Preece Family Tree

Events

Families

Pedigree

1. 1. Edith Maria Weston
      1. George Deacon
         1. George William Deacon

Source References

1. Lichfield Mercury
   1. • Date: 16 June 1950
      • Page: Page 7
      • Citation:

        DEATH OF MR. GEORGE DEACON

        44 Years with Well-known Lichfield Builder

        Lichfield has lost a well-known and highly respected citizen by the death, which occurred on Saturday, in the Birmingham General Hospital, following an operation, of Mr. George Deacon of Friary Avenue.

        Deceased, who was in his 71st year, came to Lichfield about 1902 to join the firm of builders and contractors established by his late brother, Ald. J. R. Deacon, with whom he was connected until his retirement about six years ago. Mr. Deacon also assisted in the formation of another local firm and was partner in the firm of Deacon and Littleford, metal workers, Lombard Street, from its formation.

        Unlike his late brother, Mr. Deacon did not take a prominent part in the public life of the city, but he was a member from its formation of the Lichfield and District Chrysanthemum Society, giving valuable assistance at the Society's shows. His principal hobbies were gardening and poultry keeping. He is survived by a widow, one son and a daughter.

        The Funeral

        The funeral took place at St. Chad's Church on Wednesday, when the service was conducted by Preb. H. S. Cresswell, Vicar of St. Mary's. The family mourners present were: wife (Mrs. E. Deacon), son (Mr. G. W. Deacon), daughter (Miss D. I. Deacon), Ald. and Mrs. A. Deacon (Banbury) brother and sister-in-law, Mrs. G. W. Deacon (daughter-in-law), Miss M. Deacon (grand-daughter), Capt. G. A. Deacon (Godson), Lt. Col T. J. R. Deacon (nephew), Miss A. Salt (sister-in-law), Mrs. B. Deacon (Kington) sister-in-law, Capt. J. Deacon (Kington) nephew, The Mayor and Mayoress (Cllr. and Mrs. A. W. Handford) nephew and niece, Miss E. Adams (Warwick) sister-in-law, Mr. J. Sinclair, Mr. E. Wooley and Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Littleford.

        The bearers were Messrs. F. Welbourne and S. Craddock (Deacon and Littleford), G. Barnes, A. Baker, G. Deakin and T. Wakelin (J. R. Deacon, Ltd).

        Amongst those present in church were: Mr. F. E. Boardman (representing Messrs. Deacon and Boardman of Walsall), Mr. J. Wait (representing the Lichfield Chrysanthemum Society), Messrs. F. H. Gillett, J. C. Sutton, J. Salford, W. Oakley, G. Thorley, W. Walker, T. H. Walker, J. Milner and A. Nightingale (representing the office and works staff of J. R. Deacon Ltd), Mrs. J. E. Hurst (also representing Dr. J. E. Hurst), Mr. H. Colclough, Mr. T. Spencer, Mr. S. J. Brown, Miss A. A. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. E. Hatchett, Mr. and Mrs. A. Seedhouse, Mr. and Mrs. E. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Knight, Mrs. A. Cartmale, Mr. H. C. Hiskins, Mrs. J. W. Page, Mr. J. Evans, Mr. A. M. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ivison, Mr. W. Griffin, Mr. A. G. Whiting, Mr. A. Young, Mr. A. E. Barker, Mr. G. Hurd and Mr. M. T. Wichelow, etc.

