Lady May of Bughtrigg – The Times Obit

The Times, March 25, 1936

On March 24, 1936 at Bughtrigg, Coldstream, Berwickshire, Kinbarra Swene (Kinnie), widow of Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Henry May, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., in her 88th year. Funeral Duns, Friday 11:00a.m.

Following assume from a local paper

The Late Lady May

ONE WELL BELOVED BY ALL

The news of the death of Lady May, Bughtrigg, which occurred at her residence, early on Tuesday morning, was received with much regret by a wide circle of friends, and more especially by the residents in the Leitholm district, where she had been for 23 years a very popular figure and a lady well-beloved by all. Lady May had been ill for about a month but recently she had shown signs of returning to her usual good health, and it was, therefore quite a shock to all who knew her to hear of her passing, which came unexpectedly.

Lady May was the widow of Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Henry May, who died in October 1930. After her husband’s death she continued in residence at Bughtrigg and also continued her good work amongst the people of the district, who held her in high respect and affection. Her maiden name was Kinbarra Swene Marrow, a daughter of the late Mr. W.J. Marrow, Liverpool. Born in September 1848, she was in her 88th year, but despite her years, she remained active up until the time of her recent illness. She was married in 1878, and on many occasions accompanied her husband on the Admiral’s yacht, while he was on duty in various parts of the world. They were a devoted couple, and naturally the Admiral’s death in 1930 came as a severe blow to her.

HER GOOD WORK

Lady May’s death is a great loss to the villagers of Leitholm, where her good works will remain in the memory of all. She had a particular concern for the sick and needy and made it a rule of her life, to always keep in touch with the poorer people in the district.

No case of illness was ever brought to her notice without her personally visiting, if she thought sympathy, help or encouragement was required. When she visited these cases, hers was always help of a practical kind. It is not the first time that she has been known to be paying a visit to a sick women and on hearing that the man of the house was expected home for tea, she promptly saw to it that the fire was attended to, the kettle boiled, and the tea put on the table.

No call for any charitable purpose was ever made on her for vain. She was a cheerful giver, and loved to help those, as she put it herself “who are not so well off as I am” She had a bright and kindly personality and a spirit which was at all time helpful and cheerful. She will be very much missed in the district of Leitholm, where she had done so much to lighten the burdens of other people.

INTERESTED IN EVERYTHING.

That Lady May took a keen interest in everything which had to do with the welfare of the people of all classes was evidenced by the support she gave to all clubs and associations in the district. She was President of the Girl Guides, and a member of the Nursing Association Committee. She was one of the founders of the local branch of the Women’s Rural Institute and held office of Hon. President. A keen supporter of the Episcopal Church, she was a regular attender at Christ Church, Duns.

In all walks of life, and with everyone she came in contact with , Lady May was very popular and she will be very much missed by a wide circles of friends.

Lady May is survived by two sons. The eldest is Lieut-General, Sir Reginald Seaburne May, K.C.B., K.B.E., C.M.G., D. & O., late General Officer Commanding 49th West Riding Division, T.A. York and now Quartermaster General to the Forces at the War Office, London. The second son is Commander Archibald Seaburne May, M.V.O., who is at present in Malta, and was unable to be at the funeral on Friday, Admiral and Lady May’s only daughter died at Bughtrigg in 1921.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place to Christ Church Churchyard on Friday, when the large attendance of mourners was evidence of the very high respect and deep affection in which Lady May had been held.

A service was held in the church, to which the coffin had previously been taken. The service being conducted by the Rev. R.A. Forde, Rector, while Mr J.L. Hume presided at the organ. The service was wholly choral, the praise being led by the surpliced choir.

The opening hymn was “Let Saints on earth in concert sing” and this was followed by Psalm 23 “The Lord is my Shepherd:. The Lesson was taken from St. John ands was followed by prayers. The hymn “O God, our help” was sung and after the blessing had been pronounced, the coffin was carried from the church, while the choir, who led, sang the Nune Dimittis.

The committal service was also taken by Mr Forde. The grave was lined by a special grass surrounding, with a row of pink cut flowers round the top.

