OBITUARY OF EDWIN JOHN BOTTLE #2118.
(His picture in in the Images section, number 49)

One of Sittingbourne's most respected inhabitants has passed away in the person of Mr. Edwin John Bottle, who had reached the venerable age of 84 years, and with his passing goes one who has left his mark in the community in which he had lived so long.

As a young man he came to Sittingbourne to be groom-gardener to the late Rev. William Henry Dyson, Vicar of St.Michael's, Sittingbourne, in or about the year 1870. He continued in this capacity with the succeeding Vicar, the Rev. Henry Venn, and afterwards for many years was gardener to the late Mr. W. J. Harris and members of his family, at 76, High Street, Sittingbourne.

During the greater part of this time, until about twelve months ago, when he became ill, he had resided at 1 Railway- terrace, Sittingbourne.

....Photograph....

He will be perhaps, best remembered as a bell ringer, for he was the oldest change-ringer in this part of the county. As a boy he rang the bells at Tonge Parish Church, where his father was then verger, and he was the sole remaining member of the original band of ringers who rang the first peal on the occasion of the founding of a branch of the Kent Change-Ringers Society at Sittingbourne. This was nearly sixty years ago, when there were only six bells in the tower. <>P In this connection it is interesting to recall that the original six bells were cast in 1687. Prior to 1882 these bells had never been properly pealed, and the following ringers took part in the first peal ever rung on the bells (a 72O of plain bob minor): 1 W. G. Gordelier, 2 F. C. Mattison, 3 E. J. Cooper, 4 E. J. Bottle, 5 Sam Snelling, and tenor W. J. Judd. F. C. Mattison conducted. Two years later these same six ringers rang the last peal (a 720 of Kent treble bob minor) on St. Michael's bells before the two new "trebles" were added.

Following the opening of the eight bells on December 20th, 1885 (on the occasion of the marriage of Dr. Francis Grayling), 5,040 changes of Grandsire Triples was rung by the following:- Ernest Gower, J. C. Elliott, Edmund White, J. N. Cooper, Edwin J. Bottle, Sam Snelling, W. H. Judd and H. Sutton (who stood in that order). The peal was conducted by Mr. Judd.

Thus it will be seen that our deceased friend participated in several epoch-marking peals in those days.

Before the "eight bell" tower was opened, Mr. Bottle used to walk to and from Leeds, ten miles away, to learn "eight- bell" methods of ringing.

As a bell-ringer he was full of enthusiasm, and had travelled widely (both in the county and out of it) ringing in different towers.

At one time he was a fireman; in fact, he was one of the original members of the Sittingbourne Brigade when it was formed in 1874, when all the Brigade possessed in the way of appliances at that time was the old reel, with its lengths of leather hose. He continued with the Brigade for some years after Chief Officer Hedley Peters, senior, took over and modernised the Brigade in 1897. He, of course, held the long service medal.

He lost his wife eleven years ago, and is survived by the following sons and daughters:- Mrs. Hollis, of Hythe-road, Milton; Mrs. Freeman, of Springfield-road, Milton; Mrs. Peck, of Snodland; Mr. Albert Bottle, of Luton, Chatham; Mr. W. A. Bottle, of Swanley; Mrs. Barton of Ashford, Mr. S. Bottle, of South-avenue, Sittingbourne; and Mr. Bernard Bottle, of Harrow; and there are a large number of grandchildren.

An Impressive Funeral

The funeral, which took place at Sittingbourne Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon, following service in St. Michael's, was of a very impressive character.

The coffin was borne on the engine of the Milton fire engine, while the Sittingbourne fire engine followed laden with flowers, and was accompanied by a large contingent of firemen of the regular brigade and the A.F.S., under the command of Chief Officer Hedley Peters.

At the service in church, the Vicar (the Rev. Dr. A. Jones) gave a short address, in which he dealt with the life of service which the late Mr. Bottle had rendered to the community.

At the Cemetery a band of ringers, Mr. Bottle's former colleagues of the belfry, rang "touches" on the handbells over the grave.

The chief mourners were Mesdames J. Hollis, H. Peck, and A. C. Barton (daughters), Mr. S. J. Bottle (son), Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Freeman (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. Albert Bottle and Mr. Arthur Bottle (sons), Mrs. Chambers, Mrs. Darby, and Mrs. Smith (sisters), Mr. A. Bottle (brother), Mr. Charles Ward (nephew, representing his mother, Mr. Bottle's sister), Mr. S. Hollis (nephew), Mr. S. Holdstock (brother-in-law), Mr. George Smith (nephew), and Mr. and Mrs. Holdstock (nephew and neice).

A large number of friends were also present in church, and met the cortege at the Cemetery.

Following are a number of the many floral tributes which were received, it being impossible to obtain a full list be- fore going to Press:- "In loving memory of my dear Brother," from Emily and family. "Loving memory of Dad," from Son and Daughter, Sid and Hilda. Brethren and Officers of A.O.F. Sister Annie and family at home and abroad. Daughter and Son, Esther and Walt. Bill and Flo and family. Kit, Syd, and Valerie. Connie and Jane. Queenie and Syd and family. Fan and Dolly. Nellie and family (Ashford). Dr. and Mrs. A. Jones. Nell, Mabel, Jack, and Bert. Uncle Steve, Fred and Winnie. "With kind remembrances," from Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Tyler and family. "With deepest sympathy," from Cousin Polly. "In remembrance," from the Officers and Members of the Sittingbourne and Milton Fire Brigade. Members of the Kent County Association of Change Ringers (Rochester District). "With deep respect" from all the neighbours of Railway-terrace. Edie, Syd, and little Margaret, and Dorothy and Bob. Ede, Arthur, and Roy. Bill and Grace, Rene and Bob. St. Michael's Change Ring.

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