Tuesday 22nd October 2024  

The Late Canon H Rumsey, MA

Loughborough Echo - 31st May 1940

Thirty-one years vicar of Quorn - Children to bring wild flowers to funeral

We regret to record the death of Canon Henry Rumsey MA., vicar of Quorn, which occurred at the Vicarage on Friday last, after a short illness.

For 31 years, Canon Rumsey had been Vicar of Quorn and was beloved by his parishioners. He had been a true guide and mentor to many in the village and his wide sympathy, genial tolerance and Christian character made him a welcome visitor in homes of all classes of people. He was as welcome in the kitchen on wash-day as for a cup of tea during the more leisured hour. The parents honoured him, for had he not in many cases, married them, baptised their children and helped them with prayer and ready advice in time of need. He loved children and the children loved him. On the morning of his funeral they went out and gathered bluebells, buttercups, ladysmocks and other flowers of the fields and brought them to the church, for they knew he would be proud of this little act of homage.

When he had been for 25 years in Quorn, Canon Rumsey wrote in an article for the Loughborough Echo, in which he said: "To stay put in Quorn has not been hard. Happiness, parochial and domestic, has come my way among friends, whose help and kindly judgment have never failed".

A striking tribute was paid to him at the funeral service on Monday, when Quorn Church was packed to overflowing by all classes of people. There was regret at the passing of a good man, but there was a deep gratitude for the loving work he had done during the many years he had been in Quorn.

The following tribute is taken from the Deanery Magazine, Quorn section:- "For 30 years Henry Hunn Rumsey has faithfully and diligently cared for the spiritual needs of his parish. He was a wise counsellor, a sincere parish priest and a faithful servant of God. Loved by all, he never spared himself in any task he set his hand to do, but courageously carried it through to its ultimate end. He had the gift of being able to make the most of the occasion and putting into the most stirring words the thoughts of the time. Our parish and, indeed, the diocese are the poorer for his passing. Little did we realise at Evensong on Whit-Sunday that his last sermon had been delivered. He was ordered a complete rest. This rest came as the ending to a life so full of service to the last. The smile of serenity and peace which shone forth from his lifeless body convinced the writer more than ever that his Vicar had found that rest and peace, which can only come by knowing God. May his soul rest in peace".

HIS CAREER
The late Canon Rumsey was born at Herne Hill on November 27th 1876.

He was educated first at a private school at New Maldon, Surrey, and later at Hurstpierpoint, when he became a probationer associate of St Nicholas College. In 1897, he entered, with a bursary, at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and rowed in the College boat. He took a 2nd class in History and proceeded to Ely Theological College, from whence he was ordained deacon, with a title at Kettering, then a single parish. The rector, the Rev "Pat" Smythe had ten assistant curates and Canon Rumsey had as colleagues Canon Robert J Sturdee, formerly of St Peter?s Loughborough, the Rev Averay Jones, present Vicar of Prestwold-cum-Hoton, the present Bishop of Grantham, and others who have since then worked in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.

Mr Rumsey was presented by Bishop Carr-Glynn to the Vicarage of Quorn, where the remainder of his life was spent.

At sunset on Sunday, his body was brought into Quorn Church, and a watch was kept through the night until 7 o?clock on Monday, when a Requiem Eucharist was celebrated by the Rev Stephen Rumsey. Later the children of the National School led by the headmaster and staff, arrived at church laden with meadow flowers. After a short service taken by the Rev Stephen Rumsey, the coffin left the church for Gilroes Crematorium, the children lining the churchyard path as the hearse drove through, the flowers being left in church for decoration in time for the funeral.

The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, following the cremation at Gilroes. The service was taken by the Rev W A King, Vicar of St Mary-in-the-Elms, Woodhouse.

The casket containing the ashes of Canon Rumsey was carried by the Rev Stephen Rumsey, his eldest son, the other principal mourners being Miss Mary Rumsey (daughter), Aircraftsman J B Rumsey, Private P F Rumsey, and Mr P C Rumsey (sons), Mr Murray Rumsey (brother), Miss Mary Rumsey, London (sister), Mr and Mrs Fred Seal (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mrs R Stokes (niece), Mr D Newbold (brother-in-law).

Miss C Callis was at the organ and accompanied the singing of the hymns, "O what the joy and the glory must be" and "Let saints on earth in concert sing".

Six members of the Quorn British Legion formed a guard of honour as the cortege entered the church.

The interment of the casket took place beside the church tower in the grave of Mrs Rumsey, and at the conclusion of the burial service Bishop J J Willis (Assistant Bishop of Leicester) pronounced the Blessing.

Submitted on: 2009-07-01 Submitted by: Kathryn Paterson Artefact ID: 133 Artefact URL: www.quornmuseum.com/display.php?id=133 Print: View artefact in printer-friendly page or just on its own (new browser tab).