Parish of Marnhull

Obituary of Mr John Warren (d. 1934)

The following is a transcript made by me (Bob Hills) from a cutting of the obituary that appeared in The Western Gazette dated Friday September 28 1934.
Thanks to Stephen Harding (a grandson of W. L. Harding who wrote the "An Appreciation ….. ") for the cutting and the image of John Warren.


Mr. John Warren

FUNERAL OF MR. JOHN WARREN
POULTRY EXPERT AND POPULAR PUBLIC MAN


Nearly every family in the parish of Marnhull was represented at the funeral on Saturday of Mr. John Warren, of Cross Tree Farm, Marnhull, whose sudden and tragic death was recorded last week. The late Mr. Warren was one of the most popular and public spirited men in the parish. For many years he was chairman of the Marnhull Parish Council, and it was primarily through his influence that the village have a recreational ground, pavilion and other amenities. For 15 years he had been on the Executive Committee of the Sturminster Newton and District Farmers, Ltd., and he was the first chairman of the Sturminster Newton branch of the National Farmers' Union. As its secretary and treasurer, he was one of the prime movers in connection with the Marnhull Flower Show.

He enjoyed a practically world-wide reputation as a poultry breeder and expert, and had acted as judge of the Orpington Classes at the Crystal Palace International Poultry Show. He was keenly interested in all forms of sport in the village, having been a member of the Football Club and Bowling Club. He was also a prominent member of the Marnhull Yearly Benefit Society.

The funeral was conducted by Canon E. W. N. Hellins, rector of Marnhull, who travelled all night from North Wales in order to take the service. The service was fully choral, the choir being in attendance, and the hymns sung were :- " Just as I am" and " Abide with me," and the Psalm " The Lord is my Shepherd." Mrs, Drew was at the organ.

The family mourners were :- Mrs. J. Warren (widow), Mr. Stephen Warren (brother), Mr. and Mrs. Hayward (brother-in-law and sister), Messrs. John Warren (Macclesfield), S. and H. Longman (Southampton), Misses E. and M. Harding, Mr. and Mrs. Harding (London), Mr. and Mrs. H Hunt (Bournemouth) (nephews and nieces), Messrs. R. and C. Harding (London), Mr. W. G. Johnson (brother-in-law), Mrs. S Horder (sister-in-law), Mr. F. Johnson (nephew), Mr. and Mrs. Ship (Bournemouth), Mr. D. Ship and Mr. R. Cooper-Reade (cousins).

Among those also present were :- Colonel W. B. Dauntesey, Major Denison-Pender, Captain Paget, Mr. W.C. Harold, Mrs. Brocklebank, Mr. R. Percy Wilson, Colonel Campbell Johnston, Colonel F. Adams, Mr. Ernest Lloyd (Sturminster Newton Farmers), Mr. Stride (Sturminster Newton), Mr. Littlewood (Bristol), Mr. Moon (Radstock), Mr. G. E. Prideaux (Stalbridge), Mr. Arthur Hiscock (Child Okeford), Mr. Arthur Tucker (Gillingham), Mrs. and Miss Robertson, Messrs. J. Sharp, E. G. Wilkins, V. Rose, T. Hatcher, E. Drew, F. Bastable, S. Rossiter, S. W. Bowles and W. Drew (members of the Marnhull Parish Council), Mr. Hedley Wills (clerk to the Parish Council), Mr. Frank Rose, Mr. J. Bugg, Mr W. Jenkins (Parkstone), Mr. G. Page, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Trim, Mr. J. Bastable, Mr D. Hopkins, Mr. L. S. Howell, Mr. Arthur Bastable, Mr. Edgar Jeans, Mr. John Hinks, and others, including representatives of all the bodies to which the deceased belonged.

The bearers were :- Messrs. A. Drew, H. Maidment, H. Drew, and H. Collis employees of the deceased. The large number of beautiful floral tributes included wreaths from the Marnhull Parish Council, the Marnhull Football Club, the Marnhull Bowling Club, the Marnhull Yearly Benefit Society, the Marnhull school children, school staff, Sturminster Newton and District Farmers, employees, &c. Mrs. Warren wishes to express to the large circle of friends far and near, her grateful appreciation of the sympathy and kindness shown to her in her tragic sorw, and her thanks for all the beautiful floral tributes showered upon her dear one.


AN APPRECIATION BY AN "OLD PARISHIONER"

John Warren, Marnhull, was a man beloved by parishioners, rich and poor alike. I knew him well. Quite recently I stayed with him at his farm, and have many pleasant recollections of what, to me, will be a memorable occasion. In the cool of the evening, walking in the fields amongst the cattle and talking together, I was impressed by the texture of his character, the quality of his mind, and his sincere desire to do everything in his power for his beloved village, made him one of the great men of my acquaintance. He seemed in no way overwhelmed with that sense of the futility of his work which some public men experience. Although he was 71, his capacity for adjusting himself generally to any circumstances was in no way diminished. Above all things he was in the truest and best sense of the word a great Englishman, a man whose standards of honour and truth and duty were planted high and were never abandoned. I can dimly perceive the vision of his inheritance. - W.LI.H.
 

National Probate Calendar entry (1934):
WARREN John of Cross Tree Farm Marnhull Dorsetshire died 18 September 1934 Probate Blanford 21 November to Elizabeth Warren widow. Effects £6046 6s. 1d.

 

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