WALTER GEORGE RICE

POSTMAN'S FUNERAL
The death took place last week of Walter George Rice, for many years a town
postman, but who, in consequence of failing health, had been superannuated
since the beginning of 1908. He entered the Post Office as a telegraph
messenger, and in time he became a town postman. His age was only 32, and
his death has been much regretted by his late comrades and friends.
This was evidenced at the funeral on Saturday, when the town and country
postmen attended in uniform to offer the last mark of respect to their
deceased colleague. The body was borne from the house in Madeira-place to
the Cemetery on the shoulders of postmen, the following acting as an
alternate bearer party, Messrs. J.E. Bolton, R.W.
Winterbourne, J. Stephens, J. Witts, W. Fleck, W. Harris, J. Harris, and H.
Barrett.
The postmen present numbered nineteen, including the head postman, Mr
Charles Langton.
There were also present at the graveside, the Mayor (Mr Councillor Pratt),
Rev. F.W. Clarke, Mr. J.C. Slight (deceased's schoolmaster), Mr. T. S. Waite
(chief clerk) and Mr. F.C. Botsford, indoor staff, representing the Newbury
Post Office, Mr. H. Beer (Liberal Club), a deputation from the P.S.A., and
four veteran postal pensioners, John Holder, Edward Taylor, Frederick Snook
and William Freeman.
The mourners were Mrs. Rice (widow), Mr. Leonard Rice (brother), Mrs. Rice
(mother), Miss Rice (sister), Mr. and Mrs. Willis (father and mother of the
widow), Mrs. Thompson (aunt).
The Rev. G. J. Knight conducted the funeral service, and gave an impressive
address at the graveside.
Newbury Weekly News 23 March 1907
Mrs P. p. 138 LS (B) 15
Died 18 March 1907
Bk 1899p 135 no. 8278
BMD
Birth JunQ 1874 Newbury 2c 226
Marriage Sept Q 1901 Newbury 2c 547

to Fanny Willis