        Floral Tributes

        Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the following: Widow; George and Millie; Doris and Jack; Mary and David; Arthur, Daisy and family (Banbury); Beatrice (kington); Arthur, Evelyn, John and Betty (Kington); Tony; Theo; Evelyn (Oakleigh); Arthur, Marjorie and Diana; Ernest and Ethel (Warwick); Nellie and Jinnie (Stechford); Nance (Birmingham); Ethel and Arthur (Warwick); Nellie and Charlie (Leamington); Aubrey and Bertha; Thurza, Ethel and Maud (Atherstone); Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Littleford; Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Hurst; Ted, Kay, Heather and Rosemary; Mr. and Mrs. Shufflebotham; Mr. and Mrs. Brown, Shirley and Alice; Ald. and Mrs. R. J. Nevill; President Committee and Members, Lichfield Chrysanthemum and Dahlia Society; Mr. and Mrs. H. Gilliver; J. R. Deacon Ltd., Lichfield; R. Boston and J. H. Bull; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bishop; Joiners Shop, Machinists and Fitters, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; Workmen of W.O. Maintenance Section, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; Charlotte; Mr. and Mrs. C. Maycock (Friary Avenue); Members Office Staff, J. R. Deacon Ltd.; All at Gala Fields Nursery; Mrs. Hewitt and family; Mr. and Mrs. S. Lintern and Brian; Mr. and Mrs. W. Griffin (Will and family); Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gape; Mrs. Jeffries; Nan, Jen, Ted and E. Hatchet; Lily and Norman Waine and Rhoda; Mr. and Mrs. Wichelow (Dimble House); H. Colclough; Fred, Stan, Dennis and Gerald; Deacon and Littleford; Mr. and Mrs. Sam Slater and Raymond.

        The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. F. M. and J. Wait.

   2. • Date: 23 September 1949
      • Page: Page 5
      • Citation:

        BEAUTIFUL PARCLOSE SCREEN PRESENTED TO ST. CHAD'S CHURCH

        IN MEMORY OF THE LATE ALD, J. R. DEACON

        THE memory of a former distinguished Lichfield citizen, the late Alderman Joseph Richard Deacon, was honoured at St. Chad's Church on Saturday afternoon, when a screen presented in his memory by his widow, Mrs. Evelyn Deacon, was dedicated. The dedication ceremony was performend by the Dean (Very Rev. F. A. Iremonger) and the service was conducted by the Vicar of St. Mary's (Preb. H. S. Cresswell) in the unavoidable absence, through illness, of the former Rector (Rev. R. de B. Coussmaker) and of the present Rector (Rev. D. K. Robertson).

        The Theme of the Memorial

        This memorial, which is placed across the arch leading to the tower, takes the form of a Parclose screen, and is made of English oak, having been designed by Mr. Holland W. Hobbiss, F.R.I.B.A., whilst the carving is the work of Mr. William Bloye, F.R.B.S., P.R.B.S.A. The workmanship was executed by the firm of J. R. Deacon, Ltd., of which the late Alderman was the founder. The theme of the memorial is to portray his life interests, work, worship and citizenship, and the main beam is carved to represent a number of the principal building trades, viz., carpentry, stone-masonry, bricklaying, metal working, tiling and drain laying. In the centre is a panel portraying the Pascal Lamb, and supporting the main beam are the figures of four Angels, each bearing a coat of arms, namely, the province of Canterbury, the diocese of Lichfield, the City and County of Lichfield and the National Federation of Building Trades Employers. The whole is surmounted by a statue of St. Chad holding in the right hand a model of the Cathedral and in the left hand a Bishop's crozier. In the centre of the screen, a door gives access to the tower and ringing chamber, and on the door is the following inscription: "In loving memory of Joseph Richard Deacon, Builder. Alderman and Justice of the Peace of the City and County of Lichfield. 1877-1942."

        Relatives present included the Mayor and Mayoress (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. T. Deacon (grandson), Mr. A. Deacon (grandson), Mr. G. A. Knight (nephew), Mr. G. Deacon (brother) and Mrs. Deacon, Mr. G. Deacon jun. (nephew) and Mrs. Deacon. Others present in the church included Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Hall, Ald. Miss Thompson, Ald. F. M. Tayler, the Sheriff (Cllr. F. W. C. Long), and his Lady, the Town Clerk (Mr. H. J. Callender), Cllrs. F. W. L. Salloway, C. H. Craddock, F. T. Perry, E. Moore, J. Baker, Mrs. Parker, C. W. Bridgeman, A. Nevill and Mrs. Caswell, Mrs. Handford and Miss Handford, Mr. and Mrs. F. Boardman (Walsall), Mr. H. W. Shipley (Walsall), Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Hiskins, Mr. and Mrs. T. Oswald Moseley, Mr. and Mrs. T. Cope, Mr. H. Quantrill, Mr. G. Birch, Mr. and Mrs. D. Ivison, Mr. G. Burkes (manager of Birmingham branch), Mr. T. Biddulph and Mr. H. Biddulph (Burton-on-Trent), and many others.

