, of Herborough House, and they celebrated their golden wedding in 1915. The eldest son Walter McLachlan Money, who was a barrister of the Inner Temple, secured an appointment as H.M. Commissioner and Acting Attorney on the Gold Coast in 1897, but succumbed to the deadly climate in 1899. Mrs. Money died five years ago and since then her husband has practically retired from public life.
Local Historian
Mr. Money's principal literary effort was the compilation of “The History of the Ancient Town and Borough of Newbury” published in 1887, a bulky volume of 600 pages, which was the result of many years spent in “digging out” and collecting material and comprehensively covering the period from Roman and Saxon days to nearly the end of the nineteenth century. This history is now out of print, and whenever a copy comes into the market it is invariably snapped out at a sum much in excess of the original publication price. Mr. Money published a “Popular History of Newbury” which summarised the previous volume in attractive form, and added much further information which had been subsequently gleaned by continual research and personal participation in the events of later years. Another publication of great historical value, nationally as well as locally was “The Battles of Newbury.” It was a congenial subject, for the author was familiar with every foot of the ground on which the two great struggles took place between King and Parliament, and he had diligently studied contemporary records and literature. The book received favourable commendation from the eminent historian of the period, Professor Rawson Gardiner, and a copy was graciously accepted by Queen Victoria.
Mr. Money had a prolific pen, and wrote many other smaller histories dealing with Hungerford, Speen, Donnington Priory, a guide to Donnington Castle, the Maison Dieu at Donnington, a history of Newbury Parish Church, and many other places. For a long time he was Hon. Secretary of the Newbury Field Club, of which he was one of the founders, and edited “Transactions,” contributing much interesting matter to the pages of a number of volumes, which contain records of many places of note visited by the club in its palmy days.
Mr. Money was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquiries, and local secretary to the National Trust for places of Historic interest. In short, he was a recognised authority in all matters concerning local history, and to the columns of the “Newbury Weekly News” he was a frequent and valued contributor. It was chiefly owing to Mr. Money's persistent advocacy that the handsome memorial on Wash Common was erected to commemorate Lord Falkland and the Royalist officers who fell at the First Battle of Newbury.
In Public Life
Mr. Walter Money did not entirely confine his activities to the library and study. He took a prominent part in public life, and was always ready to support any scheme for the welfare and prosperity of Newbury. He was one of the active promoters of the Newbury, Didcot and Southampton Railway, and had the satisfaction of taking part in the ceremonial opening of the two sections, although he lived long enough to know that the original intentions of a direct route from North to South were far from realised. He also had a share in promoting the Lambourn Valley Railway, having a profound belief that Newbury's greatest need in those days was convenient communication with the districts surrounding. He was elected a member of the Town Council in 1878, and took an active part in the preliminary discussions concerning the drainage scheme, the erection of the Municipal Buildings, and the inauguration of the scheme for building Newbury District Hospital, which was the outcome of the temporary institution provided for the treatment of navvies engaged in the construction know that the original intentions of a direct of the railway [copied as printed].
He was largely responsible in collecting subscriptions for increasing the height of the Municipal clock tower, which, as constructed according to the original design, was not of sufficient altitude to show the time to different parts of the town.
Mr. Money retired from the Council in 1882. When the Berkshire County Council was formed, he was elected one of the borough representatives, and continued as such from 1889 to 1897. He made a great fight in Reading for the preservation of the educational rights of the West's Kin at Christ's Hospital, when there was a determined attempt to secure a transference of administration of the fund to the county authority.
Work for the Church
Mr. Money had a great love for the parish church of St Nicholas, with which he was intimately associated for so many years. One of his proudest moments was when he acted as guide to the Duke of Cambridge, who paid a visit during military manoeuvres in the neighbourhood. He was a friend of the Rector, Rev. J.L. Randall, at the period of restoration, and subsequently of his successor, Rev. E. Imber Gardiner. One of the founders of the St. Nicholas Stained Glass Window Society, he acted as hon. Treasurer, and witnessed the greater portion of the scheme to beautify the church carried out. As Rector's church warden from 1880 to 1895, he discharged many congenial duties as trustee and proctor of the charities, manager of the church schools, chairman of the Church Estates Committee, governor of the Grammar School.
Mr. Money enjoyed the personal friendship of the fourth Earl of Carnarvon, Lord and Lady Wantage, the late Mr. William George Mount, Mr. C.E. Keyser, and other leading county residents.
Mr. Money designed the Berks County Council arms used for sealing official documents.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday afternoon, the service being held at the Parish Church of St Nicholas, with which the deceased was for so many years actively associated as churchwarden, and discharging other administrative duties, besides having elucidated its history in complete form. The Rector of Newbury (Rev. L.R. Majendie) conducted the service, which was of a simple character. The hymn “Abide with me,” was impressively sung. Mr. Ernest Watson was at the organ, and at the outset played Spohr's “Blest are the departed,” the concluding voluntary being Handel's air “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”
The mourners were Mr. G. Chester Money (son), Mr. H. de V. Gipps (grandson), Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Barnes (niece),Mr. and Mrs. Broome Pinniger (niece), Mr. E. Gifford Wells.
Among those present were Dr. Edward Somerset, Mr. A.E.O. Slocock, Mr. G. J. Watts, representing the Newbury District Field Club; Alderman Adrian Hawker (churchwarden), Councillor Arthur Elliott, Messrs. Rupert Adey, F.H. Stillman, Hugh Turner, A. Marshall (Snelsmore), A. Wellington, W.G. Stillman, etc.
Floral offerings were contributed by Chester (son); daughter and grandson; Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Count and family; Mr. and Mrs. Gifford Wells; Reginald and Lydia; Harry and Bessie; Mrs. Herbert J. Finn; Mrs. Charles Money; Mr. and Mrs. Broome Pinniger; Harry and Bessie; Dr. and Mrs. S. Hemsted; Mrs. Vincent; from Durrant and Amy.
The interment was in Newbury Cemetery.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. E.B. Hitchman, Oxford-street.
Newbury Weekly News 21 October 1926
Mrs. P. p.68 Ch 18(D) 1836-1926
Buried 20 October 1926 aged 90 from 35 St. John's Road. Book 1917 p.110 No. 10477
Also Charlotte Ann 1839-1922 (wife)
Margaret E. G. Money 1879-1915
Charlotte Ann Gillmore 1805-1887
Grace C.M.B. Cipps, daughter of Walter Money 2 July 1878-20 April 1963
Cipps on Headstone Gibbs in Burial Records (Mrs. P.)
BMD Deaths gives GIPPS
A grandson named GIPPS is listed amongst the mourners and burial record for GRACE clearly says GIPPS
