ALBERT SHEPPARD FUNERAL 1909

Funeral procession in the High Street

By Andy Gilbert

Photo:Funeral Procession 1909

Funeral Procession 1909

Old photo - via Facebook

Photo:Newspaper cutting from 31st March 1909

Newspaper cutting from 31st March 1909

Brighton Gazette

Photo:Newspaper cutting from 31st March 1909

Newspaper cutting from 31st March 1909

Brighton Gazette

The photo popped up on a local Facebook group. It shows the funeral procession of Albert George Sheppard in 1909. The photo simply says 'Naval Volunteer Funeral' but from the number of people in attendance in the High Street, I assume that the man was of some importance locally.

Can anyone provide more details on the man and his Newhaven connections?

Click on the photo to enlarge.

 

This page was added by Andy Gilbert on 01/04/2020.
Comments about this page

It seems Albert George Sheppard was only 22 years old when he passed away in early 1909.

By John Hills
On 01/04/2020

A little research by Carolyn Proud on the Facebook group where the photo popped up revealed that the caption on the photo is most likely incorrect. He lived in, and was buried in, Brighton. However, he was a member of the RNVR at Newhaven. The photo apparently shows a memorial procession rather than the funeral.

By Andy Gilbert
On 02/04/2020

On closer inspection in the centre of the picture, there is a vicar in white leading 8 cadets pulling a gun carriage with a coffin which is draped with a flag, capped by flowers.

So it seems more likely to be a funeral procession held in Newhaven before his burial in his home town of Brighton where he was born and his death registered in the first quarter of 1909.

By John Hills
On 02/04/2020

That's what I initially thought too, but an old newspaper article unearthed by Carolyn Proud suggested that the funeral procession was held in Brighton, the description of which matched what we see in the photo. I've added that article.

Makes me wonder if they didn't walk all the way to Brighton. I've reported back to the Facebook group and we'll see what they now think!

The date of the funeral was Saturday the 27th March 1909. John - Editor

By Andy Gilbert
On 02/04/2020
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