        Tribute to a God-fearing Man

        A striking tribute to the late Alderman was paid in an address by Preb. Cresswell, who said in the service of dedication of that screen, in which they had been taking part, there were two aspects of a memorial. The first was that it was offered for service of God and for the adornment of His house, and the second was that it formed a link with those they had known and loved. Those who worshipped in that church would come and look at the screen and see a thing of beauty. There was the unbroken link of a man who lived amongst them and whom they loved with deep and abiding respect.

        Continuing, Preb. Cresswell said among the many qualities to be represented in a Christian life in its fullness, St. Paul had said: "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." He (the speaker) did not think in his many experiences of business men, he had ever known a man to whom that phrase could be so strictly applied. He had known the late Alderman for forty years and was one of the first men he met in the city when he came there first, turning to him to help to solve what was then, and will be for many years, the problem of where he should live. He would not forget the kindness which deceased extended and the sympathy on that occasion. It was the sympathy and the kindness which he maintained all through his life. He came to Lichfield in quite a modest way and started quite a small business in Lombard Street, where the main part of the Lichfield works still was, and his reputation of pressing on and concentrating with the job on hand spread very quickly. He was reliable and he gave a personal oversight to all building entrusted to him. When most men felt perfectly free to claim their leisure after working hours, he was to be found in that office in Lombard Street until the small hours of the morning considering the work of the next day, so that by his careful consideration and calculation, he was able to undertake as his business extended, works running into six figures. Perhaps one of the most attractive things he did produce as a builder, was the re-building of the King Edward School in Birmingham.

        Ald. Deacon was among those who recognised the claims and responsibilities of the citizens and from the moment he was urged to take on public life in the city as a member of the City Council, until the day of his death, he never failed to give of his very best in the service of the community in which he lived. Whatever he undertook, whether it was for public good or not, or in the many instances of private philanthropy, he was fervent in spirit. Of all the men he knew, Ald. Deacon was singularly modest and always conscious of God's claim upon him. He was indeed a God fearing man and in that Church he worshipped for the longest part of his stay in Lichfield. God grant to them an inspiration to follow him and that whatever they did they would do it as heartily as he did to the Glory of God.

   3. • Date: 16 January 1942
      • Page: Page 7
      • Citation:

        LICHFIELD MOURNS A BELOVED CITIZEN

        DEATH OF ALD. J. R. DEACON, J.P.

        Former Mayor and City's Largest Employer of Labour

        "HIS CHIEF OBJECT IN LIFE WAS TO HELP OTHERS"

        CIVIC COLLEAGUES' GLOWING TRIBUTES

        IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL GATHERING

        LICHFIELD has experienced a sad loss by the death of its largest employer of labour, Alderman J. R. Deacon, which took place at his residence, "Oakleigh," St. Chad's Road, on Sunday morning. Alderman Deacon, who was 64 years of age, had only been confined to his bed for about a week, and his passing will be received with regret by everyone who knew him, especially by his employees, by whom he was held in the utmost regard and esteem by virtue of his unfailing fairness and unbounded considerstion and generosity.

        SOME IMPORTANT CONTRACTS

        Alderman Deacon was a native of Leicestershire and came to reside in Lichfield in 1897. Four years later he commenced business in the city as a builder and contractor, and since that time he has not only carried out many important contracts in Lichfield and neighbourhood, but his activities have extended much farther afield, especially in recent years. One of his largest contracts was that of the new King Edward's High School in Bristol Road, Birmingham, for which the original coptract price was £176,782. He was also the builder of the attractive business premises of Parker, Winder and Achurch in Broad Street, Birmingham, the Edgbaston Assembly Rooms, the Children's Hospital at Ladywood, Sutton Roman Catholic Church, Nuneaton Roman Catholic Church, and many churches in the Birmingham area.

