Avery Obituaries
The following information was original researched in 2011 and was published in the book My Avery Needle Case Collection by
Terry Meinke in April 2012. No changes have been made other than adding additioal photographs and dividing the text into more paragraphs to make it easier to
read. The obituaries for the Avery family of Headless Cross were located in the Redditch Indicator, the local newspaper in the
area. Additional information was found for William Avery in a pamphlet published in 1899 by the Indicator entitled
In Memoriam William Avery, J.P., of Headless Cross, Redditch. The Avery family included the father, John Avery
(1807-1865), his wife Catherine (1806-1888) and their three sons: William (1832-1899), Charles (1834-1911 and Joseph
(1839-1915). The sections are:
Decease of Mr. John Avery
The Late Mrs. Avery
Death of Mr. William Avery
The Funeral of Mr. William Avery
Death of Mr. Charles Avery
The Late Mr. Joseph Avery
Decease of Mr. John Avery
(Painting of John Avery courtesy of John Avery Hancox)
July 1, 1865: On Sunday morning last, about 10 o’clock, departed this life, one of those marked characters happily to be found in almost all communities, great and small, who are the principle agents in all the good movements of the special district in which they dwell. Such was Mr. John Avery, in the locality of Headless Cross. He was ever ready to give, not only financial aid, but more important, his enthusiastic personal services to any cause, either public or private, which was good. His memorandum book, pencil, and persuasive appeals were not restricted to chapel and school wants; when affliction fell on a poor parishioner, efficient aide to tide over the difficulty happily was often rendered and collected by Mr. Avery; for he rarely asked in vain. The latter fact may be explained by what was said in our hearing a day or two since, by one of the trade, viz: That his course through life, in business or otherwise, had been such as to win the entire respect of all who knew him.
The Late Mrs. Avery
(Painting of Catherine Avery courtesy of John Avery Hancox)
About June 23, 1888: It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we have to record in our obituary the death of Mrs. Catherine Avery. Throughout a long life – one exceeding by many years the allotted span – this estimable lady has fulfilled the divine injunction to go about doing good. To her poorer neighbors especially her loss will be well nigh irreparable: to them she was ever a considerate friend, a wise counsellor, and a generous benefactor, and long will her memory be revered by the many recipients of her truly Christian and unostentatious charity. In her family circle, she was loved with an intensity almost beyond expression; and the very large attendance at the internment on Tuesday last, together with the large number of floral offerings which were contributed, evinced most unmistakably the deep and earnest sympathy which was felt for the members of the family in their bereavement.
Death of Mr. William Avery
(Painting of William Avery as a young man courtesy of John Avery Hancox)
August 5, 1899: Another of the very few remaining links connecting Redditch of the present day with “Old Redditch” of fifty or sixty years ago has been removed in the person of Mr. William Avery, of Headless Cross, who passed suddenly but peacefully away (from vascular disease of the heart, of many years standing), while sitting on a garden seat in the grounds of his residence, on Monday afternoon, the 31st ult., in the sixty-eighth year of his age. He leaves two sons, Harold and Richardo, and two brothers. It is, of course, impossible to do justice to the life-record and memory of such a man as Mr. William Avery, who for sixty years has taken a prominent part in the public, social, and religious life of the town and neighbourhood, on the spur of the moment. A record worthy of such a theme must be relegated to the future, but subjoined is a brief outline, from which an idea may be gathered of the diversity and extent of his life’s work and interests.
William Avery was born, near his late residence, at Headless Cross, on May 1st, 1832. He received his early education at what were then the two chief scholastic establishments in the town of Redditch, both situated in Evesham Street. After leaving these he went to the Wesleyan College (now Queen’s College) Taunton for a year. At a relatively early age he was initiated by his father into the “art and craft” of needle making, in the firm of William Avery and Sons, which had been established in 1785, and from this, in his turn, William Avery built up, by unremitting attention, his widely-known commercial success; indeed, with the exception of the breaks caused lately by declining health, until within a few hours of the death, he did not forsake his post as head of the firm. But to the local public the interest in the life-work and fame of William Avery lie not in commercial success, but falls under three chief divisions – musical, social, and religious.
