BADSEY – IN MEMORY OF MR J D PETHARD
At morning service at St James’ Church on Sunday, the choir desks erected to the memory of the late Mr Douglas Pethard, a native of Badsey and a chorister of St James’ Church for many years, who was drowned while on holiday in Austria, were dedicated by the Vicar, Canon Allsebrook.
The provision of the stalls was made possible through the efforts of his many friends who contributed to a fund started by the Parochial Church Council. The desks are in English oak, with a carved inscription on the front rail: “In happy memory of John Douglas Pethard, an exemplary chorister and afterwards deputy organist, who died August 17th 1937. R.I.P.”
On October 27th 1937, a peal of Grandsire Triples of 5,040 changes was rung in St James’ tower on what would have been Mr Pethard’s 24th birthday. This was rung at the request of the relatives with open clappers as an “In memoriam peal” and a peal board record was erected to his memory in the tower.
On Sunday afternoon a quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was rung by Messrs John Perkins, W D Sparrow, J Hall Junior, A J Taylor, J D Johnson, F Sadler, G A King and G Moisey.