        In Lichfield itself, Alderman Deacon has been responsible for the erection of numerous private properties in the city and the development of several building estates; in fact, it might be said without the slightest fear of contradiction that the large number of modern houses of the villa type which the city now possesses owe their existence to Alderman Deacon's initiative and business enterprise. He has in all probability done more than any other individual person to increase the rateable value of the city. In many instances the development of Lichfield has been carried out on the outskirts of the city, and not infrequently the citizens have been the gainers in another direction in that, by giving up land from time to time, Alderrhan Deacon enabled the Corporation to carry out much-needed street-widening schemes. He was keenly interested in the Lichfield Victoria Hospital and was not only responsible for the erection of the Hospital's present up-to-date buildings, but also the recent addition of the very modern Maternity Block.

        AN EX-MAYOR AND SHERIFF

        Alderman Deacon entered the City Council as one of the representatives of the North Ward in 1908 and he has served on practically all the committees. He occupied the position of Sheriff in 1916-17 and that of Mayor in 1920-21, being elected an alderman in 1933. In 1923 he was made a Justice of the Peace for the city. He was an elected member the Conduit Lands Trust, a representative on the Lichfield Municipal Charities and Hinton's Charity, and a member of the following committees: Estates and General Purposes, Health, Housing, and Rating and Valuation.

        He was a past president of the Lichfield Chamber of Trade and an active member of the Lichfield Development Committee, which formerly functioned with the primary object of securing the introduction of new industries to the city. He was also a director of the Lichfield Foundry Ltd., in Sandford Street. For a number of years he was a sidesman at St. Chad's Church and for five years he filled the office of people's warden. Alderman Deacon was a member of St. John's Lodge of Freemasons, St. John's Chapter and St. Chad's Rose Croix Chapter.

        In 1903 Alderman Deacon married the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Knight, of Newbold, Leicestershire, and he leaves his widow and one daughter, to whom the utmost sympathy is extended.

        THE FUNERAL

        Crowded Congregation at St. Chad's Church

        It is doubtful if the present generation in Lichfield has seen a more striking tribute to the personality and memory of one of its citizens than that which was paid to the late Alderman Deacon at his funeral at St. Chad's Church, Lichfield, on Wednesday. The old church, which he loved to attend and serve, was not large enough to comfortably accommodate all who desired to pay their last respects to the deceased, and no report could give an accurate impression to those unable to be present of the varied sections of the community represented in that impressive farewell gathering, which included quite two hundred employees of the firm of J. R. Deacon, Ltd.

        The service was conducted by the Very Rev. the Dean, the Rector of St. Chad's (the Rev. R. de B. Coussmaker) and the Vicar of St. Mary's (Preb. H. S. Cresswell, R.D., who also represented the Bishop).

        Mr. R. Earl presided at the organ, and, led by the full choir, the congregation sang the well-known hymns, "Abide with me" and "Rock of Ages," together with the Psalm "I will lift up mine eyes"; the service, marked by a reverence and simplicity befitting the one whom all had in mind, concluding appropriately with the rendering of the Nunc Dimittis: "Lord, now lettest Thy servent depart in peace."

        Six employees, Messrs. G. Gotheridge, T. Wakelin, G. Barnes, G. Bayliss, W. Turner and W. Clews, acted as bearers.

        The family mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Handford (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. Theo Deacon and Mr. Tony Deacon (grandsons); Mr. and Mrs. G. Deacon (brother and sister-in-law); Mr. E. Deacon (brother, Kington, Hereford), Mr. A. Deacon (brother, Banbury), Mr. J. Knight (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. G. Knight (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. G. Deacon, jnr. (nephew and niece), Miss Doris Deacon (niece), Major J. Stokes, Mr. and Mrs. F. Boardman, Mr. and Mrs. S. Handford, Mr. S. Handford, Miss M. Handford, Mr. Joe Smith, Mrs. Sneyd (Charlotte) and Mrs. Skeffington.

        The Mayor and Corporation attended in civic state and were escorted to the church by the local members of the National Fire Service under the command of Chief Officer A. Jones, and a detachment of Special Constabulary under Vice-Commandant N. W. Andrews. Accompanying the Mayor (Councillor C. H. Averill) were the Sheriff (Councillor W. F. L. Salloway), the Mayor's Chaplain (Prebendary P. Howard), the Town Clerk (Mr. A. N. Ballard), Aldermen H. G. Hall, F. Garratt, J. H. Bridgman and Mrs. Stuart Shaw, Councillors F. M. Tayler, T. Moseley, R. J. Nevill, F. E. Collins, F. Halfpenny, F. G. Mantle, C. H. Craddock, F. T. Perry, J. Haworth and F. Williams, Councillor E. Matthews (Hammerwich), Councillask Frank Foster (Whittington), and Mr. F. Thompson (Postmaster).