From infancy he evinced distinct musical talent, which rapidly developed, until by the time he had arrived at earliest manhood it had attained a high degree of excellence, which secured his fame throughout the neighbourhood as an exceptionally good musician, which reputation he maintained to the end of his life. In 1837, when Mr. Avery was only four years old, he became leader, he told us, in the choir of the first Wesleyan Chapel in Headless Cross, and through all the vicissitudes of that body in the village he maintained an official connection with them for 62 years. In 1843 he opened the organ erected in the then new Wesleyan Chapel at Bates Hill, Redditch. In 1844, he informed us, he was appointed organist at the “Old Chapel on the Green,” Redditch, and was the first to have a regular salary allocated to him (£30 per annum) for his services, but “he never received” the money. So great was his enthusiasm for music, so highly was his musical ability recognised, and his services in request, that early in his life it could be said that there was not a church or chapel in the neighbourhood, the organ of which he had not played upon. He was also in his younger days a great supporter of athletic games. At one time he could hold his own with the bat, and was one of the team chosen to play against the All England Eleven when it visited Redditch. In latter years he was President of the Redditch Football Club, and of the Headless Cross Football Club for many years. In October, 1849, he was the chief of those who originated the movement which eventuated in the establishment of the Redditch Library and Scientific Institute. He was librarian for several years; for eight years was a member of the Committee, and for thirty years has been one of its vice-presidents. To this institution all along he has from time to time rendered very valuable and attractive service.
On September 18th, 1855, he was married at the Wesleyan Chapel, Sherborne. Mrs. Avery predeceased him on June 14th, 1895. Soon after their marriage they established a “Poor’s Fund” for the village of Headless Cross, and a great feature in its aid was the annual “concert for the poor,” at which, on account of Mr. Avery’s wide reputation as a musician, many professionals from time to time assisted. These concerts attained a high reputation throughout the neighbourhood, attracted large and influential audiences, and brought substantial aid to the fund. They were continued until about 1885, when, owing mainly to advancing years, Mr. and Mrs. Avery felt unable to continue them. These musical treats are even now remembered by many with great pleasure. About 1858 Mr. Avery took an active part in promoting the success of the old “Saturday evening entertainments,” which had a very successful career. According to the local press of that period, Mr. Avery originated “the first Penny Readings ever held in the country.” In 1860 he took a prominent position in the establishment of the local rifle corps, and advanced to the position of captain, which he held for about twenty years. In 1865, having taken much interest in the matter of the provision of cottage hospitals, and having had considerable correspondence on the matter with Mr. Albert Napper, the founder of village hospitals, he in a letter to the Indicator dated October 30th, suggested the establishment of such a hospital for “Redditch; he believed it was quite practicable and would be a great benefit to the town and neighbourhood.”
In 1876 he became a member of the Local Board, and was in favour of the scheme of sewage disposal adopted by the majority of the Board, and subsequently approved by the Local Government Board and ultimately carried out. This brought him into sharp conflict for the time being, with several of his public contemporaries and friends. He retired from the Board with his colleagues about 1880, when the majority, through the action of the Ratepayers’ Protection Association, had been reduced to a minority. About 1871 he became a member of the first School Board for Feckenham district, including Ashwood Bank and Crabbs Cross, and for several years rendered important services in connection therewith, but he retired on account of advancing years and inability to hear well. Mr. Avery was always strongly in favour of unsectarian public elementary education. He was also a member for some years of the Alcester Board of Guardians. In the winter of 1886 Mr. Avery delivered a series of lectures, in connection with the Institute, entitled “Old Redditch,” compiled from notes and personal reminiscences. He covered the period between 1800 to 1848. Delivered with characteristic wit and humour, and being full of local names and events, they delighted large audiences. Subsequently, through the efforts of Dr. Page, the hon. Secretary of the Institute, they were published in pamphlet form. In 1872 Mr. Avery took an active part in the establishment of the School of Art, at Bates Hill, and was an active member of its committee for many years. He was elected President of the Liberal Association for 1890. He took great interest in the Redditch Building Society in its early days (established 1859) and on one occasion rendered it signal service, it is recorded by an address. One of its Vice-presidents from 1875 to its incorporation in 1877.
