The funeral of the late Mr. Matthew Kirtley, Locomotive Superintendent of the
Midland Railway, took place on Thursday afternoon. The men at the
works met early in the week and requested permission to follow their old
master's remains to the grave, expressing a strong desire "to see the
last of him." This request it was impossible to refuse, and the works
were closed at eight o'clock in the morning. Some of the oldest foremen
were selected as bearers, several having been with him since 1840. All
the foremen of running engines from the out stations, and those from the
works at Derby were present, as were also other representatives from the
different locomotive departments extending from the Midland system, and
nearly 800 workmen. The new chairman of the Midland (Mr. Ellis) was
present. The pall bearers were Mr. Allport, general manager of the
Midland; Mr. J. Williams, secretary; Mr. J. Noble, assistant manager;
Mr. Charles Markham, of Staveley works (formerly in the locomotive
department at Derby); Mr. Newcombe, goods manager; and Mr. Pettifor. The
Mayor of Derby (J. Smith, Esq.) followed in his private carriage.
The interment took place at the Old Cemetery, Uttoxeter New-road, and
the procession left Litchurch Grange, the residence of the deceased,
shortly after half-past one o'clock, in the following order:—
|
FIRST MOURNING COACH.
|
| Rev. — Lester. |
Rev. A. Olivier. |
| Mr. John Lindley |
Rev. W. Crosbie. |
|
SECOND MOURNING COACH.
|
| Mr. W. Iliffe. |
Dr. Robertson. |
| Mr. S. Currey. |
Mr. H. Wright. |
|
THIRD MOURNING COACH.
|
Mr. E. S. Ellis (Chairman of
the Midland Railway) |
Mr. C. H. Jones (a director). |
|
FOURTH MOURNING COACH.
|
| Mr. W. H. Hodges. |
Mr. G. Taylor. |
| Mr. W. H. Adams. |
Mr. C. H. Jones, jun. |
|
FIFTH MOURNING COACH.
|
| Mr. C. F. Roe. |
Mr. G. Mellor. |
| Mr. — Hedley. |
Mr. — Hedley. |
|
SIXTH MOURNING COACH.—PALL BEARERS.
|
| Mr. J. Williams. |
Mr. J. Allport. |
| Mr. J. Noble. |
Mr. C. Markham. |
|
SEVENTH MOURNING COACH.
|
| Mr. J. Pettifor. |
Mr. W. Newcombe. |
| Mr. R. Speight. |
|
|
THE HEARSE.
|
|
EIGHTH CARRIAGE.—MOURNERS
|
| Mrs. Kirtley. |
Mr. W. Kirtley. |
| Miss Kirtley. |
Mr. F. Kirtley. |
|
NINTH CARRIAGE.
|
| Miss E. Kirtley. |
Mr. H. Kirtley. |
| Mrs. Greenwood. |
Mr. A. Greenwood. |
|
PRIVATE CARRIAGES, containing friends.
Friends walking.
Out Stations and Derby Foremen.
Clerks.
Engine-drivers and Firemen.
Workmen.
|
The funeral was perhaps the largest that has ever taken place in
Derby, The whole length of the route was lined with people, and at most
of the shops and private houses the windows were darkened and the
shutters raised as a mark of respect for the memory of one whose loss
will be deeply felt in this town. In the morning the minute bell at St.
Peters and other churches was tolled.
On arriving at the Cemetery the mourners entered the chapel, and the
former part of the solemn service was read by the Rev. — Lester, and
the concluding portion by the Rev. W. Crosbie, Congregational minister.
The body was then conveyed to its last resting place at the upper end of
the Cemetery, where a crowd had already collected. The remainder of the
ceremony was performed by the Rev. A. Olivier, incumbent of St. James's
Church. A wreath of white camelias, and also a wreath of forget-me-nots
were placed on the coffin as it was lowered into the grave. The solemn
service having been brought to a close, nearly all present took a last
look at the coffin, and then left the Cemetery. The coffin, which
contained a leaden shell, was of oak, mounted with brass furniture,
having a large plate, with the following inscription:—"Matthew Kirtley,
born Feb. 6, 1813; died, May 24, 1873." Mr. T. George was the
undertaker.
An accident, which happily was unattended with injury, happened opposite
St. Peter's Church a few minutes after the procession had passed. A
large Pickford's van laden with bark was passing down the street, and
when opposite the church the horse took fright. The van was twisted
round, and backed against the curbstone opposite the shop of Mr. Harvey.
The shafts were broken off, and became detached, and the powerful horse
gallopped down the street with the shafts at a furious pace. The street,
especially at the bottom, was crowded, but the people just cleared away
in time, and no one was hurt. The horse went down the Corn-market, and
was stopped by some cabmen in the Market-place.
The Derby Mercury, Wednesday, June 4, 1873; Issue 8289
Please note: the identification of the male Kirtleys is tentative.