Funeral at Lympstone (1921)

Funeral at Lympstone (1921)

As part of World War 1 remembrance, the following is an account of the funeral of a Lympstone resident who fought in that war:

The funeral of Sergeant Francis Albert House, R.G.A., son of Mr and Mrs F. J. House of Barnridge, took place here. Deceased was only 29 years of age, and his death occurred at Woolwich Army Hospital, where he had been ill for some weeks. His army record was a worthy one, dating from 1907, in which year he enlisted. He was appointed trumpeter when 18 years of age and was subsequently posted as a gunner to Malta. In 1915 he went to the Dardanelles where he took part in the Battle of Anzac and was instrumental in saving some guns from a sinking ship. After serving in two battlefronts in Egypt, he was sent to Salonica and returned to England after seven years continuous service abroad. Deceased, who received every possible army certificate, was appointed Schoolmaster of No.4 Depot R.G.A. at Ripon and was master of the gunners course until the time of his death.

The greatest sympathy is felt throughout the parish for his bereaved wife and children and his parents and sisters. The service was conducted by the Rev. E. Lethbridge Kingsford. The immediate mourners were Mrs House (widow), Mr and Mrs House (parents), Mr C and Mrs Carter (brother-in-law and sister), Miss Ivy House (sister), and Mr R Adams (brother-in-law). The Army was represented by Lieut. W A Murley. Those present at the church included Mr and Mrs Barrett, Mr and Mrs Sheppard, Mr W S Jackson, Mrs and Miss Johnson, Mr T Dymond, Miss Long, Mrs Seager, Mr Rabley, Mrs Greetham and others. There were numerous beautiful floral tributes.

(With thanks to Elizabeth Thomas nee House)

If any Lympstone residents have similar memories or local interest stories they wish to share for an historical archive on the website, please contact update@lympstone.org

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