DEATH OF BADSEY PUBLICAN – The late Mr E E Mustoe
Badsey has lost a great friend through the death, in the Evesham Hospital on Friday last, of Mr Ernest E Mustoe, of the Royal Oak Inn, Badsey. The second son of 93-year-old Mr William Mustoe of Church View, Badsey, he was only 57 years of age. Born at Chalford, Gloucestershire, he went to Badsey when 11 years of age, and resided in the village up to the time of his death. He soon became a recognised authority in the market gardening industry, and for some years was well known as a dealer. Twenty-eight years ago he became licensee of the Royal Oak Inn, Badsey, but after being there four years, he moved to The Orchards, Bretforton Road, Badsey, only to return to the Royal Oak Inn 11 years ago. Until his health became impaired, he took an active part in local affairs, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was an enthusiastic member of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, and was keenly interested in the benevolent side of their work, particularly in the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund, to which meetings he was a delegate for several years. Another society in which he took great interest was the Vale of Evesham Asparagus Growers’ Association. In addition to being a founder member of the Association, he was actively associated with its administration as Honorary Treasurer from the time of its inception, then years ago, until last year. He was also one of the founders of the Badsey Rangers FC, and for some years was Honorary Secretary of the Club. From 1922 until 1928 he was a member of the Badsey Parish Council, while he was also a Vice-President of the Badsey Cricket Club, a member of the Cirencester Benefit Society, a member of the Badsey Recreation Ground Committee. He was also keenly interested in the Badsey Flower Show. He is survived by his father, his widow, two sons and six daughters.
The Funeral
The funeral took place at St James’ Church on Monday afternoon, the service in the Parish Church being conducted by the Vicar (Canon Allsebrook), assisted by the Rev Harcourt B S Fowler. The service was fully choral, the choir meeting the cortege at the gate and chanting Psalm 39 from there into the church. The hymns, “Through the night of doubt and sorrow” and “Our Blest Redeemer” were sung in church, and “Abide with me” at the graveside, while at the conclusion of the church service the Dead March in “Saul” was played on the organ by Mr Leslie Sharp. At the graveside Brother the Rev Harcourt B S Fowler read the Buffalo funeral service, the brethren of the Order forming a broken link; and at the conclusion each of the members deposited the Order’s emblem, a sprig of ivy, on the coffin. The high respect and regard for Mr Mustoe was shown by the inhabitants of the village, for one noted that almost without exception blinds were drawn at every house throughout the long route from his residence to the church. The family mourners were: Mrs Mustoe (widow), Mr Leslie Mustoe (son, Mrs A Harwood, Mrs C Stewart, Mrs A E Langstone, Miss Margaret Mustoe and Miss Pat Mustoe (daughters), Mrs L Johns (sister), Mrs M C Morris (sister), Mrs W Hayward (sister, Mr Arthur Mustoe (brother), Mr George Mustoe (brother), Mrs A Harwood (sister-in-law), Mr C Stewart (son-in-law), Mrs A E Langstone (sister-in-law), Mrs A Mustoe (sister-in-law), Mr H Stanley (nephew), Mr J Stanley (nephew), Mr G Norris (Worthing, an old friend), and Mr G Crane (who has been an employee for 21 years). There were also numerous friends from Badsey, Bretforton, Stratford-on-Avon, Evesham, Redditch, and other surrounding villages, the church and churchyard being filled. Mr William Mustoe (deceased’s father) was unable to attend, but was represented by his housekeeper, Miss Thomas, who placed his sprig of ivy on the coffin. Mrs A Johns (sister) was also unable to attend owing to illness. Other notable people present included a large and representative gathering of members of the RAOB, numbering nearly 30 members.
These included officers and members of the Prov Grand Lodge, viz: The Prov Grand Primo and Brothers J W V Haskins, KOM, PPGP; W H Pawley, ROH, Prov G Secretary; Geo A King, PPGP; L J Bourne, PPGP; E A Olsson, P Pres Widows and Orphans and Benevolent Fund. The Prov Grand Primo of the Gloucestershire G A (Bro C H Boyton, KOM) was also present.
The Otterburn Lodge, Greet, was reprsented by Bros T Bowles, P Peacey, E Marsden, J Roberts, A Lishman and A H Edwards. Bard of Avon Lodge, Bidford-on-Avon: Bro J Heming and others. A number of brethren of the Stour Lodge, Shipston-on-Stour, also attended.
Amongst the many members of the Ernie Thomas Lodge, Badsey, the Simon de Montfort and Earl of Coventry Lodges, Evesham, present were: Bros Smith, Cox, Essex, Tovey, Hatley, Wheatley, Haines, Hay, Hancocks, W and C Harwood, J Haskins, Brazier, Salter, Marsden, Evans, Walker, L and A Perkins, Daniels, Clark, Stuart, Crane, Sandford, C Thompson (Secretary), Pritchard, Sollis, Jelfs, Murray, C Byrd, F Turley, F Edwards, T Shurmer, A New, G E Mitchell, T Collins, S Pritchard, F Walker, W Andrews, G V Freeman and others.
Others present were: Mr G C Lees Milne (representing Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell), Mr J Holding (Badsey Conservative Association), Mr R W W Blake (Cirencester Conservative Benefit Society), Messrs P Case and E Salter (Badsey Rangers), Mr G S D Aldrich (Badsey branch of the British Legion), Mr R R Smith (Vale of Evesham Asparagus Growers’ Association), Mr Wood (Messrs Foster & Co, Evesham), and representatives of the Bretforton Silver Band.
The coffin was borne to the grave by Messrs F Dore (godson), C Harwood, E Evans, C Hall, R Norledge and A Knight.
Following the interment, about 70 beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave, including tributes from a number of Lodges of the RAOB, viz: Prov Grand Lodge of Worcester; Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund; Ernie Thomas Lodge; Simon de Montfort Lodge; Stour Lodge, Shipton; and other public bodies, viz, customers of the Royal Oak, Badsey Rangers, Bretforton Silver Band, Vale of Evesham Asparagus Growers’ Association, Cirencester Conservative Benefit Society, Directors and staff of Messrs Barnett Emanuel Ltd, and numerous other from friends and relatives.