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--- Obituary in "Northampton Mercury" 02 Apr 1909, page 9:
DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM HUMPHERY
Great Brinton's Friend.
We regret to announce the death of Sir William Henry Humphery, K.C.B., of the Cottage, Brignton, which occurred at his London residence, 23, Bruton-street, on Wednesday, as the result of pneumonia, following upon influenza.
The deceased Baronet had beenn in such indifferent health for some time that the sad news will come as no surprise, but at the same time the loss of so kinly natured a getleman will be felt by his friends, and, perhaps to an even great extent, bu the villagers of Great Brington, by whom he was much liked. Sir William was a Hampshire man, and spent the best part of his life in that county. His residence in Northamptonshire was spent almost in retirement so far as public work was concerned, but he performed many quite acts of philanthropy, and in the village showed constant consideration for the interests of the people about him. For some years he and Lady Humphery gave a new year's treat to the inhabitants of Brignton, and these little gatherings, which Sir William and Lady Humphery and other leading RESIdents usually attended, were greatly enjoyed. Last January the treat was postponed on account of the state of Sir William's health, but he expressed the hope that before long he would be so far recovered that the party would be possible.
Sir William was born on March 25, 1827, and thus celebrated his 82nd birthday only last Thursday. He was the son of Alderman John Humphery, a member of Parliament for Southwark, and Lord Mayor of London in 1842-3. He was educated at Winchester and Wadham College, Oxford, and though a keen student, he was a good athlete and excelled as an oarsman. At Winchester he was captain of the school football team, and at Oxford he became captain of his boat, leaving not before he was head of the river. Among his victories were the winning of the Henley Grand Challenge Cup, the Wyfold Cup, and the Ladies' Cup.
One of his greatest interest was Volunteering. He joined in 1860, and for many years from 1863 was commandant of the 1st V.B. Hants Regiment, subsequently becoming Brigadier General of the Portsmouth Volumnteer Infantry Brigade. He possessed the Victoria Decoration.
From 1863 to 1867 Sir William sat in Parliament as the Conservative member for Andover, and in 1868 he was created a baronet. Among other honours that came to him later were his appointment to be High Sheriff of Hampshire in 1873, to be C.B. (1887), and in 1892 to be K.C.B.
Sir William made the law his profession and in 1852 was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple. He was twice married, his first wife dying in 1897. The marriage with his second wife, who survives him, took place in 1898. Lady Humphery is a duaghter of the late Baron Alderson and a sister-in-law of the late Marquis of Salisbury. There was no issue of either marriage.
--- Funeral Description in "Northampton Mercury" 09 Apr 1909, page 3:
SIR WILLIAM HUMPHERY
Funeral at Brington.
In the peaceful old village of Great Brington, where his many kindnesses had made him beloved, the mortal remains of Sir William Henry Humphery, K.C.B., were on Saturday committed to the earth. The coffin was brought down from London by the 10.10 from Euston, and was conveyed from Nothampton to the village church by hearse. Of the Guild of St. Alban pattern, it bore the inscription:
In Memoriam.
Sir William Henry Humphery,
Died 31st March, 1909.
The funeral was attended by distinguished relatives and friends, and a great number of sorrowing villagers, who were present to show a last mark of respect. The interment took place in a newly-dug grave, near the east gate of the churchyard, and nor far from the tombs of the late Countess Spencer and the late Viscountess Althorp.
The chief mourners were:--- Lord Hugh Cecil (nephew), Lord Robert Cecil (nephew), Mr. E.L.S. Cocks, London (nephew), Captain Wyld (nephew), Mr. John Humphrey, London (nephew), Mr. J.E. Humphery, West Ilsley (nephew), Mr. R. Humphery, London (nephew), Mr. Ernest Humphery, London (nephew), Mr. Ralph Alderson (nephew), Miss Contstance Humphery (niece); and there were also present: --- Lord Althorp, Mrs. D.C. Guthrie, Captain Close, Mr. Neville Thursby, Mr. A.E. Savile (London), Mr. A.L.Y. Morley, Dr. Churehouse (Long Buckby), Rev. T. Wykes, Mr. and Mrs. Eaton Kimbell, Mr. T.W. Thornton (Brockhall), Mr. T. Smith, Mr. J. Wykes, etc.
