[From Manx Quarterly, #16,1916]

CHARLES BOWMAN BICKERSTAFF.

Died, October, 16th, 1915.

The death took place on October 16th of Mr Charles Bowman Bickerstaff, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs Corrin, 73 Malew-street, Castletown. Deceased was in his 82nd year. A native of Liverpool, he was educated at the Blue Coat School, in which he~ maintained a warm interest to the last. Selecting a scholastic profession, he became schoolmaster at Ballasalla close upon half-a-century ago, a post he held with distinction for many years. His ability as a musician soon manifested itself, and he was appointed organist and choirmaster of Malew Church. In 1882, he accepted a post as confidential clerk to the then Attorney-General (Sir James Gell), and retained his connection with the firm of Gell and Gell, advocates, up to two or three years ago, when he was succeeded by This son, Mr C. H. Bickerstaff. His business life was characterised by strict integrity and unswerving devotion to duty. Along with the later Lady Gell, who was the founder and hon. treasurer of the Castletown Nursing Home, Mr Bickerstaff assiduously applied himself to the initial work, and capably performed the duties of hon. secretary from the, inception of the Home up to the time of his death. He could never be prevailed upon to enter public life, but he took a warmhearted interest in every movement that was for the progress and development of the town and in charitable objects such as the Coal Fund. He was the valued Castletown correspondent of the " Examiner" for a long period of years. A staunch adherent of the Church of England, he was for many years senior churchwarden and secretary of St. Mary's, Castletown. Of late the infirmity attendant upon advancing age has been apparent, and in the last few weeks the signs of increasing bodily weakness became accentuated. Mrs Bickerstaff predeceased him some years ago, and the surviving children are Mr C. H. Bickerstaff (Castletown), Mrs W. Corrin (Castletown), Mrs J. Kaneen (Douglas), and Mrs P. A. Thorburn (Castletown). The influence of his upright life will be long felt, and the bereaved family have the sympathy of many friends in their. loss. At St. Mary's Chapel, Castletown, on Sunday morning, the Rev E. H. L Locke (chaplain) made the following appropriate reference to the deceased :-Before commencing my sermon, I feel I must say a word or two with regard to the great loss which St. Mary's Chapel has experienced in the death of the senior warden. As we all know, his services in connection with the chapel have been many and varied, and have been most devotedly given. In finance he was a master, and he almost wrought a miracle in the financial position o£ the chapel during the period in which he so ably managed these matters. His loss cannot fail to be felt, and we shall always gratefully remember the deep debt which we shall ever owe to his memory for all his, untiring efforts. Alas! his later years have been years of terrible bodily suffering: so much so that the marvel has been how flesh and blood could endure the strain to which he was subjected for so long. And now God, in His infinite mercy. has seen fit to bring those sufferings to an end, and to call His aged servant to his rest. In view of all that he has gone through. we could not wish it otherwise. God rest his soul! God grant him His eternal and everlasting peace! With regard to those to whom he was near and dear. we know that their bereavement will he a sad and grievous one. May God Almighty sanctify their sorrow-for sorrow there must be, even though he was spared to them so long. May He grant them that healing balm which He alone can give! And as these separations and partings come to us, as come they must in this world of change and decay, may we all find a reminder that " here have we no continuing city" ; that we are at best sojourners and pilgrims, and that this is not our real and abiding home. And may we all so steadfastly press on through the earthly tent-life that, by the mercy of God, we may at last come to the home above-to that home, " eternal in the heavens," which is " incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away."

At the close of the service, the organist (Mr J. T. W. Wicksey) played the "Dead March " (" Saul.")

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral of the late Mr C. B. Bickerstaff took place at Malew Churchyard on Tuesday, the large attendance of prominent gentlemen testifying to the respect in which deceased was held. The Rev E. H. L. Locke gave out the hymn, "O God, our help in ages past," which was feelingly sung, at the door; and at Malew the last rites were sympathetically conducted by the Rev J. M. Spicer (vicar). The hymn, " Jesu, Lover of my soul," was sung in the church, and the organist (Miss Spicer) played the " Dead March " (" Saul.")

The chief mourners were:-Mr C. H. Bickerstaff (son), Mr and Mrs W. Corrin (son-in-law and daughter), Mr and Mrs .I. Kaneen (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs P. .A Thorburn (daughter), Messrs Charles and Stanley Corrin and Master Charles Thorburn (grandsons), Miss Clara Corrin (granddaughter), and Mr J. T. W. Wicksey.

LEONARD DURSLEY.

Died September 2nd, 1915.