        The St. John's Lodge, St. John's Chapter and St. Chad's Rose Croix Chapter were represented by the following: Brothers H. Davis, R. J. Cook, K Parker. J. S. Brown, C. C. Leach, G. T. Taylor, C. W. Gifford Inge, W. H. Treadgold, W. F. Russell, C. H. Thurston, T. H. Shilcock, H. Sanders, W. Jeffries, J. A. Harrison, H. Newton, A. Pearson, H. Todd, R. Briggs, W. Fewtrill, A. Hodkinson, T. W. Biddulph, H. Q. Biddulph, W. Rutherford, J. Bridgeman, S. Lintern, together with W. Scott, C. Bateman and E. M. Marriner (Visiting Brethren).

        Others present in church were: Bros. Rev. E. T. Sidwell and S. T. Isham (St. Augustine's Lodge, Rugeley), Mr. A. Wootton (chief clerk), Mr. E. Woolley (accountant), Mr. C. T. Wigham, Mr. W. E. Pead and Mrs. Hodson (Lichfield City magistrates), Mr. M. H. Hunt (magistrates' clerk), Superintendent H. Jones, Mr. F. D. Winterton (and representing Ald. H. J. C. Winterton), Mrs. E. M. Heath, Dr. T. D. Stuart Shaw and Mr. H. Webb (Lichfield Victoria Hospital), Colonel O. H. Mason (Burton-on-Trent), Mr. F. Shrubsole (National Provincial Bank), Mr. Charles Manton (Walsall), Mr. H. Busill Jones and Mr. T. Gwinnett (Walsall Co-operative Society), Mr. R. Jeffries (Walsall), Mr. H. W. Shipley (representing Ansell's Brewery, Ltd. and Holt Brewery, Ltd.), Mr. C. R. Bailey, Mr. H. C. Higgins, Mr. R. J. Barnes, Mr. G. Tipper, Mr. F. J. Hall, Messrs. Smith and Parker, Mr. F. G. Worthington, Mr. G. S. Russell, Mr. A. G. Whiting, Mr. B. Andrews, Messrs. W. F. C. Long and B. Bedington (Lichfield Chamber of Trade), Mr. F. H. Carter (Birmingham), Mr. G. E. Bagnall (Birmingham), Mr. G. Birch, Mrs. Stokes (Knowle Hurst), Mr. A. Devey (Shenstone), Mr. H. W. Hobbiss (Birmingham), Mr. C. C. Gray (Birmingham), the Rev. H. L Muriel, Mr. H. F. Bather, Mr. and Mrs. W. Kendrick (Walsall), Mr. R. S. Streather (Sutton Coldfield), Dr. F. W. Marshall, Dr. A. W. Vaisey, Mr. C. Bridgeman, Messrs. C. W. Bell and C. R. B. Brown (Tuke and Bells Ltd., and Lichfield Foundary Ltd.), Mr. G. Bird, Mr. W. Frost (representing Mr. G. J. Murray Atkins), Mr. R. Burns (representing George Elvin and Sons and Selfield Cinemas), Messrs. F. C. and D. A. Hewes (representing Barton Cement Co.), Mr. O. A. Wainwright (Birmingham), Mr. J. H. Jones (Birmingham), Mr. F. R. Pennell (Birmingham), Messrs. C. H. Riley and M. Watkiss (Hinckley Building Society), Mr. G. H. Burks (Birmingham), Mr. T. W. Biddulph (Burton-on-Trent), Mrs. P. A. Benn (Grantham), Mr. J. E. Bishop, Mr. A. W. Thorpe (Lichfield Charity Cup and Lichfield Football League), Mr. A. P. Green (Lichfield Foundry Ltd.), Mr. A. R. Gee (Lichfield Gas Co.), Mr. R. A. R. Benn (godson) (and representing Captain G. K. Benn, R.E.), Rev. H. F. Napier, Mr. J. W. Massey (Birmingham), Mr. John Massey (Birmingham), Mr. and Mrs. Shufflebotham, Mr. Carter (N. W. Weedon and Partners), Mr. Jones (Peter King and Co.), Mr. H. S. Willington (Walsall Technical College), Mr. and Mrs. Noel Boardman, Mr. W. Bond, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Arthur, Mrs. Ballard, Father de Capitain (Sutton Coldfield), Mr. G. Mytton (Lichfield City Institute), Mr. Kitchen (Parker, Winder and Achurch), Mr. Ordway (J. R. Lea and Co.), and many others.

