Dursley Gazette Saturday 1st July 1905 - copied at Gloucester Records Office

“Funeral of Mr George Hodges of Thornbury- An Impressive Gathering.”

Amid many manifestations of mourning and respect, the mortal remains of this respected old townsman (whose death we reported in our last issue), was conveyed to their last resting - place, the Thornbury Cemetery, on Tuesday last.  The officiating minister was the Vicar the Rev A. W. Cornwall MA.  The first portion of the service was conducted at the parish church.  The following relatives were present at the funeral;-
James and Austin Hodges (sons), P. G. W. Ball (son in law), Herbert, Hector and John Hodges (grandsons), J. H. Williams (nephew), J. H. Williams junr. H. W. Williams, Joseph Staley (brother in law), R. E. Staley, and L. R. Staley.

Mr W. D. Canning, steward of the Thornbury Manor, attended, carrying the Mace which the deceased had held up to the time of his death, he having for a number of years, held the office of Mace Bearer to the Mayor and Corporation of Thornbury, previous to and up to the time of their dissolution.  Amongst others present were Mr Perham of Bristol (the family solicitor), Messrs H P Thurston, S. Stutchbury, J F Chambers, C. G. Bruton, E. Bruton, W. Fry, W. M. Rugman, W. C. James, F. Rugman, W. C. Cullimore, T. R. Seldon, W. W. Pitcher, D. Barnett, F. Gayner, G. H. Txell, (sic), J. Bevan, W. H. Ponting, H. Potts, G. Biddle, T. Croome, H. Robbins, --, Isaac, T. Exell, F. Williams, H. Liddiatt, T. G. Fill, C. Fry, G. Symes, W. Cullimore, and others.

The coffin, which was of polished oak, with heavy brass furniture, was placed in a brick grave, which contained the remains of his wife, who had predeceased him about seven years.  The deceased had during his life time been an active townsman, and probably but few loyal Englishmen were able to boast, as he felt it an honour to have the privilege so to do, viz., of having the Union Jack on the following festive occasions in his old town:- Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen in 1838; Marriage of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in 1863, Her Majesty’s Jubilee in 1887; Marriage of his Royal Highness the Duke of York in 1893; Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897; and the Coronation of His Majesty the King in 1902.

A somewhat singular coincidence of the funeral was the fact that his valuable collection of old coins, which he for a number of years had made it one of his greatest hobbies to collect at considerable expense, was sold by auction at Messrs Sotherby’s in London on the same day that his remains were laid to rest.  Sometime previous to his short illness, which terminated in his death, he had consigned his collection of coins to the above firm, and the arrangement for the sale was so far advanced that it was found unpracticable to postpone the sale.

There were a number of floral wreathes contributed by the following:- Jim and Eliza; Austin and Eleanor; Herbert, Hector and Jack; Mr and Mrs J H. Williams; Mr W. O. Maclaine; The Quinn at Cirencester; F. Jennings; and others.  The arrangements for the funeral were conducted by Mr George Tucker of Thornbury.