(Transcription) Western Morning News • 03 May 1922, page 3
LATE LD. ST. GERMANS
IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL SCENES.
LARGE GATHERING.
As though by the irony of fate, joyous sunshine yesterday seemed to mock the sorrowful inhabitants of St. Germans as they flocked to pay their last tribute to one who had been not only their earl and landlord, but also one of their closest friends. The whole parish mourned. Hardly a house but had its blinds drawn; the school was closed, and everyone was attired to some extent in sombre black.
The village street was thronged from an early hour with people who came from near and far. They came by train, by motor, in horse-drawn vehicles, and on foot; peer and ploughman rubbing shoulders in the vast crowd where grief made all men equal.
Beautiful in its simplicity, the funeral of John Granville Cornwallis Eliot, sixth Earl of St. Germans, afforded ample evidence of the widespread love with which he was regarded by his tenants and by all who had come into contact with him. The absence of ostentation emphasized the great bereavement which the family have sustained, and in which they have the real sympathy of the whole of the Westcountry, while the quiet, yet fervent manifestation of affection and sympathy must have been deeply consoling to those the late earl's untimely death in South Africa has plunged into grief.
The body, which had arrived at St. Germans from Southampton the previous evening, had reposed during the night in the hall of Port Eliot, the interior of which was half hidden beneath countless wreaths emitting a mingled fragrance. The coffin, concealed under a Union Jack, was laden with flowers from members of the family— parting gifts to he who was sleeping his last sleep beneath the ancestral roof.
At 10 o'clock members of the family and a few friends attended Holy Communion, celebrated by Rev. C.S. Fleet, M.C., M.A., the new vicar, and as soon as this was concluded the wonderful old church rapidly began to fill, although the funeral service was not timed to commence until nearly an hour later. Long before the cortege left the house every seat in the church was filled, and a large crowd was compelled to remain outside.
The coffin was borne on its short journey from the house to the church by tenantry, other tenants and employees lining either side of the path. It was followed by a long procession, whose slow and dignified progress was momentarily checked as it was met at the western door by the Bishop of Truro and a number of other surpliced clergy.
After the opening sentences had been recited by the vicar, the lesson was read by the Bishop, followed by the singing of the hymn "How bright these glorious spirits shine." The sunlight streaming through the beautiful stained glass windows cast a soft glow on the white surplices of the clergy and softened the hard grey outlines of the ancient fabric; the coffin in the shadows was glorious beneath a bed of blooms— the one vivid not against a background of mourning.
Prayers were offered by Canon W. Westmacott, vicar of Probus, who was formerly at St. Germans, and Chancellor S. Gordon Ponsonby, rector of Stoke Damerel, Plymouth, the service concluding with the singing of "For all the Saints." Then the coffin was borne from the church amid the melancholy sweetness of Chopin's "Marche Funebre."
THE FAMILY VAULT.
From the church to the quiet little burial ground the bearers were relays of tenants and employees. The family vault lies on the slope of the hillside, between the railway and the high road, and is hidden from both by yew trees and laurels. Several simply-inscribed tablets on its surface record the names of members of the family, including John, the first Earl of St. Germans, who was born on September 30, 1761, and died November 17, 1823. Owing to the slope of the ground the vault is in three tiers; it is enclosed by a high kerb and sumounted by a large plain granite cross which bears the date of its erection, 1803.
The final rites were conducted by the Bishop as the coffin was lowered into the moss, ivy, and cherry-blossom-lined grave, concluding with the impressive threefold blessing and the singing of the "Nunc Dimittis." Then commenced a long stream of inhabitants, who filed past, the members of Eliot Lodge of Freemasons, of which the late Earl was a past warden, throwing sprigs of acacia into the open grave.
The widowed Countess, her mother, the Duchess of Beaufort, and her sister, Lady Diana Somerset, attended the service in the church only. Other members of the family and close friends who were present were the Dowager Countess of St. Germans (mother), Mr. Montague C. Eliot, Mr. Christian Eliot, Mr. Edward Eliot, the Hon. Cyril W. Ponsonby, and Mr. E.A.V. Stanley (cousins), Julia Countess of Dartrey, Maj. Ellis and Mr. A.F. Basset.