IN ATTENDANCE

The chief mourners were:-

Lieutenant – General Sir Reginald Seaburne May	Son
Mr William May	Grandson
Mr Guy May	Grandson
Mr George Buckstone	Nephew
Miss Molly Marrow	Niece
Mrs Crake	Niece
Mrs Sale	Neice

The Pallbearers were:-

Lieutenant – General Sir Reginald Seaburne May	Son
Mr William May	Grandson
Mr Guy May	Grandson
Mr George Buckstone	Nephew
Mr Donaldson	Employee at Bughtrigg
Mr Paterson	Employee at Bughtrigg
Mr Blackie	Employee at Bughtrigg
Mr Denholm	Employee at Bughtrigg

AMONGST OTHERS PRESENT WE NOTICED

Lieut-Colonel R.H. Crake – Cumledge Mr John Sale -Glanton Major Wilson -Antons Hill Lieut-Colonel C.S. Stirling-Cochrane – Sydenham House Kelso Mr and Mrs W.E. Kitson – Blanerne Cdr. and Mrs H Lillingston – Horncliffe House Mrs J.F. Erskine – Bonky Lodge Lord Douglas M.P. (representing the Earl of Home) The Hirsel Cdr. Bowlby Laws Colonel and Lady Edith Trotter – Charterhall Mrs Mitchell-Innes – Whitehall Mr R.C. Campbell-Renton – Mordington Colonel and Mrs Henry Rathburne Colonel Logan Home – Edrom Mrs Logan Home – Broomhouse Lady Francis Osborne – Ord House Captain Home – Bassendean The Rev. A E Swinton – Swinton House Mr J.G.G. Leadbeitter – Kelso Mrs Hotham Milnegrasden The Rev J.L. Douglas Eccles The Rev J.M. McIlvride – Leitholm Mrs Johnston – Bughtrigg Miss Burgen – Bughtrigg

Mrs Waiston – Bughtrigg Mr A.T. Elliott – Coldstream Mr J Simpson – Charterhall Mr and Miss Anderson – Bughtrigg Mr W. Smith – Langrigg Mr R.S. Kerr – Lochrig Mr G.K. Sneddon – Duns Mr and Mrs C.H. Marshall – Stainrigg Mains Mr J. Henderson – Leitholm Mr G.Jeffrie – Leitholm Mr A. Blckie – Leitholm Mr G Paterson – Leitholm Mr G. Moffat – Leitholm Mr A. Gibson – Leitholm Mr W.C. Robson – Leitholm Mr A. Middlemass – Leitholm Mr D Renton – Leitholm Mr .B. Jenkinson – Leitholm Mr J. Logan – Leitholm Mr A. H. Jenkinson – Leitholm Mr J Logan – Castlelaw Mr R Scott – Castlelaw Mr H. McDougal – Leitholm Mr W Mills – Leitholm etc etc…

WREATHS

Many and beautiful were the floral tributes laid on the grave, these being as follows:-