In the winter of 1892 he commenced a series of lectures, in connection with the Institute, on “Music and Musicians of Old Redditch,” the last of the series being delivered on Dec. 1st, 1896. Like his lectures on “Old Redditch,” they are important contributions concerning local persons and events of the past. They were illustrated with typical music, rendered by a select choir, and, being upon his favourite subject, were delivered in characteristic style and con amore. Large audiences were attracted to these lectures, which must always remain as pleasant recollections. Until comparatively recent years, Mr. Avery frequently travelled on the Continent, and brought home rich memories and souvenirs of his visits to be utilised at some time for the public weal. On December 15th, 1891, Mr. Avery, who by an unusual coincidence had been present, together with Mrs. Avery, at three representations, gave, in connection with the Institute, a lecture on “The Passion Play at Oberammergau,” illustrated with numerous and beautiful lantern slides. Mr. Avery explained that at the first representation he was present he had some feelings of misgiving, as he thought the subject too sacred for dramatic representation, but the history of the unique septennial representation, the simplicity of the people, and their manifest reverence dispelled his natural repugnance to the representation, and he hoped the modern facilities for traveling would not vitiate these conditions. On December 2nd, 1894, the Organ Jubilee at the chapel was celebrated, Mr. Avery performing on the instrument, he having acted as organist for 50 years. In 1887 he was appointed a J. P. for Worcestershire, and sat for a short time on the Bench at Redditch, but owing to increasing deafness he was unable to continue to attend the sittings. He was the second Nonconformist magistrate appointed on the local Bench.
In February, 1895, Mr. Avery lectured on the old “Saturday Evening Entertainments,” and in the reproduction, at request, of a then celebrated tableau, “The Death of Nelson,” as usual scored a great success. In March, 1895, he was much affected by the destruction of the Wesleyan Chapel at Headless Cross by a gale, as he had laboured hard in extinguishing the debt upon the building, and which had but just been accomplished. On May 25th, 1895, he took part in the opening ceremonies of the Smallwood Hospital, and recounted his own efforts in 1865. On July 15th, 1896 he was present at the opening of the new (present) Wesleyan Church at Headless Cross, and took a part in the proceedings. Subsequently he had executed a series of coloured drawings and photographs showing the various chapels the Wesleyan denomination has occupied in Headless Cross from 1820 to 1896, these he presented to the chapel authorities, and they are placed in the vestibule of the present building. On November 18th and 20th, 1897, he had the satisfaction of opening the new commemoration organ which had been specially subscribed for and placed in the new Wesleyan Chapel at Headless Cross to replace the one destroyed by the gale in 1895. How thankful he was to be present on that occasion, and how delighted he was to handle his beloved instrument again, notwithstanding his infirmities of age and deafness, can only be appreciated by those who were present.
In politics he was a staunch Liberal, in religious views a staunch Wesleyan, but no bigot. For forty years he was superintendent of the Sunday schools at Headless Cross, his classes being large (500) and very popular. He established a clothing club in connection with the schools, so that with the poor’s fund and this club he (in conjunction with his wife) literally “fed the hungry,” and “clothed the naked.” He was the oldest local preacher in the circuit and acted as circuit steward for thirty years. He twice represented the district at the Wesleyan Conference. Of late years, owing to declining health and vigour, he was been unable to do much personally. In him local Wesleyanism has lost a foremost exponent and an able and untiring worker, whose equal it cannot hope to find for years to come. He seldom wrote to the public press, but when he did, it was on some important subject he could help to elucidate or contribute something to. His letters were always to the point, and extremely interesting. Mr. Avery had also for many years made a collection of newspaper-cuttings and of MS notes, chiefly of personal reminiscences and events of the past, and as these are necessarily of much local interest and value, it is hoped they will be permitted to be available at some future time for the completion of his notes on “Old Redditch,” or otherwise utilised in the record of local history.
The writer of this brief biography enjoyed the confidence and friendship of Mr. Avery for twenty-five years, and while he knows he would deprecate anything like laudation, feels it only just to recount his good works and virtues. William Avery was distinguished by generous sympathy, which showed itself in a willingness to render ready help to all, transparent simplicity, sincerity, integrity, and unostentatiousness; by charity, love of fairness, and invariable wit and good humour. These secured the affectionate esteem of all who knew him, or who were brought into contact with him. He has gone to his reward; his loss will be sorely felt on all hands; but his example and the remembrance of his work and name will ever survive in local fame and history.