The household staff from Penmadown included Mr. Burnett (butler), and Miss Clarke (housekeeper), and the Dowager Countess's household staff at 32, Eaton-square, London, were represented by Mr. R. Palmby and Mrs. Palmby.
The late earl's old regiment, the Royal Scots Greys, was represented by Maj. John Hardy and Capt. S. Cornwallis; and the family solicitor, Mr. A.B.B. Wilson, of London, was also in the church.
Others present were the Marquis of Worcester, Baron de Tuyll, Lady Beatrice Pole-Carew, the Earl of Leven and Melville, the Earl of Morley, the Earl and Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Countess Fortescue, Lord and Lady Vivian, Captain the Hon. L.M. St. Aubyn, Lord St. Levan, Sir Henry Lopes, Captain T.E. Bisdee and Captain T.G.L. Elliott, representing the depot of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, at Bodmin; Brigadier-General and Mrs. Tatham, General Porter (Treraton), Captain Compton, Lieut.-Colonel W.P. Drury, Colonel G.S. Meadows, Captain and Mrs. Coryton, Mrs. William Coryton Admiral Sir James and Lady Fergusson, Major G.S.S. Strode, Major C.G.C. Elers, Colonel and Lady Mary Trefusis, Captain Charles Tremayne, Commander R.J. Howard, Mr. J. de C. Treffry, and Major Hall-Parlby.
The North Cornwall Hunt was represented by Lord Vivian, Mr. T. Hext, Mr. A. Browning Lyne, Mr. J.E. Hill, and Dr. A.G. Salmon; the Dartmoor Hunt by the Master (Commander T.H. Davey), the Sperling Harriers by the Master (Mr. Clarence Spooner), and the Dartmoor Otter Hounds by the Master (Mr. J. Goodwin), other Hunt representatives being Fleet-Surg. H. Harries, R.N., and Capt. Babington.
Mr. W. Hawke and Mr. W.L. Platts (clerk of the peace) represented the Cornwall County Council; Canon Westmacott the Dean and Chapter of Truro Cathedral; Supt. Drew (Liskeard) and Insp. Bread (Torpoint) the Cornwall Count Constabulary; Mr. N. Humphrys the Cornwall County Cricket Club; Mr. J.F. Childs and Mr. J.R. Barker the Looe Lifeboat Committee; Chancellor S. Gordon Ponsonby the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport; Mr. K.G. Foster, St. Germans Football Club; Mr. W.G.G. Parsons, representing Mr. G.P.N. Glencross; Mr. S.G. Hartnell, Plymouth, Devonport, and South-Western Junction Railway; Mr. J.A. Eliott, Mayor of Liskeard, who also represented Liskeard British Legion; Dr. Grenfell, Mayor of Saltash; Mr. C.E. Underhill, chairman Callington Urban Counil, Mr. J. Spear, chairman St. Germans Rural Council; Mr. W.C. White (chairman) and Mr. A. Granger, representing Torpoint Urban Council; Com. H. Littleton, Com. Willan, Col., Mrs., and Miss Gill, Mr. G.T. Peterick, Mr. Loveridge (Plymouth British Legion), Prebendary and Mrs. T.H. Wood (Lanhydrock), Revs. W.N.P. Beche (Whitchurch), W.R. Blenkinsop (Sunderland) and F. Trelawny (Coldrenick).
