Reading Standard Etc 03-1915

PATRIOTIC FAMILIES.
SIX BROTHERS ON SERVICE.
An interesting feature of our Roll of Honour is the large number of cases where every son of a family is serving in the Army or Navy. Often four, and sometimes six men have gone from one household, and similar instances may doubtless be found throughout the country. The self-sacrifice of parents in encouraging their boys to risk death or life-long disablement in their country's cause is not less praiseworthy than the heroism of the soldiers and sailors themselves.
GEORGE HARRIS, Royal Field Artillery.
HENRY HARRIS, Royal Berks Regiment.
EDWARD HARRIS, Royal Field Artillery.
These brothers from loyal little Childrey: each has been to the Front and each has been in hospital wounded or sick. Henry served in the Boer War and earned two medals and five bars.
Sergt. J. H. CHAMPION, of Binfield, and his Five Brothers.
Sgt. J. H. CHAMPION, H Co. National Reserve, 4th Berks.
Pte, J. CHAMPION, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Drv. H. C. CHAMPION, Royal Field Artillery.
Stoker CHRIS. CHAMPION, H. M. A. S. Melbourne.
ARTHUR CHAMPION, H. M. S. Tigress.
Rfn. ROBERT CHAMPION, 8th Batt. Rifle Brigade.
Mr. HENRY POULTER, of Whitley Wood Lane, Reading, and his Six Sons. Four of the family have concluded their service in the Army and three are still with the Colours.
Bdr. A. E. POULTER, Royal Field Artillery.
Pte. SID POULTER, 6th Batt. Royal Berks Regiment.
Corpl. ALF POULTER, 1st Batt. Royal Berks Regiment.
HENRY POULTER, sen., late 3rd Batt. Royal Berks Regt.
Pte. HENRY JOHN POULTER, jun., late 3rd Batt. Royal Berks Regt.
Pte. W. T. POULTER, late 3rd Batt. Royal Berks Regt.
Pte. F. G. POULTER, late 5th Dragoon Guards.
Sons of Mr. W. PRICE, 2, Park Cottages, Emmer Green, Reading. Three of the four are at the Front.
Pte. J. J. PRICE, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Bbr. ARTHUR PRICE, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Driver HARRY PRICE, Royal Field Artillery.
Gnr. F. W. PRICE, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Sons of Mr.G. SEARLE, New Road, Bracknell.
Pte. R. SEARLE, 1st Batt. Royal Berks Regt.
Pte. W. SEARLE, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Pte. H. SEARLE, Army Service Corps.
Pte. G. SEARLE, 11th Batt. Hampshire Regt.
THE LATE CAPT. FRANK RUSHBY.
Vicar of Sonning's Eloquent Tribute.
The last sad rites in connection with the late Captain Frank Rushby, R. F. A., of Erleigh Court, were performed at Sonning on Monday, and many were the manifestations of sorrow that one so full of life and vigour, so eager to be of service to his parish and to his country, should be called to rest so suddenly. Passionately fond of Sonning, it was fitting that he should be laid to rest in the quietude of God's are there. The grave was beautifully lined with evergreens and snowdrops (the work of Captain Rushby's gardener, Mr G. Gardner), and there were many lovely floral tributes. The coffin, on which rested the deceased's soldier's cap, was enveloped in a Union Jack. Representatives of many public bodies attended the service, which was taken by the Vicar, the other surpliced clergy being the Rev. Canon Fowler (Vicar of Earley), the Rev. H. Wardley King and the Rev. F. F. Penruddock (Vicar of Woodley). The hymns were "On the Resurrection morning" and "Peace, perfect peace," and at the graveside the Last Post was sounded.
The Mourners.
The mourners were: The widow and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jerrard, Mr. and Mrs. T. Webber Jerrard (father and mother of Mrs. Rushby), Mr. and Mrs. Charles Williamson, Mr. John Whelen and Colonel Jerrard.
There were also present Mrs. Leslie Wilson, Mr. F. A. Simonds, Mr. Ernest Whelan, Mr. H. G. Willink (Chairman of the Berkshire Education Committee), Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. F. Sutton, Mr. E. P. Foquett Sutton, Sir Percy Sanderson, K. C. M. G., Lieut.-Colonel Lockhart and Mr. Walter Green (representing the1st Berks National Reserve), Colonel J. E. Broadbent, C. B., Colonel Hodgson, Lieut. A. R. Williamson (7th Middlesex), Lieut.