Mr Leonard Dursley, of Strathallan, Onchan, died at his residence on Sept. 22nd. Though not a very familiar figure to Manx people, Mr Dursley for a considerable period was somewhat prominent in connection with financial life in Douglas. Nearly thirty years ago he came to reside in the Island, having previously amassed a competency while engaged in commerce in Birmingham. He had invested a large amount of money in the old Douglas Water Company, and on coming to live in Douglas be joined the directorate of that exceedingly prosperous concern, his fellow-directors including the late Mr H. B. Noble and the late Mr John Parkes. While he was on the board of the Company, the Company's concern was sold to the Douglas Town Commissioners at a price which was exceedingly satisfactory to the Company. He afterwards joined the boards of the Salisbury and Star Hotels Company, the Isle of Man Breweries Company, and the Palace and Derby Castle, Ltd. From the last-named board he retired about a year ago owing to failing health. Mr Dursley leaves a widow and one daughter, the latter being the wife of Mr Robert Stott, of Douglas. Of retiring, yet exceedingly kindly and courteous disposition, Mr Dursley was highly respected and esteemed by those people who had the privilege of his acquaintance.

JOHN SCARFFE.

Died October 17th, 1915.

The death occurred on October 17th, at his residence, 82 Carisbrooke-road, Walton, of Mr John Scarffe, who had been for nearly 50 years a member of the advertising staff of the. " Liverpool Courier." He had been in failing health for some time, though his active association with the " Courier" only ceased a few weeks ago. Mr Scarffe was a native of Liverpool, and was born in 1848. On his father's side he was a descendant of the Scarffe's of Ballaskirrow, Lonan, and his mother was a native of Peel. Mr Scarffe had a sister in Peel (Mrs Edward Cattier), and often visited Peel for his summer holidays, and was well-known, indeed, in Douglas as well, where be had many friends. He had been a president of the Liverpool Manx Society, and took a great interest in Manx people in Liverpool. His religious interests were centred in Wesleyan Methodism, and he had been connected for .50 years with Brunswick Wesleyan Church, where he was a trustee and manager of the Day Schools, and he was also a trustee of Wesleyan property and office-bearer in the Bootle Wesleyan Church during his residence in the Walton district. Mr Scarffe leaves a widow and daughter and two sons, and his loss will be felt by many who were familiar with his self-sacrifice and benevolent activities. The interment took place on Wednesday at Anfield Crematorium, where a short service was hold,

JANE EDGAR.

Died October 4th, 1915,

On Monday, October 4th, Miss Jane Edgar passed away at her residence, 3 Cronkbourne-road, Douglas. Miss Jane Edgar, in conjunction with her sisters, formerly carried on a private school for girls in Buck's-road, Douglas, and the establishment had a well-deserved reputation in Douglas for the excellence and thoroughness of the education imparted. Subsequently Miss Edgar and her sisters were associated in the very successful conduct of a famous season boarding-house on the Central Promenade. They retired from business some few years ago, and after retirement Miss Jane Edgar did not experience good health. For a considerable period before death she was practically confined to the house. but she continued active of mind to the end. She was a lady of very impressive personality and powerful mentality. Extremely well-informed, she took a great interest in political, social, and religious questions.

In politics she was an ardent Liberal of the Gladstonian school, and she was well able to express her strong convictions in this connection and to justify them. She was an unusually well-read' woman, and there were few subjects upon which she was unable to discourse with acceptance. From childhood almost, she was a member of the Congregational Church, and being of a decidedly musical turn, she for many years was one of the mainstays of the choir at Finch Hill Congregational Church, Douglas. She also took a, very active interest in the Sunday-school connected with that church, and while her health served her she was a teacher in the school. She is survived by one sister, Miss Marianne Edgar, and one brother. Mr J. B. Edgar. Two sisters predeceased her. The funeral took place on Thursday morning, interment being at the Borough Cemetery. The Rev Vivian Davies officiated.

PHILIP TEARE.

Died September 16th, 1915,

A rare and beautiful character, in the person of Mr Philip Tease, passed away at his residence, Dunelm, Albany-road, Douglas, on Sept. 16th. He was the eldest son of the late Mr Edward Teare, of the Earey, Patrick, and his early life was spent in the Island as a. schoolmaster, but he has been teaching in the neighbourhood of Newcastle for many years, previously to his return to the Island to reside and enjoy his pension, about ten years ago. His wife also was a teacher, and survives him. Mr Teare loved everything Manx. and was a member of the Antiquarian and National History Society, and often accompanied the members on their rambles. He was 75 years old.