11th March 1927 - Death and Funeral of Mr F. Cowtan Furness

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Death and Funeral of Mr F. Cowtan Furness

We sincerely regret to record the death of Mr F.C. Furness, who was well and popularly known in the town. He was taken ill with influenza about a fortnight ago, and died from cerebral haemorrhage on Friday last.

Mr Furness, who was 66 years of age, was born in Holborn, his parents owning a large confectioner's business on the site of the new West Central Post Office. He spent many years in Cornwall, and came to live at Buntingford about three years ago. During the war he served in the Irish Fusiliers. His cheery face and happy disposition will be greatly missed by a large number of friends.

He was buried at Layston Church on Wednesday afternoon, amidst general signs of regret. There was a large number of floral tributes, including a wreath from the Buntingford British Legion Club, of which the deceased was a member.

The immediate mourners were:

Mr R.G. Furness, Amersham (brother), Mr H.G. Bustard, Forest Gate (nephew), Mrs Davies, Miss Davies, Mr T. Wilson, Kennington; Mr F. French, Chelmsford; Mr Reed, Hertford; and Mr J. Horner, Ware.

Among others present were Revd. John Cole; Mr H. Clarke and Mr E.C. Clarke (representing the British Legion), Messrs G. Smith, E.P. Borsberry, A. Wilson, S. Saggers, H.A. Thody, S. Waters, E. Southgate, M. Corp, Mr and Mrs J. Wilson and Mrs Houlden.

Wreaths were as follows:

From Miss Davies

Mrs Davies and Girls

Mr Furness, Mrs Bustard & Family

Ex-Service Men's Club

Mr and Mrs French

Mrs Hone, Albe and Ede

Wilder and Patsy

Will, Gert and his Godchild Ronald

Ina and Billy

Mr and Mrs C. Clark

Mr and Mrs G.B. Medland

Mr and Mrs Wilson, sen.

Mr and Mrs Wilson, jun.

Mr and Mrs Corp

Messrs Houlden

Mr and Mrs H. Handy

Mr and Mrs Plumb

Mr M. Reid

Mr and Mrs Pledger

Mrs C. Rand and Mrs Parker

Doris and Stan

Tony

"Pip"

8th April 1927 - British Legion Annual General Meeting

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British Legion

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Buntingford Branch of the British Legion was held at the Club Room on Thursday evening of last week. The chair was taken by the President (Captain H.H. Williams), who was supported by the Chairman of the branch (Mr G. Scarborough Taylor), Mr G.H. Maughan, and the hon. secretary and treasurer (Mr E.C. Clarke).

Mr H. Clarke was elected Chairman pro tem.

Mr F.W. Butler moved the re-election of Capt. H.H. Williams as President of the branch. They all knew the keen interest their President took in all matters related to Ex-service men. (Applause).

This was seconded by Mr H. Clarke and carried with acclamation.

Capt. Williams then took the chair. He said that although the branch may not have seemed to have done much during the past year it had carried out the work it had been asked to, and he hoped they would go on. As far as he (the Chairman) was concerned, he would do his best for the Ex-service men and for the Legion. (Applause).

The Chairman moved the re-election of Mr Scarborough Taylor as Chairman and Mr E.E. Dennis as Vice-Chairman.

Mr E.C. Clarke was re-elected secretary with Mr F.W. Butler as treasurer. The Committee was re-elected en bloc, with the addition of Mr A. Coxall. The Committee was also appointed to act as the Unity Relief Committee.

Mr E.C. Clarke presented his annual report. during the year five new members were admitted, bringing the total to 42. Business loans had been granted to two members, and several Ex-service men had received assistance from the Relief Fund, the total amount distributed being £24 7s. 2d.

The balance sheet showed total receipts £13 12. 5d. and expenditure £5 19s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of £7 12s. 11. The Poppy Day receipts were reported as being £102 13s. 10d., which was considered very satisfactory.

Mr Scaborough Taylor, who said the accounts were in a very satisfactory condition, moved their adoption.

This was unanimously carried.

The Chairman said he regretted that out of 19 who received assistance from the Relief Fund only three were members; he hoped that all Ex-service men would realise that the membership was only 2 and a half pence per month. It was rather disappointing to find that men did not join the Legion after being helped.

The secretary stated that nominations were required for one member to attend the Whitsuntide Conference in London, and the name of the President was submitted.

Mr Scarborough Taylor brought up the question of games fixtures with neighbouring branches, and it was decided to challenge Barkway to a shooting match.