The service was also attended by Mrs. Charles Lygon Cocks, Miss Honoria Cocks and Mrs. Wilfrid Rolt (Treverbynvean), Mrs. Frank Trelawny (Coldrenick), Mrs. Evelyn Rashleigh (Stokedon), Miss Rhoda A. May (Torpoint), Mrs. and Miss Boucher, Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Drew (Bridestowe), Mr. and Mrs. F. Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Symons (Hatt), Mrs. H. Blewitt, Mr. and Mrs. E. Body and Miss Body, Mrs. W.G. Billinghurst, Miss Parnell, Major W. Boyd, Capt. Tresawne, Engr.-Lieut. F.J. Jago, Lieut. J.J. Webber, Mrs. and Misses (2) Webber, Drs. A.B. Soltau, R.P.C. Thomas, G.R. Harman (St. Germans), S.G. Vinter (Torpoint), and Messrs. T. Collins (Newton Ferrers), W.T. Jinkin (Plymouth), H. Hamilton, P. Williams, H.F.B. Davey, W. Kivell, M. Downing, T. Vosper, A. Bersey, A.E. Bersey, W. Bersey, J.H. Burrow, B.S. govett, H. Harris, C. Walkey, J. Broad, G. Cole, J.A. Tiltman, A.B. Wilvon, B. Broad, W.S. Broad, E. Herring, W. Crabb, W. Parker, W. Goodman, W.B. Snell, E. Vosper, H.R. Reed, J. Petherick, F. Snell, J. Philp, W. Gerry, F.T. Francis (Egloskerry), A.A. Partridge (Plympton), H. Broad (Deviock), W. Bennett, T. Henwood, S. Carpenter, A. Bowles, S.F. Snell, K. O'Doherty, A.E. Heller, S.W. Batten, W. Peel, A.H. Remayne, R. Haddy, A. Kinsman (Saltash), C.F. Widdicombe, N.V. Dymond, W. Sowden, R. Crossman, J. Libby, J. Pound, A. Higman, G. Stephens, H. Hoskin, P. Williams (Scorrier), J. Ford (St. Neot), W.G. Billinghurst, R.G. Billinghurst, J. Friend, J. Kouch, A.W. Parker, C.O. Steed, L.C. Steed, and R.O. Steed (Landrake), W. Wilton, H. Higman, F. Higman, F.S. Cannon, W.P. Rich (Polbathic), A. Stephens, H. Pearce, A. Tucker, A. Hicks, E.H. Richards, G. Bray, E.G. Moon, T.A. Harris, W. Hawke, jun., E.J. Deeble, A.T. Richards, D.C. Richards, A.F. Richards, J. Couling, G.O. Serjeant, P.M. Hambly, and W.H. Horndon (Callington), T.E. Kittow, S. Blake, F.J. Keat, C.R. Bolitho, E. Dodge, M. Barraball, H. Bean, A. Toms, F. Mitchell (Downderry), J. Foot, T.W. Bersey, E. Batten, T. Cole, F.W. Mitchell, A. Edwards, A. Prior, T. Hicks (Liskeard), T.J. Pearse, J.B. Panter (Landrake), A. Refree, W. Bickford, A.E. Peters, R.A. Peter (Looe), C. Stanton (Cargreen), L. Body, C.S. Carpenter, F. Golding (Callington), T.E. Bennett (Gunnislake), E. Johnston, P.O. Rowe, H. James, J.H. Dawe (Liskeard), N. Broad, F.M. Sobey, jun., Brocking Trant, L. Foster, M. Morcom, H.H. Williams, S. Matthews, H. Body (Liskeard), C. Roskelly (Liskeard), J.J. Tucker, E. Pollared (St. Cleer), B. Couch, J.H. Blamey (Liskeard), E. Banbury, W.J. Maddever, W. Williams, H.H. Stephens, B Easterbrook, L.H. Hancock, T.B. Holman, H.R. Lucas, R. Dingle, S. Higman, S. Langford, J.A. Furzman, F.G. Bowlas, T. Penwell, C.O. Higgs (stationmaster), C. Hill.
The bearers were Messrs. W.H. Brenton, W.J. Creber, H. Maynard, R. Oliver, W. Paige, H. Polgreen, G. Salter, C.G. Tucker, N. Bartlett, W. Botterell, R. Carno, jun., W. Kendall, T. Moyse, R. Musto, G. Scantlebury, R. Trevethan, J. Bennett, J. Bolson, J. Colwill, E. Goodman, J. Hawke, C. Hookway, R. Snell, and W.H. Stephens.
In addition to the Bishop of Truro, Canon Westmacott, Chancellor Ponsonby, and the vicar of St. Germans, other clergy taking part in the funeral procession were Revs. B. Lycett (Sheviock), who acted as Bishop's chaplain; F.T. Wintle (St. Mellion), rural dean, who represented the Archdeacon of Bodmin; W.G.H. Ward (Hessenford), W. Southerus (Downderry), G.M. May (Torpoint), E.S. Leverton (Menheniot), Foster Morris (Callington), and H.R. Hindley (resident Wesleyan minister at St. Germans). Mr. W.G. Broad was in charge of the choir, Miss D. Goard being the organist. Arrangements for the funeral were made by Mr. G.H. Brenton, the estate agent.
