Handley Wells, Conisborough Musician and Organist

December 1928

Mexborough and Swinton Times December 7, 1928

From the “Victoria Daily Times,” November 5th;

“Handley Wells the well-known Victorian musician and organist at the Dominion Theatre, died yesterday at St. Joseph’s Hospital, ‘ following an operation performed on Tuesday last.

The late Mr Weill was born in Conisborough Yorkshire, England forty-seven years ago, and, had of been a resident of Victoria for the last eleven years. He is survived by his widow, ,one son and two daughters, residing in Fell-street.

The remains will be sent to Vancouver to-night and tomorrow there will be a short funeral service at the crematory.

The passing of Mr Wells will be felt by musical circles and by the many patrons of the Dominion Theatre, who have been accustomed two hearing his rendition of the best music. During his residence in Victoria, the late Mr. Wells has been, in constant demand in concert work and oratorio, as he possessed a fine bass voice and great musical knowledge. As an organist he was considered one of the foremost in British Columbia.”

An excellent photograph of Mr. Wells accompanied the article, and judging by this he had changed very little since ‘he left England. He will be remembered in Conisborough as a fine soloist, who was at one time choirmaster at the Baptist Church. Councillor W. B. Wells, who is at present recovering from a stroke brought on, it is thought, by the news of his son’s death, has been, a member of the Urban District Council since its inception, and was chairman in 1926-7.