The Funeral of Mr. William Avery
The funeral of the deceased gentlemen took place on Wednesday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of friends. The funeral procession started from the residence of the deceased shortly after three o’clock and proceeded to the Redditch cemetery, where the service was conducted. Amongst those present were Mr. Harold Avery and Mr. Ricardo Avery (sons), Mr. Charles Avery and Mr. Joseph Avery (brothers), Mr. Barclay (Birmingham), Dr. Page, and Mr. J. Hancox (Evesham) representing his father (brother-in-law of the deceased) mourners; Revs. E. Murphy and C. Wildblood, W. H. Jackson (representing the other Nonconformist Churches in the town), Mr. Geo. Leach, Messrs. J. Purcell, A. Smith, W. Houghton, A. Willmore (representing the Wesleyan Church). The bearers were Messrs. C. Herbert, J. Smout, F. May, J. Davis, A. Townsend, J. H. Harper, G. H. Rollins and H. H. Yoxall. In addition to these there were present at the grave side, Rev. J. Griffin (St. Luke’s, Headless Cross), Col. H. S. Bartleet, Mr. E. W. Heywood, J.P., Mr. John James, Mr. W. Hancock (Birmingham), and many others. The opening sentences of the burial service were read by the Rev. E. Murphy. On arrival at the chapel the lesson was read by the Rev. C. Wildblood, and the Rev. W. H. Jackson offered prayer. Hymn 940 (Wesleyan Hymn Book) “Give me the wings of faith to rise,” was then sung, after which the Rev. E. Murphy delivered a short address, in which he touchingly referred to the noble work performed by their departed brother and the splendid example he set to those among whom he moved. The remainder of the service at the grave side was conducted by the Rev. E. Murphy and C. Wildblood.
Death of Mr. Charles Avery
February 11, 1911: The death occurred on Tuesday, at his residence, Headless Cross, of Mr. Charles Avery, an old and respected inhabitant of the district. Mr. Avery, who was in his 77th year, had been ill for a short time only, but owing to his advanced age and consequent failing powers little hope was entertained that he would recover from his illness. Mr. Avery was a keen sportsman, and took a warm interest in sport until the last. He was a younger brother of the late Mr. William Avery, and a few years older than Mr. Joseph Avery. The latter gentleman is the only surviving member of the family, and to him will be extended general sympathy in his bereavement, and also to Mrs. Charles Avery, who survives her husband. The funeral took place at Redditch Cemetery this (Friday) afternoon, and was attended by members of the family and friends.
The Late Mr. Joseph Avery
July 2, 1915: A very large number in Redditch and neighbourhood - and many outside the bounds of the district - who can claim no blood relationship, will feel and sincerely mourn the loss of Mr. Joseph Avery. By his kindly disposition, his ready sympathy and help in all good and charitable work, and the unselfish devotion of his great gifts and powers to the public service, he had earned and held the gratitude and affection of all. His circle of friends was a large and wide one, for it comprehended all who knew him. His death is the removal of another link from the chain connecting the new with the old Redditch, for the record of his life-work carries us back a decade beyond the middle of the past century, when Redditch had no railway service and very little of anything else but factories and workshops. He grew with the town, helped in the fostering of its oldest industry, assisted in the development of its religious, social, educational and charitable institutions, and did as much as anyone of his age in encouraging the love and practice of those arts which at once brighten and ennoble life, and raise the moral tone of communities. He was an English gentleman in the best and truest meaning of the term. His highly cultivated musical gifts made him in great demand, and his services in this direction were always readily given in the cause of charity. Many now living remember with pleasure, the fine series of concerts for the poor, held at Headless Cross schools thirty to forty years ago, promoted by Messrs. Joseph and William Avery. Those concerts were not only invariably successful in a financial sense; they provided rare musical treats, for among the performers were, at various times, the foremost musical artists of Birmingham and the Midlands.
