Funeral of Walter Bennett

April 1908

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 10 April 1908

Funeral of Walter Bennett.

The sad circumstances of Walter Bennett’s death, together with his popularity as a football and cricket player, drew a sympathising crowd of over 2,000 persons at the Mexborough Cemetery yesterday, with many manifestations of regret.

High Street, rough, presented an impressive spectacle as the funeral cortege passed slowly along. The pavements were crowded with people, and the closed shops and drawn blinds suggested a town in mourning.

The burial service was conducted by the Rev. W. H. F. Bateman, Vicar of Mexborough and Rural Dean, who incidentally referred to “their departed brother’s” prominent connection with the foremost British games.

The coffin bore the inscription: Walter Bennett, died April 1908, aged 33 years.”

It was borne to the grave by Meesrs. J. Nimrod, W. Marshall, W. Hawley, W. Speight, L. Moseley, W. Chadfield, and K. Sheldrake, players of Denaby Football club, of which deceased was a playing member, during the present season.