        FLORAL TRIBUTES

        The beautiful floral tributes, numbering over 130, were from the following:- The Widow; Marjorie and Arthur (daughter and son-in-law); George, Edith and Doris (Friary Avenue); Ernest and Beatrice (Kington); Evelyn and Arthur (Leominster); George, Jessie, Evelyn; Employees of King Edward School; the Directors, H. L. Jones and Staff of Parker, Winder and Achurch, Ltd.; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Ivison and Jack; Hiskins Bros.; Holland W. and Major Hobbiss; Major M. Farlane; Mr. and Mrs. Skeffington; Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Pennell; George, Millicent and Mary; Aubury; Mr. and Mrs. Handford (Overstowe); Boardman and Family (Walsall); Alderman and Mrs. Hall; Mr. D. and Mr. Walter W. Webb; Charlotte; Daisy and Arthur (Banbury); F. Connie Son and Family; Joe, Lizzie and Family; Oswald N. Mason; Nellie, Tom and Eric; the Choir and Sexton of St. Chad's; Harry W. Weedon and Partners; Lichfield City Magistrates and Clerk; Mr. and Mrs. A. Seedhouse; Employees, Ash Road; Members of St. Chad's Rose Croix Lodge; St. Chad's Parochial Church Council; St. Chad's Sick and Benefit Club; Alice and John Leese; Clifford and John Atkins; Employees, Hammerwich; Superintendent and Mrs: Jones (Court House); Employees Deacon and Boardman; Mr. and Mrs. Gotheridge and Employees Fradley and Fauld; Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Bayliss and Dorothy; George Holmes and Workmen, Chatwood; Lichfield Plumbers' Association; Fawcett (Longdon Hall); Directors of Deacon and Boardman; Mr. and Mrs. I A. Hollinshead; Mrs. Davis and Family; Masefield and Reynolds, King's Bromley; Lichfield Staff of Painters; William Basham and William Barker; Alderman and Mrs. Garratt and Family; Employees at Coventry; Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Littleford; Employees at Aldridge; Works Lorry Drivers; Deacon's Office Staff; Committee of Lichfield City Institute; Alderman and Mrs. J. H. Bridgeman; The Mayor, Sheriff, Aldermen, Councillors and Officials of the City of Lichfield; Workmen at Ashby and Market Bosworth; Directors and Management of Regal Cinema, Lichfield; Sam and Mrs. J. S. Brown; Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Barnes and Family; J. Thorneloe and Sons, Lichfield; Directors Lichfield Foundry; Mrs. S. Heath, Angorfa, Walsall Road; Staff and Employees Lichfield Foundry; A. Devey, Shenstone; Messrs., Cross and Cross; Albertaßarker; Mr. and Mrs. S. Slater and Ray; Whittaker and Sons, Lichfield; Mrs. W. B. Littler; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bishop; Works Apprentices; Fred and Donald Hewes; Directors of R. M. Douglas, Ltd.; Mr. and Mrs. Oakley; From the Bottom Shop and Mill Hands; Mr. and Mrs. A. Cartmale, St. Chad's Road; Shenstone Workmen; J. H. Llewellyn; Directors and Manager Hinckley and Coventry Building Society; Birmingham Employees; St. John's Lodge of Freemasons; Rowe Bros. Company, Birmingham; Joe and Winnie; Mr. and Mre. F. Hodson and Ted; Cissie and Conrad Leach; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Weedon; John Salford; Employees F. W. Biddulph; Charles . Manton and Sons, Walsall; Companions of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter of St. John 1039; Lichfield Laundry, Ltd.; Rev. and Mrs. Coussmaker and Chaddy; Noel, Olive and Baby Boardman; Mr. Isham (Shenstone); Mr. and Mrs. Shrubs°le, National Bank; Joiners of the Top Shop; Mr. and Mrs. W. Griffin; Walsall and District Co-operative Society; Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Boardman; William Kentish; Mr. and Mrs. Shipley; Mr. and Mrs. T. Cook; Albert. H. Wootton; Superintendent H. Jones and Members of the Lichfield Police Division; Will Turner and Family; Walsall Building Guild; Ansell's Brewery, Ltd.,; Holt's Brewery; Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Benn and George Benn; Members of the Lichfield Chamber of Trade; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Lintern; J. W. Shaw, Walsall; Roper Benn; Walsall Master Builders' Association; Mrs. and Miss Macdonald; Mrs. Boston; The Longmore Family; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Shufflebotham and Mrs. S. Shufflebotham; Committee and Staff Lichfield Victoria Hospital; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bagnall; Trustees Lichfield Conduit Lands; T. W. B.; Mr. 7. Wood Massey; The Staff of Deacon and Boardman, Ltd.; All at Harlequin; Misses Austin; Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Burkes.