P. G. Rouse and Lieut. H. Rich, with the Battery Sergt.-Major, four N. C. O.'s and six men from the "C" Battery R. F. A., Mr. C. E. Hewett, Miss Comyns, Mrs. Iltid Witherington and Miss Witherington, Mr. C. Wanklyn, Mr. Richard Lea, Mr. E. D. Heelas, Miss Deare, Mr. E. W. Brooks (representing Sonning Golf Club), Major T. J. Wheble, Miss Wheble, Mrs. Rushbrooke, Miss Radcliffe, Miss Holmes, Miss Mason, Mrs. Penruddock, Mr. J. H. Jones (hon. secretary Wellington Club), Mr. Arthur Ayres, Mr. E. D. Fraser, Mr. A. H. Peach, Mr.L. Brigham, Mr. Chas. Pope, Miss K. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Bull, Mr. A Allen (secretary Royal Berks Friendly Society), Mr. George Aldridge (representing the Woodley School Managers), Messrs. J. Hunt, T. Brown, J. Field, H. Nott, W. Purber, C. Hearn, W. Walters, A. Allen, H. King and S. D. Carter (representing Messrs. Jerrard, Darby and Clegg. Ltd.), Sergt.-Major Evans and Sergt. Edwards (representing the Berks Yeomanry, Bear Wood), Mr. J. Eighteen, Mr. E. Cox, Mr. E. W. Dormer, Mr. F. W. Harries, Mrs. F. J. Lewis (president of the Abbey Ward Women's Conservative Association), etc.
Floral Emblems.
The many beautiful floral tributes included those from the widow and two daughters; "His devoted mother and father"; "Dickie, Dora and Beneditta"; Annette and Maggie"; "Alison"; Charlie and Edith Jerrard"; Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Wilson; "C" Battery, 98th Brigade R. F. A., "with kind remembrance from the N. C. O.'s and men of "B" sub-section; "His fellow officers of the 98th Brigade - a floral token of the love and esteem in which he was held by all who knew him"; the N. C. O.'s and men of "A" sub-section "C" Battery, 98th Brigade, R. F. A., Lewes; 1st Batt. Royal Berks National Reserve and Caversham and Reading Veterans' Association; Priscilla, Lady Newnes; Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Simonds; "Madge and Bertie Whelan"; Mrs. Ramsey Blackmore and family; Dr. and Mrs. A. J. Rice-Oxley; Mr. and Mrs. C. Beresford Chancellor; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Christie-Miller; Mr. John Leman Whelan; Mr. John P. O'Donnell; Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Foquett Sutton; Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. F. Sutton; Mr. and Mrs. W. James Susmann; Mr. E. W. Brooks; Captain J. St. L. Wheble; Major Wheble and Miss N. Wheble; Mr. and Mrs. S. Dixon Carter; Mr. Joseph Rushbrooke and Mrs. Rushbrooke; Miss Louisa H. Colvill; Mr. and Mrs. T. Wharton Ford; Mr. Peter Keevil; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Curl; Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Hull; "Joan, Olive and Nancy Powell"; Miss Deare; Capt. and Mrs. J. S. Henderson; Mr. and Mrs. J. Friedlander; Misses Dashwood, Sonning; "Harry and Connie," The Homestead, Thorpe St. Andrew, Norwich; Dr. and Mrs. Norman May; The Misses Beauchamp; the Treasurer (Mr. F. A. Sarjeant) and members of the Earley Working Men's Club; the members of the Earley Flower Show; the Staff at Wood Street; the Travellers at Wood Street; and the Staff at Erleigh Court.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Heelas, under the personal supervision of Mr. W. B. Fordham.
PULPIT REFERENCE.
He Never Spared Himself.
An eloquent and touching reference to Captain Rushby's memory was made by the Vicar (the Rev. G. P. Crawfurd) at Sonning Church on Sunday morning. He said: It will, I think, be in accordance with the wish of the congregation if I voice the common feeling of sad regret that again, after so short an interval, our neighbourhood and our village should have to mourn the loss of one who had gone from it to serve the country's cause. Frank Rushby passed away in the early hours of Friday morning, after a few days' illness, and in the strength and vigour of his life. I knew him with the knowledge of a close and intimate friendship, and to speak of him in such a capacity would be to use language of appreciation perfectly real and sincere to myself, but which could not find an echo of reality in the hearts of those who knew him less intimately. But in his character as a public man he was as remarkable as in his organisations for which he was the inspiring force.
