THE LATE MR. W. WHYMAN

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS A LICENSEE

The death of Mr. William Whyman, landlord of the Coopers’ Arms, Newbury, occurred on Thursday at the age of 59.  He had been in ill-health for ten months, and spent some weeks in the St. John’s-road Nursing Home.  Recovering sufficiently, he was able to get out and about, but a relapse occurring he returned to the nursing home, where death took place.  William Whyman came of a family of license-holders.  His father was for 45 years landlord of the Swan Inn, Charing; a brother holds the license of the King’s Head, Charing; and another brother is landlord of the Invicta Hotel, Ashford.  Two sons-in-law are licensees at the “Red House”, Highclere, and the “White House,” Thatcham.  William Whyman was born at Charing, and in his early days he was employed at the local railway station. 

Twenty-five years ago he came from London to take the license of the Coopers’ Arms, and being of a genial and obliging disposition, soon established a connection, especially in the catering for commercial travellers.  In this department he was greatly assisted by Mrs. Whyman, whose good cooking and attention to the comfort of the guests were broadcast through the commercial rooms of the country, and the Coopers’ Arms became a favourite house for business men on the road, who appreciate home comforts on their journeys.  Many of the old-fashioned customs are no longer observed, but, the travellers enjoy a good meal at the end of a tiring day, and a comfortable place in which to write out their orders.  They knew these would be always provided for them, and the “Coopers’ Arms” seldom lacked a full house.

The local farmers also found the market ordinary a substantial and satisfying meal, and a regular company assembled on Thursdays, always including the Enborne contingent.  Mr. George Budd, of Shaw, has carved legs of mutton there for twenty-five years.  In other directions the house enjoyed a reputation for good feeding, and clubs and associations held their annual gatherings there.  Mr. Whyman was a quiet, unassuming man, who took little part in town affairs, but was always ready to help a good cause.  He was a Mason, a Buffalo, and a member of the Newbury Bowling Club.

Thre was a large attendance at the funeral service, conducted in the Parish Church on Monday afternoon by the Rev. C. B. Clayton.

The mourners were Mrs. W. Whyman (widow), Messrs. Harry Whyman, Bert Whyman and Victor Whyman (brothers), Mrs. Staunton and Mrs. Winter (daughters), Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Millsted, Mrs. Gardiner and Mrs. Horton (sisters), Miss Whyman, Miss Staunton (grand-daughter), Mrs. Dew (cousin), Mr. Brown (brother-in-law), Mr. Spicer, Mr. and Mrs. Whyman (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. Winter and Mr. Staunton (sons-in-law), Bert and Mrs. Wells (staff).

Amongst those present were the Deputy-Mayor (Councillor Frank Hill), Messrs. P. Chillingworth, H. Rummins and J. Brighton (representing the Bowling Club), Dr. Edward Somerset and Mr. V. C. Knight (Newbury Brewery), Mr. Walter Burton (South Berks Brewery), Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Summers, Messrs. H. J. Luckes and E.J. Bere (Enborne), Messrs. F. J. Cambridge, J. Fabry, G. Budd, B. Kimber, E. Bennett, H. C. Commerford, A. J. Cox, A. G. Cox, H. H. Beasley,  R. Adey, J. Wigmore, W. N. Chatterton, A. Sully, S. Fabry, F. J. Addison, F. Clark, Councillor and Mrs. R. F. Jeffery, Mr. and Mrs. Fitch, Mr. and Mrs. C. Ball, Messrs. C. Matthews, H. Taylor, G. Jenkins, Mrs. New, Mrs. Ilsley, Miss Lottie Dewe, W. J. Leamon, etc.

A large number of members of the Royal and Ancient Order of Buffaloes took part in the funeral procession, the lodges represented being the Jack of Newbury, Winchcombe, Cromwell and Colthrop.  The latter, of which deceased was a member, supplied four bearers, who carried the body from the Cemetery Chapel to the graveside.  Following the interment, the members formed a link around the grave, and Past Provincial Grand Primo C. Steptoe conducted the funeral ritual of the Order.  All the forty-five members were wearing regalia, and the spectacle was impressive.  The members filed past the grave and dropped ivy leaves upon the coffin.

The wreaths included from: Lyd; Grace and Will; Blanche and Will; Nell and family; May and Will; Harry and Floss; Gert and Harry; Jue, Alec and family; Bert and Amy; Annie and John; Vic and Lou; Lizzie and George;  Dorie and Bert; Jack, Lizzie and Bert; Edie and Nellie; Mrs. Swain (London); Cousin Edie and Bert Harvey (London); Stonham family (London); Mrs. Henham; Mrs. Gordon Swinley; Miss Wellock (nurse); Mr. Dudley Finn; Market Ordinary; Norah Prestoe and C. White; Ingleside Nursing Home; R.A.O.B. (Newbury); R.A.O.B. (Kingsclere); Old Friend (Wallingford); Amy Skinner (Southsea); Friends of Red House, Highclere; Mr. and Mrs. Greenham and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Holland (Weston House); Mr. and Mrs. Jewell (Chiswick); Master Duckett and Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Grover; Mr. and Mrs. Inch; The Newbury Brewery; Elsie, Vi and Bert (staff); Mr. and Mrs. Prosser; C. Dalby and family; Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Cox and Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Cameron; Mrs. New (Gloucester-road); Mr. and Mrs. C. Matthews; Mrs. Booth and family (Dolphin Hotel); Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Brown and Joan (Headley); Cousin Nance and Lottie; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Rhodes; Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Stillman and family; Masons (Victory Lodge); Mrs. Clarke and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Palmer (Market Hotel, Ashford, Kent); Mr. and Mrs. Annetts; Employees of the Newbury Brewery; Cousins Bert and Ethel; Licensed Victuallers, Newbury; Old Friends of “The Coopers’ Arms”; Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Pyke (Oddfellows’ Hall); Mr. F. Staunton and Dorothy; L. Stagg; Mr. and Mrs. Stride; Highclere Castle Staff; Mr. and Mrs. A. Harrison; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Pyke and family; Mr. and Mrs. Vince (Bartholomew-street); Mr. D.  Pengally and Mr. Maynard (commercials); Customers of “Cooopers’ Arms”; Mr. and Mrs. H. Winter and daughter; Mr. and Mrs. T. Randall and family; Mr. and Mrs. Summers and family (Enborne); Ethel; W. R. Lewis; Mrs. E. Collins (Whitway); Mr. and Mrs. Tombs (Leckhampstead); Mr. and Mrs. Morris and Mr. and Mrs. Mummery, Charing; J.T.

The arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Camp Hopson and Co.

Newbury Weekly News dated 1 December 1927.

Mrs. P. Code WB22, page 49.  He died on 24 November 1927, aged 59 years.

Also his widow Sarah Lydia Whyman who died on 5 January 1945 aged 76 years.

Also Grace Staunton, daughter of William Whyman, who died on 18 December 1932, aged 44 years.

Book No.1917; Page 120; Record No.10556