FLORAL TRIBUTES.
Wreaths were sent by the Countess of St. Germans; the Dowager Countess of St. Germans; the Duke of Beaufort; Duchess of Beaufort; Julia Dartrey; Edith Windham and Mary Crichton; Zoe and Myrtle; Farquarson; Daisy, Tom, George, and Fred; Rosie; Sybil and Eddie; Bertha; Blanche Eaton and Laura Eliot; Mr. and Mrs. Edward Eliot; Nelly Eliot; Mrs. Basset; Mr. George Graves; Captain Annesley; Elizabeth and Nicholas; Chris; Bevill and Dorothy Fortescue; Hamilton; Evelyn; Lord and Lady Vivian; the Earl of Leven and Melville; Lady Wharton; Lady Raglan, Miss Somerset, and Miss Ivy Somerset; Sir Arthur Vivian; Lady Albertha Lopes; Colonel and Mrs. Brinton; the officers of the Royal Scots Greys; Major Eric Bonham and the officers of C Squadron, Royal Scots Greys, who served with him in France; from his brothers officers in "The Greys"' the members of York branch Royal Scots Greys' Association; officers of the Depot of the D.C.L.I., Bodmin; Major and Mrs. A Victor Agar-Robartes; Lieut.-Colonel and Mrs. Malcolm Borwick, York; Major and Lady Agnes Poynter; household staff at Port Eliot; tenants of Port Eliot Estate; employees of the Port Eliot Estate; household servants at Badminton; from all at Downderry; the Dowager Countess's household; the East Cornwall Hunt; the North Cornwall Hunt; Cornwall County Cricket Club; St. Germans Football Club; Royal Albert Hospital Committee; Lodge Eliot; Plymouth branch of the British Legion; Tideford branch of the British Legion; Capt. and Mrs. Coryton; Mrs. Charles Lygon Cocks, Miss Honoria Somers-Cocks, and Mrs. W. Rolt; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon H. Brenton; Mr. George Harman; Miss Tremayne and Miss Maude Tremayne; Mr. Gerald C.F. Robinson; Mr. and Mrs. Bennett; Mr. T. Robins Bolitho; Lieut. Harry Hamilton, R.N.; Capt. and Mrs. W.S. Cornwallis; William and Evelyn Harman; Lieut.-Col., Mrs., and Miss Gill; Brig.-Gen. and the Misses Tatham; Lieut.-Col. and Mrs. W.P. Drury; Mrs. Ralph Sneyd; I.W. and E.P. Gill and Violet; and Mrs. W.R. Harman.
Lord Seaten and Mr. and Mrs. Boger were unable to be present.
MEMORIAL SERVICE AT BADMINTON.
The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Badminton, Goucestershire, was filled for the memorial service yesterday morning. Deeply impressive proceedings included Psalm xxiii., and the hymns "How bright these glorious spirits shine" and "For all the saints," concluding with Chopin's Funeral March and the Nunc Dimittis. The Rev. F.C. Timmins, rector of Weston Birt, officiated, and Lieut.-Colonel J.C. Brinton read the lesson from Wisdom III.
Those present included the Duke of Beaufort, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Harford, Miss Harford, Mrs. Hugh Harford, Miss Curzon, the Hon. Mrs. Cyril Ward and Miss Ward, Sir Audley and Lady Neald, Field-Marshal Lord Methuen, Major and Lady Agnes Poynter, Lieut.-Colonel J.C. Brinton, Colonel E. Brassey, Colonel the Hon. Algernon and Lady Mary Stanley, Lady Holford, Captain and Lady Margaret Spicer, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lord, Captain and Mrs. Stirling Stewart, Captain and Mrs. Kingscote, Colonel and Mrs. Morrison-Bell, Mr. Malcolm Thompson, Colonel S.T. Thankey, Major the Hon. & Mrs. Johnson Ferguson, Colonel and Mrs. St. Maure, Captain Poore, Mrs. Henry, Colonel and Mrs. Lowsley Williams, Dr. Mellish, and Mr. H.W. Neil.
At Pillaton, where the late Earl often hunted, the flag was hoisted at half-mast on the church tower, and mastheaded after the service. The rector was unavoidably prevented from attending the funeral.
Muffled peals were rung on the bells of the parish church at Menheniot in memory of the late Earl.
