High Peak News
12 April 1924
Whaley Bridge. Obituary.
death of mr h. gosselin
A Member of a Famous Family
The sudden death on Monday, last week, of Mr Hellier Robert Hadsley Gosselin, at Errwood Hall, caused deep regret not only among the people in the district, where he was very much beloved and respected, but also at Hertford, where he had taken a keen interest in local affairs.
Mr Gosselin was born at the Priory, Ware, in 1849, and was one of the four sons of the late Mr and Mrs Martin Gosselin, Mrs Gosselin before her marriage being Miss Frances Marshall. Both his grandfathers were admirals. When a young man he inherited Bengor Hall, Hertford, from an aunt, and in 1902 he married Miss Mary Grimshaw, of Errwood Hall, Buxton. He took a great interest in Hertford, and was Mayor of that town in 1897-98, and again in the years 1917, 1918 and 1919. Mr Gosselin was also Sheriff of the County of Hertfordshire in 1906, and presiding magistrate of Hertford for some years.
Mr Gosselin had travelled very extensively on the Continent and had paid visits to Iceland. He was a great student of the Norse people and language, and was a member of the Royal Archaeological Society for very many years, his knowledge of the Norse language being exceptional. He was a accomplished linguist, and could speak French and Spanish. In politics he was a pronounced Conservative and worked hard for the cause, taking a great interest in the Hertford branch.
Of four brothers there now only survives one, Mr Gerard Gosselin. His eldest brother, Sir Martin Gosselin, was in the Diplomatic Service, and died at Lisbon in 1906 while British Ambassador there. Mr Bertram Gosselin was in the army, but died before the war. Of the two sisters there is also one surviving, Miss Geraldine Gosselin, who has resided in Switzerland for very many years.
The funeral took place on Thursday in the private cemetery at Errwood Hall, a service first of all being held in the private chapel at the Hall. The faithful and devoted friend of the family, the steward, Mr G. Oyarzabal, and his son, Mr J. Oyarzabal, carried out all the arrangements in the chapel at Errwood Hall, and in the cemetery and vault. The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Dr Singleton, conducted the service, and Father George Naylor, O.P., preached an eloquent sermon in which he spoke of the charming disposition and character of the deceased, which had endeared him to all who came in contact with him. There were also present Canon Kind, Buxton: Canon Roach, St. Joseph’s, Stockport; Father Byrne, Stockport; Father O’Reilly, Whaley Bridge; Canon Hugh Welch, Altrincham, and many other priests.
The chief mourners were: Mrs H. Gosselin, widow; Lady Gerard, Blakesware, Herts, Mrs Medlicott, Wilts, and Mrs Smythe-Osbourne, London, nieces; Hon. Mrs Preston, sister in law, Miss Preston, Erwood Hall; Colonel Ramsden-Jodrell, Taxal Lodge, Whaley Bridge; Dr W. Shipton, Buxton; Mr Bury, Buxton; Dr Stephenson, Whaley Bridge; Lady Gosselin, sister in law; Major Turner and Mrs Hubbersty were unable to be present.
Wreaths were received from the following:- Mrs Gosselin, widow; Lady Gerard, niece; Mrs Medlicott,, niece; Mrs Smythe-Osbourne, niece; Lady Gosselin, sister in law; Mr Gerard Gosselin, brother; Hon. Mrs Preston and Miss Preston; Dr Arthur Shipton; Colonel Ramsden-Jodrell; Mrs Hubbersty; tenants on the estate, Errwood Hall; servants, indoors and out, Errwood Hall; tenants and servants at Bengor Hall, Hertford; Mr and Mrs J.P. Munster and daughter, London.
The bearers were all from the Errwood Hall Estate, as follows: Messrs A. Warren, J. Clayton, H. Weir, B. Hibbert, J. Hibbert, J. Rock, E. Trueman, J. Hewitt, T. Jenkinson, J. Cottrill.
the arrangements were carried out by Mr Peter Bennett, Torr Street, Buxton.