        The arrangements for the funeral were in the hands of Messrs. F. M. and J. Wait, Lichfield.

2. Rugeley Times
   1. • Date: 24 September 1949
      • Page: Page 5
      • Citation:

        Dedication Of Memorial Screen

        THE LATE ALDERMAN J. R. DEACON

        THERE was a crowded congregation at St. Chad's Church, Lichfield, on Saturday afternoon for an impressive service of dedication of an oak screen which has been presented by Mrs. E. Deacon, in memory of her husband, Alderman Joseph Richard Deacon, J.P., in whose memory a fine eulogy was given by Prebendary H. S. Cresswell, M.A.

        The ceremony of dedication was performed by the Dean (Dr. F. A. Iremonger).

        The screen is a splendid example of the designer's art and carpenter's craftsmanship and is indeed a fine addition to the interior of the church. The screen is placed near the bell-chamber - one of the bells there being one of the very oldest in the country.

        The Memorial, which is placed across the arch leading to the tower, takes the form of a Parclose Screen.

        The main beam is carved to represent a number of the principal building trades, namely Carpentry, metal working, Stonemasonry, tiling, brick-laying, drain laying. In the centre is a panel portraying the Paschal Lamb.

        Supporting the main beam are the figures of four Angels, each bearing a Coat of Arms, namely: The Province of Canterbury, The Diocese of Lichfield, The City and County of Lichfield, The National Federation of Building Trades' Employers.

        The whole is surmounted by a statue of St. Chad, holding in the right hand a model of the Cathedral, and in the left hand a Bishop's Crosier.

        In the centre of the Screen, a door gives access to the tower and ringing chamber, and on the door is the following inscription :-

        "In loving memory of Joseph Richard Deacon, Builder, Alderman, and Justice of the Peace of the City and County of Lichfield. 1877-1942."

        The theme of the Memorial is to portray his life interests: work, worship and citizenship.

        OF ENGLISH OAK

        The Screen is made of English oak, and has been designed by Mr. Holland W. Hobbiss, F.R.I.B.A.

        The carving is the work of Mr. William Bloye, F.R.B.S., P.R.B.S.A.

        The Memorial has been made and erected by J. R. Deacon, Ltd., the firm of which the late Alderman Deacon was the founder.

        The Mayoress (Mrs. A. W. Handford) deputised for her mother, Mrs. Deacon, and was accompanied by the Mayor (Councillor A. W. Handford), Major T. J. R. (Theo) Deacon and Captain G. A. (Tony) Deacon, grandsons of the late Alderman Deacon; and Diana (daughter of the Mayor and Mayoress). There were present Mrs. M. J. Handford (mother of the Mayor), Mr. George Deacon (brother of the late Alderman Deacon) and Mrs. Deacon; Mr. and Mrs. George Deacon, Junr., and daughter; Mr. G. A. Knight (nephew), and Mrs. Knight, of Walsall; Mr. and Mrs. F. Boardman (of Messrs. Deacon and Boardman, Ltd., Walsall); Mr. and Mrs. Noel Boardman (Walsall).