A sincere vote of thanks to the Secretary (Mr E.C. Clarke) for the able manner in which he had managed the branch during the year concluded the meeting.

16th November 1923 - Armistice Day

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Buntingford

Armistice Day

Armistice day at Buntingford was celebrated in a very solemn manner.

At 10.30 a.m. a procession was formed in Church Street. The procession comprised the Town Band, under Bandmaster E.Smith; strong muster of Ex-Service men, under the command of Captain G. Scaborough Taylor; the Buntingford troop of Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster C. Miles; Girl Guides, in charge of Miss N. Ashford; and a section of Special Constables.

The procession marched to the town War Memorial, where the Ex-Service men and other bodies took up their allotted positions. The Rev. A. Howard, the Rev. Byers-Jones, Mr F.J. Cole, and the Buntingford Corps of the Salvation Army joined the parade at the War Memorial.

A large number of townspeople took part in the memorial service, which opened with the hymn "O God, our help in ages past."

The following a stirring address by the Rev. A. Howard, who said: "We are assembled here this morning around our War Memorial, first to thank God for victory and peace, and to remember the truth of the words on the Memorial on the wall of St Peter's, "Theirs is the Victory." Then we must remember and be thankful for the splendid courage of the men who laid down their lives for their King and Country, their home, and we hope also, their God.

We need to pray that we may show our gratitude by leading fearless, selfless, Christ-like lives. That those still sorrowingg over the empty place, or places, in the home may be comforted by the "Father of mercies, and God of all comfort." We will pray, too, specially for the Ex-Service men and others still suffering in various and grievous ways from the effects of the unspeaklably awful war."

He concluded with the striking words of General Smuts: "We semm once more to be hanging [?] into a dark night, and the outcome of the new adventure is hid from everyone but God. Yet I have a conviction that out of all this evil, good will come. The great moral causes of humanity were born not in victory but in defeat, and they are all being defeated today."

The Church paper from which called comments as follows: "What braver text could there be on which to found an appeal for the re-dedication of our country to the will and purpose of God in faith, that his kingdom will come."

After the address, Captain G. Scarborough Taylor read out the names of the glorious dead, whose names are perpetuated on the War Memorial. At stroke of 11 a.m. the Ex-Service men, Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides were called to attention, and the two minutes' silence observed.

After the hymn "Fight the good fight" had been sung, prayers were said by Mr F.J. Cole, the new minister at the Congregational Church.

A large number of beautiful wreathes were laid at the base of the Memorial. The Ex-Service men's wreath consisted of laurel leaves and Flanders poppies, tied with the national colours. Other wreathes were from the members of the Congregational Church, the Buntingford troop of Boy Scouts, the Girl Guides, the Senior School and the Special Constables.

After saluting at the foot of the memorial, the parade marched up to the Market Hill. The band played the National Anthem, after which the parade dismissed. Many persons attended the Special services which were held at St Peter's, and at the Congregational Church, immediately after the ceremony.

The Boy Scouts Shrine, which throughout the year has tributes of flowers, due to the kind attention of Miss Lushington, was specially decoated with evergreen and Flanders poppies.

A special Memorial Service was held at the Congregational Church during the evening. There was a croweded congregation, and the Buntingford Town Band accompanied the hymns. 

The new minister, the Rev. F.J. Cole preached an inspiring sermon. He took for his text "Oh, for a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate." The collection at the evening service amounted to £3 4s., which was devoted to Church funds, and the British Legion Local Relief Fund.

16th November 1923 - Poppy Day

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Poppy Day

Saturday last was "Poppy Day" and the workers are to be congratulated on the success attained.

Monday's Collection and Sale

On Monday, workers were still busy, this time the town collection was on behalf of the British Legion Local Relief Fund.

Quite early the collection of yards of pennies began, and Mr Butler, Miss Ward, Mrs H.C. Marshall, Mrs Robinson, Mr G.H. Maughan, Mrs H.H. Williams, Miss Lushington, Miss Porter, the Misses Rand, and other helpers consolidated their position in the narrow High Street.

Their appeal, and the liberal way in which passers by gave their support, is shown by the fact that the pennies reached 65 yards (£8 3s. 2d.) on the east side (in charge of Miss Ward), and 44 yards (£5 10s. 5d.) on the west side (in charge of Mr F.W. Butler).

At 12.30, Captain G. Scarborough Taylor conducted a sale of miscellaneous gifts on the Mkarket Hill, which produced £11 for the fund.