This impressive monument suggests to me it was originally meant to mark the final resting place of an entire family, but there is only one person buried here, Thomas William Harry.

Among some fine examples of Victorian funeral iconography there is the urn symbolising immortality, heavily draped signifying mourning.  Books are a reference to scholarly habits and religious faith.  There is a book beneath the urn and one opened on the first verse of a hymn – Hiding in Thee.

It reads:

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I

My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly

So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine would I be,

Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee.

Written by William Orcutt Cushing with music by Ira David Sankey.

This is the last resting place of Thomas William Harry, born in Swindon in 1863 the eldest child of William and Mary Harry.  This young couple were among the advance guard that moved from South Wales when the new Rolling Mill opened at the Works.

It is likely their first home was in the Barracks, the unpopular lodging house in the railway village that became a Wesley chapel, then the Railway Museum and then a youth project called The Platform.

By 1871 the Harry family were living at 7 Cambria Place, a two up two down terraced house in to which they managed to squeeze William, Mary and their five sons, Mary’s mother, two nephews (both employed at the Works) and two nieces.

William and Mary eventually returned to Wales to run a pub in Jenkins Town near Swansea.  They took their four younger children with them but the four elder boys stayed in Swindon and lived at 12 Clifton Street.  Head of the household was young Thomas, aged 18 and an apprentice fitter at the Works.

Thomas eventually left the works to set up in business as a grocer in a shop on Park Lane.  He married in 1890 and in 1895 his son Cyril Arthur was born.  Sadly, Thomas died before the little boy was two years old.

Thomas’ brother Henry known as Harry (making him Harry Harry) took over not only Thomas’s business interests but in 1909 married his widow as well. 

Funeral of Mr T.W. Harry. – The funeral of Mr T.W. Harry, whose death was recorded in our last weekly issue, took place on Saturday afternoon at the Swindon Cemetery. The mournful cortege left deceased’s late residence, Bath Road, Old Swindon, at 2.15, the mourners being Mr H. Harry, Mr W. Harry, Mr C. Harry, and Mr A. Harry (brothers), Mr D. Harry and Mr Evan Harry (uncles), Mr F. Williams, Mr J. Williams, and Capt J.G. Morris (brothers-in-law), Mr A.W. Burson (partner), Mr G. Howells, etc. Upwards of 60 members of the Swindon Trader’s Association were present, including the president (Mr W.G. Little) and the secretary (Mr J.S. Protheroe), and representatives also attended of the deacons, the Sunday School, and the Christian Endeavor Society in connection with the Baptist Tabernacle, where deceased was a prominent member.

The bearers and representatives of the firm (Messrs Freeth & Son) included Mr Frank Burson, Mr Woolfrey, Mr Sutton, Mr Banwell, Mr Carver, Mr Hancock, Mr Strong, Mr Galpin, and others. A short service was held at the Tabernacle previous to the internment, the Rev F. Pugh (pastor) officiating. In addressing the large congregation Mr Pugh referred to his having baptised deceased as a member of the Church, and touched upon Mr Harry’s earnest and self-sacrificing labors on behalf of movements associated with the Tabernacle. He also paid a feeling tribute to deceased’s personal character and worth. Mr. Pugh conducted the service at the grave-side, which was witnessed by a large number. The coffin was of polished and panelled Canadian elm, with plain brass furniture, the brass plate being inscribed: “Thomas William Harry, died Feb. 2. 1897, aged 34 years.” Numerous floral offerings were received …

The funeral arrangements were efficiently carried out by Mr A.J. Gilbert, of Swindon. At the morning service at the Tabernacle on Sunday the pastor preached an impressive sermon on “The Passing of Jordan” from Joshua iii, 17, and made special reference to the circumstances of Mr Harry’s life and death. During the service deceased’s favourite hymns, “Hiding in Thee,” and “He fell asleep” were sung.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, February 12, 1897.

Read more about the Harry family on the excellent http://www.swindonbottles.co.uk/harry.html