The Military in Banbury – Route March to Edgehill

On Friday the Essex Regiment had a route march to Edgehill starting from Banbury with the drum and fife band just after 9.00am. A large number of people were in the Horse Fair and High Street to see the troops depart. Colonel Stockton accompanied the other mounted officers, and at Edgehill explained the positions of the contending armies at the battle of Edgehill, which were afterwards communicated to the men. The first halt was near Upton House and from there the troops afterwards engaged in movements in extended order along the ridge of the hill to Warmington, returning by the Warwick Road to Banbury.

Banbury Guardian, February 1915

Death of Captain Edward Ambrose Holbech, R.N.

We regret to announce the death of Captain Edward Ambrose Holbech, R.N., the second son of the late Ven. Archdeacon Holbech, of Farnborough Hall, which took place at his residence, Lillington, Rodwell, Weymouth, on Monday, the 18th.

The deceased was well-known in the Banbury neighbourhood many years ago. He served in the Royal Navy for about twenty-five years, but retired in 1891. He resided for several years in the neighbourhood of Stratford-on-Avon, but for the last few years he has resided at Weymouth. He married Miss Gresley, and leaves a son and two daughters. He took much interest in the Royal Hospital at Weymouth, and did much excellent work for the institution, being chairman of the Finance Committee. He was sixty-eight years of age. He had been in failing health for some time, but the end came somewhat unexpectedly.

The funeral took place at Wyke Regis on Wednesday week at two o’clock. The coffin, which was wheeled to the church on a bier, was covered by the Union Jack, and the deceased’s sword would have been placed on it, but by a striking coincidence it had been lent by Captain Holbech to a naval officer now serving at the front. The mourners were:- Mrs Holbech (widow), Mr R.A. Holbech (son), Miss Holbech and Miss D. Holbech (daughters), Admiral Gresley, Mr W.N. Gresley, the Rev. Hugh Holbech, Mr R.H.A. Holbech, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Payne Gallwey, Mrs Parry, Mr and Mrs McGowan, Major H. Cartwright, Nurse Edwards, and Mrs Jackson. Captain Fyler and Commander Dundas also attended the funeral, and there were present in the church the Misses Pennefather, General Atkinson, the Rev. E.A. Trasenster, and Mr A.H. Tucker. The officiating clergy were the Revs. E.J.L.B. Henslowe and H. Hasluck. The coffin, which was of English oak, bore the inscription:-

EDWARD AMBROSE HOLBECH,

Late Captain, R.N.,

Died January 18th, 1915

Aged 68 years.

There were many beautiful floral tributes, which came from the following:- “Mother,” Joyce, Dick and Daisy; Mary Holbech and Ronald Holbech, Farnborough (from his old home); Queenie, Daisy and Willie; George and Rose McGowan; Lily and Christopher; from an old shipmate; Captain and Mrs Fyler; Commander and Mrs Dundas and Flossie; Mrs Parry; Mr and Mrs Hervey; the Misses Pennefather; Miss Cartwright.

Banbury Guardian January 1915