Amble Burial of Radcliffe Man

[janwhin]

Another story to attach to one of the East cemetery burials relates to George Smails, aged 26, of Radcliffe who was buried on 3 October 1891. The Morpeth Herald of Saturday 10 October carried the following story under the heading "Funeral of a Radcliffe Bandsman"
"A member of the Radcliffe band named G Smailes, who died suddenly on Wednesday week, was interred at Amble on Saturday last. Deceased was held in high respect by his brother bandsmen and they resolved as a last tribute to his memory to attend his funeral and play "The Dead March in Saul". In this they were supported by large numbers of bandsmen from Broomhill and Shilbottle numbering forty in all. The solemn cortege was witnessed by large crowds of people who were deeply interested in the grand piece of music played played with muffled drums."
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