Musical and Educational Work – In the early sixties, when Redditch was not so closely connected with the Midland Metropolis as is now case, and was thrown much upon its own resources for its entertainment, Mr. Avery was largely instrumental in promoting the successful series of Saturday evening entertainments at the old Red Lion Assembly Room. He did more than help in their promotion; he figured prominently upon the programmes, as a few still living can testify who remember his fine rendering of such songs as Tom Hood’s “Song of the Shirt” – which helped towards the bringing about of an important industrial reform – “The Dessert,” “The ship on fire,” “The death of Nelson,” and other songs deservedly popular at that period. Coming down to more recent times, it would be difficult to overstate the value of the work done by Mr. Avery in connection with education. For many years before the passing of the Education Act of 1902 he was a member of the old Feckenham School Board, and has been chairman of the managers of the Crabbs Cross Council schools since the Act came into operation. It is only about a month since he retired from the Redditch District Education Committee. His love of children was one of his most marked characteristics, and because of this he was an ideal school manager. He took what amounted to a parental interest in the Crabbs Cross schools, which he regularly visited three or four times a week, and he was in great demand as musical coach when the children were preparing entertainments. In earlier life he took part in the highest class Midland concerts – oratorios, opera, and ballad – and many who have made a name in music largely owe their success to his sound advice and kindly encouragement. He cannot be replaced; but the result of his good work remains and will serve to keep his memory fresh and green.
With deep regret, which we know will be shared by every resident in the town and district, we record the death of Mr. Joseph Avery, who passed away very suddenly at his residence, Birchfield Road, Headless Cross, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Avery, who was in his seventy-sixth year, appeared in his usual health on Tuesday morning, and walked to Redditch and back. After luncheon, he lay down upon a couch for his customary rest, and later in the afternoon was found by his housekeeper, dead. He had evidently passed away in his sleep, the life-spark having flickered out without causing a moments pain. When we speak of Mr. Avery being in his “usual health” on Tuesday morning, it must be understood that the terms apply to the conditions of the past two years of so. About that time he met with two rather serious accidents, having, within a space of a few months, been twice knocked down by cyclists. It was apparent to all his friends that he never fully recovered from the shock thus caused, although there was no reason to anticipate an immediate fatal issue.
In the first numbing shock of that news which has cast a gloom over the whole town, it is as difficult to give expression to the feeling of sorrow as it is to adequately express appreciation of the work and qualities of the one who is lost, and of the sense of that loss. It is within a few weeks of sixteen years ago since, in writing of the death of Mr. William Avery, we said: “In recording its appreciation of a life honourably and usefully spent, and work well and bravely done, the world does no more than have justice. It is right that at the close of such a life the community which has been cheered and brightened by its radiating glow, and improved by its influence should give some expression of its gratitude and we believe we are voicing the feelings and wishes of the whole of the townspeople when we offer a last tribute of respect to the memory of him who has just laid down his burden and passed peacefully into the valley of the shadow - a shadow, however, without any terrors, merely the drawing down of the darkness at eventide, marking the close of life’s busy day and the time of rest and sleep . . . We can recall the cheery presence and impressive personality, the wit and humour which, however, never displayed itself at the cost of a wound to the most sensitive feelings; his thoroughness and unresting activity and the spirit with which he entered into whatever work he undertook, the exuberant vitality and large heartedness, which made him as keenly susceptible to the sorrowful plaint of a troubled child as he was keenly appreciative of mirth and the song of happiness.” These words apply as aptly to Mr. Joseph Avery as they applied to his brother, Mr. William Avery. It is a simple truth – and all who were privileged to know him will know that it is free of hyperbole – to say that Mr. Joseph Avery’s life was spent in good and useful work. We may take to ourselves the consolation offered in the assurance and knowledge that of such good lives “their work follows them,” but in the “rest from their labours” they pass from human ken, and the loss is keenly felt. Tolerant and sympathetic, as broad of view as kindly of nature, his rare qualities of heart were combined with artistic gifts and intellectual powers of a high order. To all of the younger generation he was “Uncle Joe.” The phrase betokened – less familiarity than affectionate regard, for to the end of his life he retained the youthful spirit which is compounded of faith and hope, his genial companionship with young people being the more valuable, because with the fresh spirit of youth he brought the ripe experience of age.
