Harry James Bedwell (1870 - 1944)

Born 1 Jul 1870 in Leiston, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen Jane (Kitson) Bedwell — married 2 Jul 1894 in Leiston, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Died 30 Apr 1944 at age 73 in Bacton, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Harry was born in Leiston, Suffolk, England on 1 July 1870. ^[1] He was the son of James Bedwell and Mary Ann Woodbridge. ^[2] He became a miller like his father and worked two mills at Cotton, Suffolk, for more than 40 years. He married Ellen Kitson in Leiston on 2 July 1894 ^[3] and they had a son and a daughter. He died in Bacton, Suffolk, at his daughter Kathy’s house, on 30 April 1944, aged 73. ^[4]

From the Diss Express, 12 May 1944:
THE LATE MR. H. J. BEDWELL
By the passing of Mr. Harry James Bedwell, Cotton has lost one of its most respected inhabitants. Mr. Bedwell came to live at Mill House, Cotton, in 1894 and carried on the business of miller and corn merchant until he retired in 1936, when he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. D. Le Grice. In his younger days. Mr. Bedwell was a keen sportsman, belonging to the cricket and tennis clubs of the village. He was an active member of the Village Hall Committee, and also served on the Parish Council and as a manager of the Voluntary School. A devout worshipper at the church, Mr. Bedwell was Sunday School teacher for many years and church warden for almost 50 years. He had been in failing health a few weeks, but death came suddenly on Sunday week.
His wife predeceased him in 1935.
The funeral took place at St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday week when a large number of people attended, to pay tribute to Mr. Bedwell. As the cortege entered the church, Mrs. G. Black, organist, played ‘O rest in the Lord.’ and also accompanied the hymn ‘Give me the wings of faith to rise.’
Rev. R. C. Hobbs, who officiated, remarked that as a newcomer to the village, he felt unfitted for the duty that fell to him that day, but he claimed it a pleasure to have known Mr Bedwell, who was kindhearted, generous and ready to give advice, and, he added, faithful in worship and regular, under all circumstances. Nothing worried him more than when he could not attend to his church duties, but he had now gone to receive the reward of the faithful servant.
As the coffin left the church the Nunc Dimittus[sic] was sung.
The family mourners included Mr. and Mrs. Le Grice (son-in-law and daughter), Mrs. H. Bedwell (daughter-in-law), Mrs. Clarke, Ipswich (niece) and Mrs. Holden. Owing to serving in H.M. Forces overseas, Mr. Chris. Last was unable to attend.
Others present included members of the Parochial Council, School Managers, and Head Mistress of the Voluntary School.
The floral tributes were from the family, teachers and scholars of Cotton Voluntary School, and the Parochial Council.
On Sunday morning a muffled peal was rung on the Church bells to the memory of Mr. Bedwell. conducted by Mr. B. Chilvers.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "England and Wales National Register, 1939," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7R32-K8ZM : 16 April 2019), Harry J Bedwell in entry for Dodsley Le Grice, 29 Sep 1939; from "General Register Office: National Registration: 1939 Register," database, FindMyPast (https://www.findmypast.com : 2017); citing Census, Hartismere, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom, RG 101, The National Archives, Kew, England; FHL microfilm .
2. ↑ 1871 census: "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFN6-5FZ : 25 June 2022), Henery James Bedwell in entry for Elizabeth Woodbridge, 1871.
3. ↑ Marriage: Ipswich Journal, 7 July 1904, p. 8, col. 4, British Newspaper Archive:
   

   LEISTON.
   WEDDING.—On Monday a pretty little wedding took place at St. Margaret's Church, the contracting parties being Ellen, youngest daughter of Mr. David Kitson, Leiston, and Mr. Harry James Bedwell, eldest son of the late Mr. James Bedwell. Considerable interest was evinced in the auspicious event. The service was conducted by the Rev. B. W. Raven. The bride, who was given away by her father, was attended by her sister, Miss Emma Kitson, as bridesmaid. In the afternoon the happy couple left for their new home at Cotton, where Mr. Bedwell has recently acquired two mills. They wore the recipients of numerous presents.

4. ↑ Death: "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7XQB-JH6Z : Sun Mar 10 11:06:04 UTC 2024), Entry for Harry James Bedwell and Kathleen Marie Le Grice, 3 Jun 1944.

• See also: FamilySearch Person: GHLT-JC8