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Rev. Anthony Collett - Obituary 1924

13 December 1924 Kentish Express - Stop Press: Rev. A Colletts Sudden Death The Rev. Anthony Collet aged 89, was found dead in the bath at his Canterbury residence yesterday. At the inquest a verdict of Natural Causes was returned. The reverend gentleman was formerly Curate at St Marys Dover, Rector of Hastingleigh and Vicar of Bredhurst. 20 December 1924 Kentish Express: The Rev. A. Colletts Tragic Death -FUNERAL AT ELMSTED- As briefly announced in our last issue, the Rev. A. Collett M.A. of Ellerslie, New Dover Rd., Canterbury was found dead under tragic circumstances at his residence on Thursday week. The deceased gentleman who was 89 years of age, was apparently in his usual health considering his advanced years and had walked in to the town with Miss Blofield who was staying with him. They subsequently had dinner and prayers and after saying Good Night, Mr Collett w ent to his bath. About midnight Miss Wilson, a maid, not having heard Mr Collett leave the bath room, became anxious, woke up the other maid and they went to the house keepers room. The house keeper receiving no response to her knock at the door, called Miss Blofield, who called in Mr Simmons living near. He, bursting open the door, found Mr Collett lying face downwards in the bath with his head covered with water. The bath was emptied, the deceased gentleman removed, and Dr Stewart Wacher sent for, who on arrival found that death had taken place an hour or so earlier. At the inquest at which a verdict of Death by Natural Causes was returned. Dr. Wacher said death might have been due to accidental drowning or a heart attack before falling in to the water. He had attended Mr Collett for the past 3 years for giddiness due to weak heart action.

The late Mr Collett, who was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and ordained in 1859, had spent the whole of his active ministry (over 47years) in Kent. He was Curate of St Marys Dover until 1874, Curate of Hastingleigh with Elmsted 1874-1880, Rector of Hastingleigh with Elmsted 1880-1895 and Vicar of Bredhurst 1895-1906. Since his retirement he had resided at Canterbury, where he had frequently assisted at church services. He was a member of several Societies and took a keen interest in the Kent and Canterbury Hospital and other charitable institutions; he was highly respected and beloved by many. During the time he was at Elmsted the reverend gentleman was instrumental in carrying out many much needed improvements to the churches. In the years 1877 and 1879 both the Elmsted and Hastingleigh churches were completely restored and re-seated, and later a new organ was installed at Elmsted. Mr Collett was responsible for the erection of the new Vicarage at Elmsted [at Bodsham] and presented the village with the splendid Parish Hall [see Parish Room, Tamley Lane Hastingleigh].

The funeral took place on Monday at the little church on the hill at Elmsted. The service which was of a very simple nature as befitted a man of such un-ostentatious character, was conducted by the Rev.H Hammond of Elmsted and the Rev. G.C. Clairmonte of Petham. The hymn On the Resurrection Morning was sung and as the cortege left the church for the graveside Miss Hayward, [Emily Hayward] the organist played the Dead March in Saul. The coffin was of plain unpolished oak, with a small brass plate and a large wooden cross on the cover. The immediate followers were Mr and Mrs Hamman, Mrs J Harvey, Mr JD Harvey, Miss Blofield, Mr and Mrs Collett-Mason, Mr and Mrs J Reeves and the household servants, while those present in church and at the graveside included Colonel Irby, Messrs CF Tappenden[Cubison Tapenden] ,S Hopkins, J Taylor, W Wetherell [school master of Bodsham] , and H Hopkins, the Misses Kirke-Smith, Mrs Spicer and Mrs M Hopkins. Floral tributes were received from Mr and Mrs Reginal Collett; Tony and Bernard: LCAJ and MC Blofield; Mr JS and Mr JD Harvey; Mr and Mrs FM Furley and Mr Walter Furley; Mrs CH Wilkie; Mrs Rogers; Misses Helen and Catherine Collett; Mr and Mrs Collett-Mason; Miss Upton, AH Garnon-Williams and Lottie; GJ Thompson; Mr and Mrs Reeves; Mr Ley; Mr and Mrs PJ Hannam; Ellen and Winifred, the housekeeper; managers of St Pauls Church Schools; Samaritans Committee of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital; scholars and teachers of St Pauls School, Canterbury. At the same hour a short service was held at St Alphege church, Canterbury where the late Mr Collett was a regular worshipper. The Rev. AA Carter (Rector) officiated, and the lesson was read by the Rural Dean (the Rev EL Ridge). Among those present were the following ladies of the Samaritan Fund Committee of the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Mrs GKA Bell (president) Mrs EL Holland, Mrs Brunker, Mrs Williams, Mrs Rogers, and Miss Edwards. Others present included Admiral Sir R Henderson and Lady Henderson, with Admiral Sir W Henderson. Canon TG Gardiner, Rev. JT Hales, Rev. JG Kemp, Rev. CH Barton, Miss Wilkie, Miss Blomfield, Mrs Graham Wills, Mrs RG Hodgson, Mrs Skinner, Mr FP Carroll (secretary Kent and Canterbury Hospital), Miss Purchas (matron at Kent and Canterbury Hospital) Mr TA Bowen, Mr R Stanbridge and others.

Rev. Collets elder sister Maria is buried in the top left grave partially appearing in the photo, his sister Frances Ellen is the lower of the two crosses,
and Rev. Collett is to the right of the picture. Under the shade of an ancient Yew tree to the left of the main entrance to Elmsted St James church.

Collett Close, in Bodsham Hamlet, Elmsted is named in his honour.