To attempt to compress into a few inches of newspaper space even the barest epitome of the life of one who for much more than a half century has been not only prominently but actively and usefully engaged in public work, is no light undertaking, and one likely to prove, in the result, as little satisfactory to the reader as the writer. The difficulty is not what to write, but what, in considering the exigencies of space, may be left unwritten without spoiling the story. However, strong may be the determination, and however clear the necessity, to generalise and take comprehensive sweeps in moving from one end of the long time span to the other, the temptation to linger at certain spots in the journey, to dwell lovingly here and there upon details - a particularly interesting incident at a concert, may be or little personal matters connected with musical “stars” of four or five decades ago - is almost irresistible. For fully sixty years Mr. Joseph Avery gave to the public service the fruit of intellectual and artistic gifts of a high order and gave them without hope of expectation of any other reward than the pleasure the artist always brings to himself, and the knowledge of having bought pleasure and brightness into the lives of others. In attempting even a rough sketch of a life so filled and employed, interesting incidents and details crowd to one’s mind in embarrassing profusion.
Mr. Avery was born at Headless Cross in 1839, in the house built by his father, the late Mr. John Avery. Seventy-five years ago Redditch and Headless Cross were vastly different places to what they are now, not only in appearance but also in regard to industrial and social conditions. Mr. Avery’s first recollection of anything connected with music was associated with the old Wesleyan Chapel. As a little boy he was taken to help in the choir, and so young and so small was he then that it was found necessary for him to stand on the seat, in order that he might be able to see over the board in front. Among his colleagues in the choir at that distant time was the mother of Mrs. O. Slater, the mother of Mr. G. Rollins. The chapel had no organ at that time, the accompaniments to the hymns and other musical parts of the service being supplied by flutes, violins, a double bass, and other orchestral instruments. When of school age, Mr. Avery first went to Tunstall school and after that, when twelve years of age, to Queen’s College, Taunton. Whatever the natural musical bend of the subject of our notice, there can be little doubt that it was fostered and encouraged during this stay at Taunton, for at the College, was John Pridham, composer of the “Battle of Delhi” and other descriptive pieces. Pridham, who was a sound and gifted musician, gave the then young Joseph Avery much valuable help in his musical practice and studies. At all musical functions he was chosen to take some part or other, and occasionally he was allowed to act as organist. At 14 years of age Joseph Avery returned home. By that time a harmonium had been procured for the chapel and in playing for the services Mr. Joseph Avery assisted his brother, the late Mr. William Avery. The two brothers shared the work, first as “harmoniumists,” and later as organists, until about twenty years ago, when the younger brother took upon himself the full duties as organist and choirmaster, which he continued until a few years ago. In the old days the Headless Cross Wesleyan chapel boasted a really fine choir, among the members being Mr. J. Rollins and Mr. Spiers, while of the Avery family the choir contained five representatives – Mr. Avery’s father, with three sons and daughter. The late Mr. Henry Hill and Mr. J. Hunt were also members, the latter having an unusually rich bass voice. That Mr. J. Avery did good services in connection with the chapel is shown by the fact that in addition to his work as organist and choirmaster, he went through the Sunday school from the bottom class to the top, was secretary of the school for thirty years and treasurer for about forty-five years. He held the latter position until quite recently.
After leaving college, Mr. Avery was at home for some time. He was then apprenticed to Messrs. Samuel Booth and Company, now Collings and Wallace, merchants. At that time Mr. Jesse Collings, one of the firm, was a personal friend of Mr. Avery’s, and among other friends he counted Mr. Joel Cadbury who was also apprenticed with him. Mr. Avery was in Birmingham until he was 22 years of age, but he came very regularly each week-end, for Sunday school work. At first it was a coach ride for the whole of the journey, but for the latter part of the time it was possible to take train as far as Barnt Green. While in Birmingham Mr. Avery was actively connected with the Birmingham Mutual Improvement Society held in Claredon Chambers, Temple Street, among his associates in the society being Alderman Sam Edwards, Mr. Frank Schradhorst, and other well-known Birmingham men. Mr. Avery always confessed to being a trifle stage struck at the time; but the puritanical feeling was much stronger then than now, and the influence of relatives and friends prevailed over an inclination which, had it been followed, might have added another and a local name to the historical fame roll.
