Monument to George Kenneth Vansittart Neale, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.
"In loving memory of George Kenneth only son of Henry and Florence Vansittart Neale of Bisham Abbey who died at Eton College October 1st 1904 aged 14 years - O God thou art my God. Early I will seek thee - Those that seek Me early shall find Me."
George Kenneth Vansittart Neale was born in Marylebone London in 1890 to Sir Henry James Vansittart Neale K.C.B (Knight Commander order of the Bath), a principle clerk in the admiralty, and his wife Florence Eddis.
On the 1891 Census, nine-month-old George can be found living at his Grandmother Frances's home along with his aunt, mother, father and elder sister Phyllis, in Bisham Abbey Estate.
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By 1901, ten-year-old George is a boarding student at Stone House College in St Peter's Kent.
Sadly, just three years after the census was taken, on 1st October 1904, young George was to die after an unsuccessful operation for appendicitis.
The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 12th October 1904:
"BISHAM.
DEATH OF MASTER KENNETH VANSITTART NEALE.— It is with much regret that we record the death of George Kenneth Vansittart Neale, only son of Sir H. J. Vansittart Neale, K.C.8., of Bisham Abbey, who died at Eton College on Tuesday afternoon. The news of the early decease of Master Neale has cast a deep gloom over the village, and both in Bisham and Marlow the very deepest sympathy is felt for Sir Henry and Lady Neale in their terrible bereavement. Mr. George Neale was only 14 years of age. He was entered at Eton a year ago at Radcliffe's house. He quickly made his mark both ill school work and play. He figured in the House football team, and his bright and happy disposition made him very popular with his fellow scholars. His work in the School was so good that he reached the Fifth Form very quickly, and he was regarded by his tutors as one of the most promising scholars at Eton. Mr. Neale returned to Eton for the present term about fortnight ago, apparently in good health. He was suddenly taken ill, and it was found that he was suffering from that dread disease, appendicitis. An operation was decided on, but it was too late to save his life, and he passed away on Tuesday afternoon in the presence of his devoted parents. Mr. George Kenneth Neale was an only son, and was the heir to the historic mansion known as Bisham Abbey, and the large estates which adjoin the ancient Abbey. The funeral took place at Bisham Church on Saturday, amid many manifestations of sorrow and sympathy."
George's parents were so distraught at his sudden loss that they commissioned a marble monument to be carved by George Frederick Morris Harding and placed inside All Saints Church in Bisham, Berkshire.
The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on the occasion on December 19th 1908 -
"Memorial to an Eton Boy.
The Bishop of Oxford unveiled a memorial in Bisham Church to George Kenneth Vansittart Neale, the only son of Sir Henry James Vansittart Neale K.C.B of Bisham Abbey, who died of appendicitis four years ago at Eton. The memorial is the work of Mr. Morris Harding, a young sculptor, who is as yet unknown to fame, but who has here given proof of rare talent in the design as well as its execution. The figure of the boy is seen kneeling on a cushion, his arms folding hands resting on a Pre-Dieu, the whole set in a flamboyant Gothic niche with trefoil arches."
The above picture, copyright of Robert Freidus, is reproduced curtesy of The Victorian Web.
There is also a stained-glass window in Bisham Church dedicated to George.
George's parents were so distraught at his sudden loss that they commissioned a marble monument to be carved by George Frederick Morris Harding and placed inside All Saints Church in Bisham, Berkshire.
The Slough, Eton and Windsor Observer reported on the occasion on December 19th 1908 -
"Memorial to an Eton Boy.
The Bishop of Oxford unveiled a memorial in Bisham Church to George Kenneth Vansittart Neale, the only son of Sir Henry James Vansittart Neale K.C.B of Bisham Abbey, who died of appendicitis four years ago at Eton. The memorial is the work of Mr. Morris Harding, a young sculptor, who is as yet unknown to fame, but who has here given proof of rare talent in the design as well as its execution. The figure of the boy is seen kneeling on a cushion, his arms folding hands resting on a Pre-Dieu, the whole set in a flamboyant Gothic niche with trefoil arches."
The above picture, copyright of Robert Freidus, is reproduced curtesy of The Victorian Web.
There is also a stained-glass window in Bisham Church dedicated to George.
My son had appendicitis and ended up in Hospital where they were found to have burst but he is ok now back then it was fatal. Seeing how my wife was at the time it must have been awfull for those poor parents.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that he died away from home must have made their anguish worse.
DeleteMy grandfather, Lewis Grant (1881-1975), was at Eton with Robert Vansittart. In those days it was a pretty tough and uncomfortable place: cold showers, etc. It's quite likely that the illness would have gone undiagnosed for some time. Boys were expected not to complain.
ReplyDelete