DEATH OF MR. J.B. SHILCOCK

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Bourne's First 'Mayor"

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LONG RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE

The death ocurred at "The Terrace" North Street, Bourne, on Tuesday evening, of Mr. John Baxter Shilcock, at the age of 77 years. A fortnight ago the deceased had a stroke, and although he appeared to be getting on nicely for a time, he became gradually worse, and passed away as stated.

The late Mr. Shilcock was a well known figure in the town, and for about 25 years kept the "Nag's Head" Hotel, removing from there almost two years ago.

He was the first Chairman of the Bourne Parish Council in 1894, and also the first Chairman of the Bourne Urban Council in 1899. In 1924 he severed his connection with the Council after having been a member of that authority since its formation, and being the only original member left at the time he resigned.

During the exceptionally long period when he was a member, Mr. Shilcock was re-elected on several occasions without a contest. He was a strong-though by no means bigoted-Churchman, and was a churchwarden for several years.

He leaves a widow and five daughters-Mrs. Bolton(Horncastle), Mrs T.W.Mays(Bourne), Mrs Deloe(London), Mrs Wiggin(Skegness), and Mrs H.A.Twell(Bourne).

The late Mr. J.B.Shilcock was of a fearless disposition, and was never afraid to speak his mind freely when the occasion demanded. One of these was in April 1913, when he made some pointed statements at a vestry meeting with reference to some complaints being made as to the then Vicar (the Rev. T. Cowpe Lawson), and said that the Vicar was as much entitled to visit Nonconformists as he was those who attended the Parish Church.

Having occupied the position of Chairman of the Urban Council in April 1915, after sixteen years service on the Council, he was nominated for the position of vice-chairman. The other member nominated on that occasion was J.T. Holmes, J.P.; and Mr. Holmes was declared elected with a majority of one vote.

In September, 1916 at the first meeting of the new Board of Trustees for the management of the whole of the Charities and Almshouses in Bourne, Mr. Shilcock was chosen as the first Chairman. he was then the senior trustee under the former scheme, a position he had occupied for over 25 years.

In 1919 he resigned the post of Secretary to the Bourne Foal Show Society after having filled that position for many years. He had also been hon. secretary for the 'Xmas Fat Stock Show Society. In the following year he was appointed vice chairman of the Bourne Urban Council.

He was re-elected Chairman of the Urban Council in April 1921, a period of 22 years having elapsed since he presided over the Council previously, and in the meantime he had been a member of the Council continuously.During this period of his Chairmanship, he presided over a meeting held in the Town Hall to give consent to the purchase of the market rights of the town. There was considerable uproar at the meeting and a poll of the town was demanded. It was a memorable meeting, and the deceased gentleman had a difficult role to fill.

He had also been vice-chairman for many years of the Borne Society for the Prosecution of Felons. He and his father had been members of the Society since 1845 the society having been formed 23 years earlier.

For over 30 years the deceased gentleman had taken a conspicuous part and interest in connection with local charities, and he was at one time a member of the Bourne Butterfield Hospital. For twenty years he was secretary of the old Bourne Sports, and was for many years a member of the old school board.

The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, the first portion of the service being held in the Abbey Church, and it was conducted by the Rev. Penrose Berryman.

THE MOURNERS.

The family mourners were Mrs. Shilcock(widow), Dr and Mrs Bolton (daughter and son-in-law, Horncastle), Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Mays (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. H.A.Twell (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs.J. Freeman (sister and brother-in-law), Mrs G.H.Mays (sister-in-law), miss Nona Agnew (grand-daughter), Mr and Mrs.Barnard Bolton, Horncastle (grandchildren), Mr. and Mrs. H.P. Mays (nephew and niece), Miss Cissie Mays (niece).

Amongst those present at the Church were also Messrs. C. E. Andrew, J.T. Holmes, J.P.; J.T. Swift, J.P.; H.M.A. Stanton, A.Spray, J,A, Chadwick, C.H. M. Baxter, H.Watts (Tickencote), George Franks (Rippingale), F.D. Carter(Dowsby), Arthur Hardwick (Spalding), G.S. Mills, F. Richardson, John Goy, W. Richards, F.H. Sones, Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Pike, Mr. and Mrs. W.G. Reeve, Miss Mills (Cawthorpe), Mrs. Tippitt (Lincoln), Mrs. J.H. Pick, Miss Cousins, Mrs. Yates, Mrs. Coombes, Mrs. Wm. Brinkley, Mrs. W. Brinklet, jnr., Mrs. Coverley, Mrs. Glover, Miss Lloyd, Mrs. Brake, Mrs. Gibbs, Mrs. Anderson (Norwich), Mr. and Mrs. J. Walpole, Mrs. J. Stubley, Mrs. L.A. Walker, Mr. B. Wadsley (Dowsby), Mr J. Freeman, Billingborough. The coffin which was of polished elm, was supplied by Messrs. A. Wall and Son, and the bearers were messrs. G. Dawson, B. Maxon, G. Barnett and H.A. Gilbert.

FLORAL TRIBUTES.

Among the floral tributes were the following: From Alice, Tom, Annie and Ray.; May, Arthur and family; Effie, Harold and Barrie; Ida, Joan and Barbara; Pattie and family; Fannie and Phillip; John, Nellie and family, Billingborough; All at Leeds; Barnard and Dora; Mr. and Mrs. A. Green; Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Bacon, Tooting Common; W.M. North and family; Mr. and Mrs. G.E. Lloyd; C.A. Smith and family; Mr. and Mrs. L. Walker and Peter; Mrs Brake and family; Mrs. A.E. and Mir. C.E. Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Smith and Harry Mills (Cawthorpe).