Wiltshire, Lydia Martha (1892-1914)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

THE subject of this sketch lived near to Whitchurch (Hants) all her life. She died a few months ago at the early age of twenty-two, after a very painful illness in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham.

From early childhood she was a member of the Sunday school, and in due course became attached to the Church in membership, being greatly respected and loved, especially for her kindly disposition, and her regularity, punctuality, and devotion in all her services.

She was a Sunday school teacher for three years; a Christian Endeavourer for five years; organist in the Sunday school three years; organist in the C.E. Society four years; organist in the church six years; and also a good missionary collector for seven years.

In the spring of 1914, her health began to fail and she was reluctantly compelled to drop her various offices one after another until she absolutely tore herself away from the last one, to which she was passionately devoted – the pipe organ of the church – to go to Southend, and thence to hospital in London, whence her remains were brought home to be buried, amid circumstances of much sadness.

The chapel was crowded for the funeral and was a most touching experience, there being scarcely a dry eye in the whole of the congregation, while the crowd at the cemetery was remarkable, the people generally seeming to feel the tragedy and pathos of the premature close of so young and promising a life.

Her parents and family are devoted to our Church, and have given long and faithful service thereto. “They have the joy of knowing that their loved one did much and did it well.’’

J.W.

Family and other information

Lydia was born in 1892 at Laverstoke, Nr Whitchurch, Hampshire, to parents Charles and Rose. Charles was a paper maker.

Lydia was working as a dressmaker at the time of the 1911 census.

Lydia’s death was registered in the fourth quarter of 1914.

References

Christian Messenger 1915/312

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

 

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