‘THE ANGEL OF DEATH AND THE GRAVEYARD MEETING’

It was obligatory for each department to be aware of the contents of the obituary column of the Times newspaper every day. Anyone who knew, or had any knowledge of an inclusion, however remote, had to attend the ‘Graveyard’ meeting at ten o’clock, where it was decided who would write to the widow. Usually it was the senior partner, and it followed a strict format. ‘Very sad…’, and if appropriate, ‘only saw him… shared a drink at the club…, and always ended: ‘If there is anything, absolutely anything at all I, in my role as your late husband’s friend, can do to assist, please do not hesitate to be in touch…’

Handwritten, the letter would be delivered, not posted, by the office motor cyclist, an ex-army dispatch rider, nicknamed the ‘Angel of Death’. Mandatory attendance at the funeral or cremation followed, which routinely bore rich pickings for the firm.

Thus, it was that Ian found himself accompanying John Mulholland to the ‘Graveyard’ meeting in early June of 1961, following the announcement that morning of the death of Marmaduke, the third Earl Lundy.

The company had last acted for the family when the first Earl acquired the island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel at the turn of the century. Ian’s connection was instantly and sniffly dismissed when he admitted his mother’s role as housekeeper to the family. He did not mention his last encounter with Alistair, the son, now to be the fourth Earl, when he and his mother had been evicted.

Much more relevant was Brigadier Sale’s connection through Poppy Day and the British Legion. His letter was duly delivery to the widow, Emily, at Rowas Grange Estate. As was hoped, Woods & Parker were appointed to handle the Probate valuation. John Mulholland was put in overall charge, and being from Bath, Ian was the natural choice as his assistant.

Another extract from chapter forty seven of – ‘Go Swift and Far – a Tale of Bath’ The first book of The Westcott Chronicles