The re-imagined story …
I remember wondering why Dr Swinhoe had a sword on the top of his coffin. I kept pulling on my mother’s coat and asking – ma, ma until in exasperation she hissed at me ‘because he served in the Crimea War.’
Well, of course, I was none the wiser.
It was only years later that I learned about that bloody war where some 500,000 lost their lives due to the incompetence of commanding officers and the appalling conditions in the hospital in the converted barracks at Scutari. This was the war in which Florence Nightingale transformed nursing practices in the battlefield hospitals and back home here in England.
The Crimea War was the greatest military horror in a generation, that is until millions were sent to their death in the Great War.
Dr Swinhoe served as a medical officer in the Crimea War and I served as one in the Second World War. I didn’t get a sword though, shame about that!
The facts …
Impressive Funeral Ceremony
Marked Expression of Public Esteem and Sympathy
The large crowds of people which followed the remains of the late Mr G.M. Swinhoe to their last resting place in the Swindon Cemetery on Saturday afternoon bore eloquent testimony to the very high and general esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held by all classes, for in these crowds were to be seen those of the very poorest circumstances mingling with those occupying important positions in connection with the public life of the town. It was a raw cold afternoon, and yet this did not deter these people from turning out in their hundreds to pay a last tribute of respect to the dead – to the memory of one who in his life time had been to so very many “a guide, philosopher, and friend.”
The solemn cortege was timed to leave the deceased gentleman’s late residence, Park House, Church Place, at two o’clock, but some time before this hour arrived, a very large number of people took up their position at a respectful distance from the house and patiently awaited the appearance of the coffin, which punctually at two o’clock, was borne out of the house. It was entirely covered with the Union Jack, and upon it, resting among a wealth of lovely flowers, was to be seen the trusty sword which the dead Crimean veteran carried with him during that eventful period in English history when he was attached to the medical staff. Within an area of but a few yards four Union Jacks could be observed flying at half mast – that at the GWR Medical Fund Hospital; that at the GWR Mechanics’ Institution; that at the Swimming Baths, and that in the Park over which Park House commands such an extensive view.
A minute or two after the hour had struck, the solemn procession moved slowly towards St Mark’s Church, where Mr Swinhoe was a regular worshipper, and where he for many years discharged the duties of Churchwarden. At the entrance to the Church the crowd was even greater than at Park House. Everyone wanted to gain admission to the sacred building, but accommodation was limited, and the police, of whom there were many on duty, firmly but gently had to stem the tide of those who sought to be present at the service. As it was, the Church was full almost to suffocation, but at no time was there any unseemly rushing, so well was the crowd controlled.
The service, conducted by the Rev. A.G.G. Ross MA Vicar of St Mark’s was of a most quiet and impressive character. As the coffin was borne into the Church, followed by the mourners, “Rock of ages” was sung as the processional hymn. Then the 90th Psalm, “Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all generations,” was chanted, the full Choir being present, after which Canon Ponsonby, formerly Vicar, read the Lesson from I. Cor., 15th chapter, from 20th verse. “But now is Christ risen from the dead.” The hymn, “Peace, perfect peace,” was then sung, after which, while the congregation stood, and as the funeral procession moved out of the Church, Mr E. Miles, the organist, played the “Dead March” in Saul.
All along the route to the Cemetery hundreds of people followed, and pedestrians going about their ordinary business stood and uncovered as the procession passed. At the Cemetery between three hundred and four hundred people had assembled. The grave, the same in which the remains of Mrs Swinhoe were interred some fourteen years ago, not far from the Cemetery Chapel, was within a roped enclosure outside which the people were kept back by the police, under the Deputy Chief Constable (Supt. Robinson) and Inspector Moore. The police, however, had not the slightest difficulty in controlling the crowd, no attempt being made to in any way break through the barrier. As the funeral procession approached the grave the 130th Psalm, “Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord,” was chanted. At the graveside the Rev. A.G.G. Ross performed the last portion of the solemn rite; then the hymn, “Now the labourer’s task is o’er,” was sung, and the impressive ceremony concluded.
The following members of the Committee of the GWR Medical fund Society acted as bearers: Messrs H. Morris (Chairman), William Humphries, W. Sansum, A Watson, B. Wheel, and Z. Peskett.
The grave is a brick one, and had been very beautifully lined with moss, snowdrops, violets primroses, crocuses, and auriculas. The remains were enclosed in an unpolished oak coffin, with a brass Latin cross down the full length of the lid, and at the foot was a brass plate bearing the following inscription: George Money Swinhoe, Died Feb 27th, 1908, Aged 77 years.
List of mourners and floral tributes …
Many of the officials connected with the Medical Fund Society carried wreaths.
In the procession of vehicles, it should be added, was to be noticed the deceased gentleman’s carriage in which he covered so many of his no doubt fatiguing rounds.
Extracts from the Swindon Advertiser, Friday March 6, 1908.
George Money Swinhoe 77 years of Park House was buried on February 29, 1908 in a large grave plot numbered E8228/29/30 which he shares with his wife and four sons.
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