Obituary: Major P. H. G. Powell-Cotton, F.Z.S.

( 156 ) MAJOR P. H. G. POWELL-COTTON, F.Z.S. THE Isle of Thanet and zoological science have suffered a great loss in the death on June 26th last, at the age of 73, of Major Powell-Cotton, of Quex Park, Birehington, a member of the Council of the Society, and the founder of a Natural History Museum unique of its kind and known by his name. Its exhibits also comprise most important ethnological and anthropological material. The collections have been built up as the result of twenty-seven hunting trips made by him to Africa and Western Tibet, and show an almost complete assemblage, arranged in geographical groups and in their natural surroundings, of the big game of the Dark Continent. With its superabundance of study material, its new species and record specimens it is of the greatest scientific value and has an international reputation. To his big game hunting Powell-Cotton brought a keen scientific interest and experts from all over the world visit his Museum to study the zoological material, native weapons, handicrafts, ornaments and ritual objects displayed therein. In addition he was an enthusiast on the archaeology of the county, and on and about his estate he was instrumental in proving many early sites, which have added interesting exhibits to the collections. Perhaps the most remarkable have been a hoard of British tin money which led to the assumption that during that period there was a local mint on the place, and a pottery bowl of unique shape containing Bronze Age palstaves of varied patterns, thought to be a man's personal wealth which he had buried for safety. The writer was with Major and Mrs. Powell-Cotton only a few months before his death, when the early church site at Woodchurch, Thanet, was being investigated and proved by them. In 1938 important help was given by Powell-Cotton and Miss Antoinette Powell-Cotton in the excavation of a new OBITUARY. 157 Bronze Age site on the shore between tide marks at Minnis Bay, which had been discovered and laid bare by a schoolboy, G. J. D'A. Beck. The preliminary results of the " Beck " find, with a catalogue of the hoard of bronze implements, have been pubhshed in Vol. LI of A.C. Powell-Cotton was born at Margate on September 20th, 1866, the eldest son of the late Mr. H. H. Powell-Cotton. In 1905 he married Hannah Brayton, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Slater. The family have been in possession of Quex since 1777 and the North Chancel Chapel of Birehington Church belongs to and is maintained by the Estate. W.P.D.S.