During the period of his residence in Birmingham Mr. Avery was a member of the leading musical organizations - the Birmingham Clef Club, the Kyrle Society, etc. – and in that capacity became associated with the foremost Midland musicians. He himself was, as we have said, and as all in the district know, an artist of a high order. He was a skilled instrumentalist – pianoforte and organ – and possessed a baritone voice of fine quality and range, and sang and played with skill, taste and feeling. His Birmingham musical connections – among whom may be mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Corter Pereira (violin), Mr. French Davis (harp), and Mr. Mathews (flute) – brought much good to Redditch and district. Mr. Avery himself was in great demand for oratoria, opera and ballad concerts, and in local concerts he usually secured the services also of some of his numerous artistic friends.
After leaving Birmingham, Mr. Avery joined the well-known needle manufacturing firm of William Avery and Sons, of which his brother William was principle. In connection with the firm’s business affairs Mr. Avery made many journeys to Spain and other continental countries his experiences while on those journeys and especially of bull fights in Spain - being made the subject of many interesting lectures.
Although so gifted and so prominent in musical matters, music actually took but a small part of Mr. Avery’s spare time activities. He was associated with the work of almost every educational and charitable organization in the district. In attempting to enumerate them there is a fear and likelihood of some of them being overlooked. To mention the few that come first to one’s mind; Mr. Avery was one of the members of the Redditch Literary and Scientific Institute since its foundation more than half a century ago, and never severed his connections with it until his death at which time he was chairman of the committee of management. He was keenly interested in educational matters, and his work in this connection was the more valuable in its results from the fact of his love of and popularity among children. He was a member of the Redditch District Education Committee until a few weeks ago, and was, from 1903 until the time of his death, chairman of the managers of the Crabbs Cross Council school. Prior to the passing of the Education Act, 1902, Mr. Avery was for many years a member of the Feckenham School Board. In the early sixties of the past century, Mr. Avery took a very prominent part in the promotion and management of the successful series of entertainments known as the Redditch Saturday evening entertainments held at the old Red Lion Inn Assembly Room. In this work he was associated with the late Colonel V. Milward, Messrs. William Avery, William Conie (?), W. T. Heming, J. M. Woodward, Rev. J. Sculthorpe (vicar of Beoley) Watton, etc. He was for some years a member of the old Redditch Volunteers, and held, we believe, the rank of sergeant. He was one of the most active and useful members of the old Redditch Amateur Dramatic Society, and also took a prominent part in the work of the Redditch Amateur Operatic Society, and of the Redditch Philharmonic and Choral Societies. In sport he displayed most partiality for cricket. In former years he did useful service with the bat as a member of the old Redditch Windsor Cricket Club, and, after he ceased playing continued his interest in the game by attending the county and local matches. He took a warm interest in the work of the Headless Cross Nursing Association, was a regular attendant at and helper in the poor’s treats of the town and district and, in fact was connected in one way or other with every educational and charitable organization in the town and neighbourhood.
Mr. Avery took more than a sentimental interest in journalism. He was a facile and able writer upon musical and dramatic topics, as was his brother, Mr. William Avery. The literary aptitude and taste of the family is continued in Mr. Avery’s nephew, Mr. Harold Avery the popular writer of boys’ school stories. He was an assiduous collector and collator of musical and dramatic records and notes as well as of local historical matters, and it is much to be hoped his collection may be secured for public reference and use.
Ten years ago a desire was expressed that practical expression should be given to the local appreciation of Mr. Avery’s life-long public services. A fund was opened to which subscriptions came promptly and liberally and at a largely attended meeting held on August 16th, 1913, at Temperance Hall, Redditch, at which Mr. George Lewis presided, Mr. Avery was presented with a purse of gold and an illuminated address.
Mr. Avery, who was a bachelor, retired from his old business about twenty years ago, since about which time he has been the local agent to the trustees of the Sir Josiah Mason Orphanage, who own considerable land and other property in this district.
This notice, from one who was privileged to call himself a friend, is necessarily brief, and incomplete. It is but a small tribute to one who passed a good and useful life, and who did much to brighten and cheer and clear the path for others. In such space as it at our command it would be impossible to do justice to the qualities or the work of the one who has now gone to well-earned rest – one whom all will keenly miss, and whose loss we all mourn.