The Rev. Montagu Alderson (nephew), rector of Lutterworth, assisted the Rev. William Martin, rector of Great Brington, in the impressive service, the first portiion of which was conducted in the ancient church. The hymn "On the Resurrection Morning" was sung, followed by the Ninetieth Psalm. As the coffin was borne to the grave, by a number of villagers and cut-door servants, the organist, Mr. E.C. Warren, played Beethoven's pathetic "Funeral March." The church choir was in attendance, and at the grave-side led the singing of "Peace, Perfect Peace."
The bearers were: Mr. T. Manning (gardener), Mr. W. Woolman, Mr. J. Treadgold (gardener), Mr. Eli Dunkley, Mr. R. Oldfield, Mr. J. Callow, Mr. A. Burdett, and Mr. J. Smith. The grave had been lavishly lined with violets, lilies, white hyacinths, begonias, and ivy, on a groundworks of moss --- the work of Mr. J. Treadgold.
Exquisite flowers were sent by: --- Frank, Stanley, Constance, Mabel, and Eva Humphery; from Henry, Blassett, and Ralph, Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Humphery, Mr. John E. Humphery, Miss Katherine Alderson; Captain and Mrs. Charles Wyld; Edward and Amabel Somers-Cocks, Mr. and Mrs. E.L. and Miss Amabel Somers-Cocks; Mrs. Cecil Alderson, Lord and Lady Salisbury, Lord Spencer, Lady Sarah Spencer, the Countess of Cork, the Duchess of Grafton, Lord and Lady Newlands, Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft, Lady Haliburton, Mrs. I. Alexander Fuller-Maitland, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Boulter, Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie, Ted and Gwen Cazenove; the Rev. William Martin; the English and Scottish Life Assurance Association; the Treadgolds (gardeners) and Mr. Thomas Manning and William Anderson (grooms); and the house servants.
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
A memorial service was held on Saturday afternoon at St. Mary's Church, Bourdon-street, Berkeley-square, where Sir William had been a regular worshipper. The Rev. David Anderson, the rector, officiated, and the service was choral. The "Death of Ase," from Grieg's "Peer Gynt," was played as an opening voluntary, and the "Dead march" in "Saul" at the end of the service. The humns were "Now the labourer's task is o'er" and "Peace, perfect peace." Among those present at the service were Lady Winchester, Dowager Lady Shrewsbury, Dowager Lady Gifford and the Hon. Edith Gifford, Sir Charles Alderson, Major-General Sir Henry Alderson and Lady Alderson, Lady Robert Cecil, Sir Edward Henry, Major-General Sir Francis Clery, Captain Humphery (nephew), and Mrs. Humphery, Mrs. Frank Alderson, Mr. Edward Alderson, Mrs. Alfred Goldsmid, Miss Balfour, Miss Beresford Hope, Mr. H.R. Graham, Mr. Howard Cockerell, the Misses Monk, Miss Milbourn Humphery, Mr. James Somers-Cocks, Mrs. Amabel Somers-Cocks, Mr. Larnach, Major Gilbert Stirling, Mr. Walter P. Norton, Mrs. Robert Birkbeck, the Misses St. Quintin, Dr Theodore Williams, Mr. M.F. Monier-Williams, Major Lascelles, Mr. Raglan Somerset, Mr. Noel, Colonel Stilwell and Major Johnson, representing the 4th Hampshire Regiment, and Mr. A.G. Soctt, representing the English and Scottish Law Life Association, of which the late Sir William was chairman.
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