As the UK prepares for the Coronation of King Charles and his wife Camilla on Saturday May 6, how did it all go back in 1911? The Coronation of King George V took place on June 22, 1911 and it all went very well here in Swindon. In fact, the Mayor Tom Butler said as much when he thanked the people of Swindon in the pages of the Swindon Advertiser.
The Mayor’s Thanks
His Worship the Mayor (Mr Ald. Tom Butler) desires to congratulate the inhabitants of Swindon generally on the success with which the arrangements for celebrating the Coronation in Swindon on Thursday last were carried through, and on the enthusiastic yet orderly way in which the inhabitants generally showed their loyalty and so readily assisted in making the day such an enjoyable one to all concerned, and especially to the old folks and the children.
The Mayor also desires to express his high appreciation of the decorations and illuminations, which were so artistically and beautifully carried out in all parts of the own.
In tendering his warmest thanks to all, he would also like to acknowledge the patience and courtesy with which the police carried out their duties during a long and arduous day.
The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, June 30, 1911.
By the time the newspaper was published Mayor Tom Butler’s much loved wife Mary Ann had died.
The Late Mrs T. Butler
Funeral
Impressive Scenes
The sad death of the Mayoress of Swindon has keenly touched the hearts of Swindon inhabitants, and when the funeral took place yesterday there was a demonstration of sympathy and respect almost without parallel in the town. In the streets, in the chapel, and at the graveside thousands testified by their presence and sad demeanor the sorrow they felt at the great calamity which had befallen the Mayor and his family and also the community at large, and representative men and women of all ranks and professions accompanied the remains to their last resting-place.
The first part of the service was held at Faringdon Street Wesleyan Chapel, where the late Mrs Butler had been a worshipper with her husband for many years. The Cortege left Ramsey House, Victoria Road, shortly after 2.30, the streets being thickly lined with spectators. The official representatives, who had previously met at the Town Hall, included Messrs. L.L. Morse, A.W. Deacon, J. Clark, J. Longland, S.B. Cole, W.H. Stanier, C. Hill and A.W. Haynes borough magistrates), Mr T. Free (Mayor of Marlborough), Mr W. Small (Mayor of Chippenham), Mr W.H. Lawson (Deputy Mayor of Swindon), Mr R. Hilton (Town Clerk), Prebendary W.B. Pitt, Messrs W. H. Williams, W.W. Dickson, J. Henderson, J. Spackman, R.W. Menham, G. Brooks, H.D. Piper, F.W. Marillier, A.E. Harding. T. George, J. George, J.G. Cox, W.E. Morse, A. Church, W. Sloan, W.H. Kinneir, A.J. Gilbert, A. Balch, R. Evans, A.H. Wheeler, J. Powell, J.J. Brown, W. Johnson, W.J. Bray and H.J. Gregory (members of the Town Council) cont…
The service in Faringdon Street Wesley Chapel, where from her youth onwards the late Mayoress had been a constant attendant, was of a painfully impressive character. Long before the cortege had reached the entrance, the side aisles had been filled by members of the congregation, the central aisles having been reserved for the mourners and followers.
In his address the Rev W.J. Chant said – ‘They were in the presence of a very great sorrow, a bereavement which was very mysterious, which was beyond them. Their deceased sister seemed to have been taken away at that particular time when she was very necessary; necessary for the home, for the church and for the town. But they could not raise God’s hands, and could only ask Him to help them to trust in their darkness.’
He continued – ‘It was with pleasure and encouragement that they thought of the kindness of the late Mayoress – ever happy when she was thinking of other people, trying to help them. The Lord of kindness was in her heart. They thought of her evenness of disposition. She was always the same, no matter when one met her. They also thought of the great love which she had for her home, how the heart of her husband trusted in her and her children rose up and called her blessed. They thought of her specially during the last few months, more than ever before, when she had been called upon to serve the town, counting no effort too great, no sacrifice too much, and her efforts culminated in that wonderful day of rejoicing so recent as Thursday week, when she was one of the most active, faithful, and unselfish and devoted workers in connection with the Coronation festivities.’
The cortege then left for the Cemetery, and as the sombre procession moved down the aisle the organist played Handel’s Dead March in “Saul.” While the body was being carried away practically every eye was tear-dimmed.
On leaving the chapel the procession re-formed and proceeded to the Cemetery, where a considerable space round the grave had been roped off. A dense mass of people witnessed the brief concluding ceremony. Supt. Robinson directed the arrangements. The grave was at the east end of the chapel. The coffin of polished English oak had an elm shell and brass fittings, and the inscription was:-
Mary Ann Butler
Born 14 July, 1862
Died 28 June, 1911
The coffin was borne upon a hand bier and was covered with floral tributes. Five mourning coaches followed, the family mourners being the Mayor (Mr T. Butler) and three sons – Messrs. R.W., T.R. and F.G. Butler – Mr Turner (brother of deceased) and Mr W. Watts (cousin). Amongst others following were Mr and Mrs A.G. While. The final portion of the service was said by the Revs J. Rodwell and W.J. Chant. At the last moment the Mayor, who had borne up bravely, was quite overcome with grief.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, July 7, 1911 (Extracts)
Mary Ann was buried on July 3, 1911 in grave plot A1033. She lies with her two young children, Hilda Mary who died in 1898 aged 6 years and Denis Stanley a 3 month old baby who died in 1899.
Radnor Street Cemetery 
Beautifully written
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