        Amongst the congregation were the Sheriff and his Lady (Counsillor and Mrs. F. W. Long); members of the City Council; Alderman L. G. Hall, C.C., Mr. and Mrs. E. Woolley, Mr. H. W. Shipley (architect); Mr. G. Burkes (Birmingham manager of the firm) and Mrs. Burkes; officials and employees of the firm.

        For many years Alderman Deacon was a churchwarden at St. Chad's Church.

        The hymns "O Holy Spirit, Lord of Grace" and "Lead, Kindly Light" were sung, and subsequent ot the service of dedication "Now thank we all our God."

        FINE EULOGY

        Prebendary H. S. Cresswell referred to the absence through illness of the former Rector of S. Chat's (Mr. Coussmaker) and the Rector (the Rev. D. K. Robertson), and he was deputising in a sense for both.

        Prebendary Cresswell said: "In this service of dedication of the screen we realise at once that there are two aspects of the dedication: the first that it is offered for the service of God and for the adornment of His house; the second that it ties the links with others we have both known and loved and lived among us with a kind of attachment with the Church they worshipped at and have supported.

        "Many people coming into this church will look at that screen and see it a thing of beauty which it is - they see in it concentration of thought of the designer and execution of craftsmanship and the fine material of which it is made; they will go away thinking it is part of the fabric of this church; but to others who are here it is an unbroken link with a man who lived his life amongst us and was loved with a deep and abiding respect.

        "Amongst the qualities which represent the Christian life in its fullness, St. Paul uses these three phrases: 'Not sloth in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.'

        "I do not think in my long experience I have ever known a man to whom this first phrase could be so strictly applied. I had known him for the greater part of my own life, 40 years or more, he was one of the first men I met in this city. I shall not forget the kindness he extended to me on that occasion, a kindness which he maintained all through his life."

        "His reputation for personal care and concentration upon the job in hand spread very quickly. He was reliable, material he used were selected with care and precision. He himself gave constant personal oversight to all the building entrusted to him, and when most men felt free to claim their leisure after working hours of the day he was to be found in that office in Lombard Street in the small hours of the morning, considering work of the next day, probably going through bills of quantities and specifications so that by his careful consideration and calculation he was able to undertake as his business extended contracts running into six figures. Of many things he has produced as a builder, perhaps one of the most attractive of the all and one which gave him personal pride was rebuilding the King Edward School in Birmingham, and I can well remember how he took me to the timber yard to see some of the prepared timber which was to be erected in the large assembly hall in that new school.

        SCRUPULOUS CARE

        "Nor was he without care to be scrupulous in all his transactions. One has never heard a breath of suggestion that any action of his was without complete integrity and honesty. But after all great as his attainments were as a business man it merely represents one phase of his character and life. It may have been a dominant part of his life - but it was perhaps the expression in practical form of what the man really was and for that we should have to look further and see the principle of his whole life.

        A busy man as Joseph Richard Deacon was, he was among those who recognise the claims and responsibilities of the citizens and from the moment he was first urged to undertake public work in the city as a member of the Council, unto the day of his death, he never failed to give of his very best in the service of the community in which he lived. He was 'fervent in spirit' and in whatever he undertook whether in the public good, or whether, as I knew him so well, in so many instances of private philanthropy, he was 'fervent in spirit,' typical of the best Christian teaching.

        "Then we turn to that which to me is most essential of them all. He was always conscious of God's claim upon him. He was indeed a God-fearing man. I have had many talks with him, both in his house and in his office and there was always borne in upon me, here is a man whose Christianity is not upon his sleeve.

        "Here in this church he worshipped for the longest part of his stay in Lichfield. He often spoke to me of very happy memories of the parish of St. Mary's, when he attended that church."

        At the conclusion of the service the hymn "For the beauty of the earth" was sung.

3. General Register Office: England & Wales Marriage Index
4. Maiden name on child's birth index record