In loving and grateful remembrance	Reggie, Archie, Jane and Mary
With much love from her grandsons	Hugh and Bob
In kind remembrance from	Reggie
In loving remembrance of a perfect grandmother from	Will and Guy
In ever affectionate memory of Auntie Kinnie with best love from	Vera and Hew
Aunt Kinnie- in very loving memory from	Marjorie Hamilton, David and May
In most loving remembrance of our dear Aunt Kinnie, from	James, Alex and Geoffrey Bourne-May
In affectionate memory from	Fred and Lee Drake
In loving remembrance from Willie –	Rev W.J.W Marrow
With loving thoughts	Molly and Ray
With affectionate remembrance	Robert and Irene 9, Sloane Court S.W.3
In affectionate memory from	Marjorie – Mr Harcourt. Malwood Walk 9, Headfort Place S.W.1
With affectionate remembrance	Captain and Mrs Anderson, Bowerhouse
With my love	Molly and Ray
With blessings and fond love	Mrs Hunter, Antonshill
In affectionate memory from	Cdr. and Mrs Hugh Lillington, Horncliffe house
Fondest love and farewell	Alison and Peter – Mrs P.B. O’Connor
In very affectionate remembrance	General and Mrs Edward baird, Kelloe, Edron
With deepest sympathy	Brig. General and Mrs Erskine. Benkyl Lodge
In affectionate remembrance from	Brig General and Mrs Ray
In happy memory of 46 years’ friendship with Lady May of Bughtrigg	Sir Robert Hill. Army and Navy Club
With deepest sympathy from	Captain and Mrs Hugh Bowlby
With our deepest regrets and love	Mr and Mrs J. Ramsay Drake. 29 Wellington Court S.W.
In loving memory from	Gladys, Mr and Mrs Geoffrey C. Gibson. Gilston Rd. S.W.10
With very affectionate remembrance	George and Victo Nay. Sutton-on-the-Hill Derby
In kindly remembrance	Mrs Andrew Smith Mrs Andrew Smith
In loving and respectful memory of our dear Lady, thanking and honouring her for the fine example she has set.	From the Indoor and Outdoor Staff of Bughtrigg
With affectionate memory	Colonel and Lady Edith Trotter. Charterhall
In loving remembrance	Edward and Edith. 43 The Boltons S.W.
With all my love	Mrs G Gough
In grateful and loving remembrance of Lady May from	Mrs Hilson, Blackadder, Bella and Mrs Johnstone
In affectionate memory from	J.M. Greig 512 Camden Hill Gate
	From Mrs L.F. Machin. Kipling Hall Scorton Yorks
In loving remembrance from	Consie, Peter and Charles
Sincerest sympathy	Mr and Mrs Chambers
In deepest sympathy	Jack Monteith. Trinity College Cambridge
In loving memory of our dear President from	Leitholm Girl Guides and thier Captain
In kindest remembrance and deepest sympathy	Miss Tait Edenside. Kelso
In affectionate memory of many years of valued friendship	Lady Leveson, Miss Mary Leveson. 25 Hereford House North Row W.1
With deepest affection from	Admiral and Mrs Parker. Hillside Bracknell
With love	Petrina
With deepest sympathy	Mr and Mrs Fairbairn. Coldstream
From the garden she loved so dearly: In loving remembrance and deepest sympathy from	John and Kinbarra Morse
Auntie Kinnie, with love from	Gilum and Abe
With love	Johnie and Nancy. Glanton Pyke
With heartfelt sympathy from	Ellen, Annie and Wilson

The coffin was polished oak with raised lid and heavy brass mountings. The plate bore the following inscription:- Kinbarra Swene May. Born 12th September 1848 Died 24th March 1936.

The entire funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr W.C. McLaren, undertaker, Duns.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser – Tuesday 31 march 1936

THE LATE LADY MAY, OF BUGHTRIGG Respected And Beloved In The District deeply regret to announce the death of Lady May, Bughtrigg, which occurred at her residence early in the  morning of Tuesday last. Her Ladyship had been ill for about a month, but lately it was hoped that she was making progress towards recovery, and the news of her passing caused quite shock to the people o the district, in which she has resided for well nigh quarter-of-a-century, and by whom she was much respected and beloved.

Lady May’ s maiden name was Kinbarra Swene Marrow, and she was the daughter of the late Mr W. J. Marrow, Liverpool, and was born in September, 1848. Although she had entered upon her 88th year, she remained in good health and retained a considerable measure of activity up to her last illness. She was married in 1878 and with her husband, the late Admiral of the Fleet, Sir William May, celebrated her golden wedding in 1928. She frequently accompanied her husband on his Admiral’s yacht when he was on service in various parts of the world. Admiral May, who settled down at Bughtrigg, in 1913, died in 1930. To the people of Leitholm and district, Lady May was a very good friend and her memory will long be cherished for her many good deeds. The sick and the needy were her peculiar care; it had been her lifelong practice to attend to the wants of such. She gave more than material help; the personal touch, the kindly visit, the unfeigned sympathy, the cheering word of encouragement, while many instances are being recalled to-day of a characteristic practically which made her native kindness of heart all the more valuable. It would not be wide of the mark to say that charitable appeal was made to her in vain; and she gave readily and promptly. She was a liberal supporter of all clubs and associations in the district. The Girl Guides was an institution in which she took much interest, and she had been for many years President. She was a member of the Nursing Association Committee and took prominent part in the formation of the local Women’s Rural Institute in which she held the office of Hon. President. She was a devoted supporter and a regular attender of Christ Church, Duns, and contributed liberally to its funds. By her death there is removed a very fine personality, whose popularity with all classes was unbounded, and well deserved. She is survived by two sons. The elder is Lieut. Gen. Reginald Seaburne May, K.C.B. K.8.E., C.M.G., D.S.O., late G.O.C.. 49 West Riding Division T.A. York, now Quartermaster-General to the Forces at the War Office, London. The younger son is Captain Archibald Seaborne May, M.V.O., who at the present time is in Malta.  Admiral and Lady May’s only daughter died in 1921.

 

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