A Thorough Soldier.
I think the fervour of his patriotism could scarcely be exceeded. From the first moment the war began he longed to be doing something in his country's cause, and it seemed as if he only came to the vocation of his life when he put on one side the exigencies of business and the ties of an ideal home and gave himself whole heartedly to the military work in which he contracted the illness which brought about the end. He was a thorough soldier; all the strategy of the war he followed from the first with an almost professional accuracy. He brought to his new appointment scientific knowledge which he had gained in earlier life, and he had already become a valuable and trusted officer, loved by his men and popular with his fellow officers. It seems a strange and pathetic irony that his offering of himself for his country's cause should have been so soon arrested. But God knows. We see only the intention; but God sees the intention developed into the fruit it was intended to bear.
Splendid Devotion.
Like a soldier he never bragged. He never once hurled defiant words at the enemy, but he did own at the last that he did not want to go before he had thrown a shell into the enemy's last fortress. He falls then, if not with the glory of a man who actually falls on the battlefield, in the radiance reflected from it. And we non-combatants have to mourn another of those who have given their lives for us and for our homes with such splendid devotion and in that self-sacrifice which makes Him welcome them as brothers and kindred spirits on the other shore, Who gave Himself for us men and for our salvation.
THE LATE CAPTAIN FRANK RUSHBY.
A BUGLER SOUNDS THE LAST POST.

P. S. S. WORKER, ODDFELLOW AND OLD VOLUNTEER.
Broad St. Brotherhood lost an active member in Mr. Charles Clark, of 142, Great Knollys Street, who died on February 22nd, aged 73. Mr. Clark, who joined the Brotherhood soon after its inception, was a member of the Berkshire Lodge of Oddfellows for over half-a-century. For 19 years a member of the Volunteer Force, he won many shooting prizes, and he was also a member of the Caversham and Reading Veterans' Association and regularly attended the parades. By trade he was a bricklayer, and he worked on many important buildings in the neighbourhood, including Bear Wood.
His brother, Mr. Robert Clark, has served in the Royal Engineers, while several others of his near relatives are now serving with the forces.
The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Saturday, the first part of the service, held at Broad Street Church, being attended by many members of the Brotherhood. The Rev. W. M. Rawlinson, who officiated, referred to the untiring efforts of Mr. Clark in connection with that body.
The mourners were Mrs. George Clark (daughter-in-law), Mr. George Clark (grandson), Miss Katie Clark and Miss Ella Clark (granddaughters), Mr. Thomas Clark (grandson), Mr. Charles Evans (nephew), and Mrs. Compton and Mrs. Sargeant (nieces).
Floral tributes were sent by his wife, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Mr. and Mrs. Milborrow, Mr. and Mrs. E. Simonds and nephew and niece, and Mrs. Lister.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. A. B. Walker and Sons, of Crown Street.
Mentioned in Despatches.
Captain S. V. Shea, of the 9th County of London (Queen Victoria Rifles), who was the only officer of the regiment to be mentioned in despatches, is a member of the firm of Messrs. H. and G. Simonds, Ltd., son of the late Dr. Shea and of Mrs. Shea, of Bradfield, and a nephew of Mr. George Blackall-Simonds.
At present in a convalescent home in Rouen recuperating from a severe attack of influenza, Captain Shea is expected home shortly. An old Bradfield boy, he is a fine footballer, and many will remember the sterling displays he gave at right back for Reading in the amateur days. In the cricket field he showed equal prowess; he was a tremendous hitter and kept wicket for Berkshire. As a violinist Captain Shea also gained repute. He is the youngest surviving son of Mrs. Shea; Lieut. Geoffrey Shea, his younger brother, was killed in action in the South African War.
CAPTAIN S. V. SHEA.
WAR HERO WEDDED.
Lance-Corpl. A. E. Burchell, 1st Batt. Royal Berkshire Regiment, and Mrs. Burchell, photographed at their wedding at Whitley Hall, Reading, on Saturday. The bridegroom was mentioned in despatches for gallant conduct, and was invalided home wounded.