Tuesday 16th July 2024  

Death of Mr Philip Wright

15th February 1900 - Loughborough Monitor

Funeral at Leicester

We deeply regret to have to record the death of Mr Philip Wright, which occurred at his residence at Quorn on Friday night, at the age of 56 years.

For some months past the deceased gentleman had suffered from a painful internal malady, which made permanent recovery impossible, and his demise was therefore not unexpected, but much sorrow will nevertheless be expressed at the loss of so useful a public man at a comparatively early age.

Mr Wright was the elder son of the late Mr Michael Wright of Leicester, and member of the well-known firm of M Wright and Sons, elastic web manufacturers first established in Leicester, and subsequently removed to Quorn. Like his father before him, and his brothers, the deceased took an interest in public affairs, on the Radical side in politics. He was in his early days an active Radical worker in what was then West St Mary's Ward, and on going to reside at Quorn he threw himself with enthusiasm into the work of the Liberal Association of the district, and of the Loughborough Division Association.

He was a strenuous advocate of civil and religious equality, of peace, and of land reform, and help these causes by purse and personal effort. Mr Philip Wright was a member of the Board of Guardians for Barrow Union, and so long as he enjoyed good health he took an active part in the business of that authority, earning for himself the respect and esteem of his colleagues, which was expressed in a sympathetic resolution adopted at the last meeting.

The deceased was also a member of the County Council, representing the Sileby division. In the duties of this important body he also evinced an ever active concern being an especially useful member of the Technical Education Committee. His removal from both these bodies will be much felt, and he will also be a missed man in business and other circles. Much sympathy has been expressed with the relatives of the deceased in the bereavement they have sustained.

The remains were interred at Leicester cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends. The funeral cortege left Quorn about midday, and, proceeding to Leicester by road, was joined at Mountsorrel by a deputation from the Barrow Board of Guardians. From the house to the outskirts of the village of Quorn a large number of gentlemen of the district followed the cortege, amongst whom were the Rev Foord-Kelcey (vicar), Rev W J Tomkins, Dr Maloney, Messrs E H Warner, JP., J A C M Hayward; E W Hensman, MA; R Thompson; R Robinson; T North; H H North; W Thornton; J Bolesworth; Tom Firr; W Simpson; Cart, Tom Holmes; G Holmes; Hill, J W Sault; J Ward; J Camm; J Cuffling; T Pepper; W H Fewkes; C Chapman, and others.

The mourners were Messrs James Wright, CC., William Wright and Thomas Wright (brothers), Sidney Wright, Percy Wright, H T Wright, W P Wright, and H Wright (nephews), Mr J H Levy (London), Messrs F Lionnais, W Turner, E C Laundon, and T Shenton.

The Barrow Guardians were represented by Mr J S Smith (chairman), Messrs C Goodacre, CC; Bosworth; Mayes; Wolfe; Garratt; D Winterton, Robins, and Bradshaw, Mr Scott (deputy clerk), and Mr J B Ward (master)

Among others present at the cemetery were Messrs T H Heward CC; J C Bassett, CC; B Hurst CC; W Moss JP CC; R Rowley; G F Stevenson; A Bumpus CC; S A Gimson; T A Wykes; J M Gimson; Josiah Gimson; T Atkins and H Atkins (Hinckley) J Butcher Handford (Loughborough); F J Gould (Secular Society); R Stevens; A Booth; W H Holyoak; W Rowlett, jnr; E Catlow; W H Simpson; W S Bishop (County Council Technical Education Office); R K Hull; Preston; Hall (Melton Divisional Liberal Association); G Sedgewick; G Gibbon etc.

The coffin which was borne to the grave by eight of the foremen from Quorn Mills, was covered by a number of beautiful wreaths. The bearers were Messrs W Coup, F Clarke, W Turner jnr, A Turner, Wisehall, C Mee, Orton, and J Stonehouse.

The ceremony, which was conducted in accordance with Secularist custom, was of the simplest possible character. In the Chapel, Mr J H Levy, of London, delivered a short address, in the course of which he said his recollections of their loved friend were those of a genial, kind-hearted man, who wished to make the best of life, but had not the least intention of doing this at the cost of others, and was quite ready to take his share of the cares, expenses, and obloquy which came of right-doing. The mean ambition of leading an idle and luxurious life had no charm for him. He wished to do his meed of the world's work, and he did it cheerfully and unremittingly. One of the most significant comments on his character was the fact that his loss would be most poignantly felt by the young among his acquaintance, with whose happiness and whose grief he always manifested the most hearty sympathy.

He was no genius; he was a plain business man who wanted to do his duty, and found sufficient stimulus to do it in those emotions of love and pity, and in that sense of truthfulness and justice to which they made their appeal.

The memory of his good qualities would be a source of inspiration to all who knew him, and, through them, to others.

At the Loughborough Liberal Club the flag hung at half-mast from Saturday to Tuesday.

Submitted on: 2009-07-23 Submitted by: Kathryn Paterson Artefact ID: 393 Artefact URL: www.quornmuseum.com/display.php?id=393 Print: View artefact in printer-friendly page or just on its own (new browser tab).