Obituaries

OBITUARIES CHARLES NORMAN POPE MR. C. N. POPE, who had been a member of the Society since 1936, died on 14th August, 1957. The following notice is contributed by Major H. M. Rand, Chairman of the Ashford Archseological Society : When, in February, 1947, a number of members of the newly-formed Ashford Association asked for facilities to study local history, opportunity was taken to revive the Ashford and South Kent Archseological Society, which had been dormant since 1929. Mr. Pope, though not himself an archaeologist of experience, willingly came forward to act as Honorary Secretary, and to help set the Society once more on its feet. A botanist of note, a hard-working member of the Kent Field Club, and a participant in the local Map Distribution Scheme of plants, he gave cheerful and efficient service to the Society which, from then on, developed steadUy. He was a keen photographer, and many of the pictorial records of Old Ashford are from his camera. Moreover, he put together much material bearing on the history of Ashford, from which its more recent story may be written. Never in good health, he resigned the Secretaryship of the Ashford Archaeological Society in January, 1953, but, until his untimely passing, he remained an active member of committee. ALFRED CUMBERLAND ARCHAEOLOGY in North-West Kent has suffered a great loss in the death of Alfred Cumberland on 23rd October. He came of a weU-known Bedfordshire famUy, but settled in Kent in 1914, becoming a member of the Society in 1934. Undoubtedly his greatest work is found in Keyes' two massive volumes of Historical Notes of Dartford, for which Mr. Cumberland did aU the research, and much of the literary, work. He also transcribed the valuable Dartford Churchwardens' Accounts which date from 1642 (presenting a copy to the Society's Library). Mr. Cumberland played a leading part in the most active period of the Dartford Antiquarian Society. He was joint editor of its Transactions and aU regret that they are no longer published. He was also one of the chief directors of the two important excavations carried out in that period : the Roman site at Farningham and the Saxon Cemetery 258 OBITUARIES at Horton Kirby. Since he combined thoroughness with enthusiasm, both operations were carried out scientificaUy. Of late years Ulness has stopped his field work, but he was able to continue as an efficient local secretary of the Society for the Dartford area and as an inspiring influence to the Dartford Antiquarian Society. His quiet service, his lack of aggressiveness and his selfless pursuit of knowledge won for him a sincere regard in an industrial area which had been somewhat indifferent to archaeological affairs. H.J.B. LADY HAWLEY BY the death of Marjorie, Lady Hawley, of Tunbridge WeUs, the Society has lost a valued member of twenty-eight years standing. Lady Hawley had resided in Tunbridge Wells for nearly thirty years, where she was a much loved and known figure, taking a prominent part in many local activities and organizations. Her interests were wide, and included the Church, the Arts, Education, and the welfare of the Blind of the County ; she was also a never-faUing supporter of the local branch of our Society. For the past two or three years Lady Hawley suffered much Ulhealth, which she met and overcame with the same courageous spirit as she showed in all difficulties. SIR GERALD WOODS WOLLASTON, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., M.A., LL.M., F.S.A. COUNOTL learned with very deep regret of the death on 4th March, 1957, of Sir Gerald WoUaston at his home at Walmer at the age of 82. He had been a member of Council for many years and was one of our most distinguished Vice-Presidents. Sir Gerald was the only chUd of the late Sir Arthur WoUaston, and as a schoolboy at Harrow he was contemporary with another Honorary Freeman of Deal, Sir Winston ChurchUI. He took his degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was caUed to the Bar by the Inner Temple. In 1902 he began his remarkable career as Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary. He was appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant in 1906, and from 1919 to 1928 he was Richmond Herald. After two years as Norroy King of Arms, in 1930 he set out on the most distinguished period of his life as Garter Principal King of Arms, an office which he held untU 1944. 259 OBITUARIES His grandfather, Sir Albert Woods, and his great-grandfather, Sir WUliam Woods, had each held the office of Garter King of Arms, in fact the WoUaston famUy had been continuously represented among the Officers of Arms since 1819. When Sir Gerald wished to retire in 1944, he was not aUowed to do so, and was appointed Norroy and Ulster King of Arms. As Garter King, he arranged King George V's SUver JubUee, his funeral, the Proclamation of King Edward VIII, that of King George VT, and the latter's Coronation ; he also designed Coats of Arms for the Princess Ehzabeth and Princess Margaret. During the war he was asked by the War Ofiice to design suitable badges for London District and other Headquarters, and as Norroy King he took part in the Coronation of Queen Ehzabeth II in June, 1953. Whether at Windsor or Westminster, he played his part conscientiously and modestly in the great royal ceremonies he loved. He was considered the greatest hving authority on heraldry and ceremonial, yet with his immense erudition, he shared his knowledge so unaffectedly that it was a constant interest and pleasure to be with him. Sir Gerald was a Knight of Justice and Genealogist of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and as a barrister he often appeared before the Court of Privileges in peerage cases. He had served, too, in 1918 as Extra Secretary at the British Embassy in. Madrid. He took a remarkable interest in all the everyday activities of Deal, whether it was the welfare of local boatmen, or older longshoremen, the British Legion, the Angling Association, the Handelian Society, or the Cricket Club, of which he was a founder member and was stUl a player at the age of 75. He was also a gifted pianist and for many years organist at Walmer Parish Church. The memory of this gracious, courteous Herald, with his gentle kindness and his eager twinkling eyes, wUl long remain with us. A.R. Mr. W. P. D. Stebbing adds the following personal note : " I knew Sir Gerald WoUaston for many years ; my younger brother shared Chambers with him in the Inner Temple, and later we were near neighbours at Deal for well over 30 years. Sir Gerald had a valuable collection of heraldic material. His help was invaluable in aU armorial achievements, in heraldic hatchments on the waUs of our parish churches and especiaUy those in connection with St. Leonard's at Deal. He was active in social work in the town, being especially interested in the welfare of youth, and both sociaUy and as a sportsman his is a great loss to all of us who are connected with Walmer." 260