One of the curiosities which delving into old records uncovers is the odd obituary which tells you quite a lot about someone but misses out something which is not mentioned because, at the time, it was taken as common knowledge. Such is the obituary of the Reverend Thomas Henry Labey (1894-1947), Rector of St Clement, who died in an accident on 20 February 1947, aged only 53 which appears in the April 1947 edition of “The Pilot”.
Try as I might, and I have searched far and wide, I cannot find anything out about the accident, and hope some of my readers may throw some light on the matter. Unfortunately my regular haunt at the library is out of bounds because of the pandemic, so the JEP archives are not present to view.
He had also been here during the Occupation, where it is noted that on his card that he was Rector of St. Clement, single, with brown hair, and brown/hazel eyes, and a old scar on his left leg. Perhaps that dated from his experience as a Private in the Border Regiment from 14 March 1917-5 August 1918 in the First World War. He then had a commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery until demobolised on 1 January 1919 as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant. Curiously his wartime experience is missing from both obituaries.
There is another curiosity: his will stipulated that all his written sermons should be burnt.
Incidentally, there was not the hiatus of around 6 months or longer before a new incumbent can be appointed. The London Gazette that year has:
"Whitehall, April n, 1947. The KING has been pleased to approve the presentation of the Reverend Raymond Sefton Hornby
to the Rectory of the Parish of Saint Clement in the
Island of Jersey, vacant by the death of the
Reverend Thomas Henry Labey, M,A."
In Memoriam: Thomas Henry Labey—Priest.
We have all been inexpressibly shocked by the tragic passing on February 20th, as the result of an accident, of the Rector of St. Clement’s at the early age of 53.
He was in very truth a man greatly beloved, one of those truly good men who made friends wherever he went and never made an enemy.
During the fifteen years of his incumbency he did very valuable spiritual work, which went; deep, the results of which will remain for many years to come.
Shrewd, level-headed, versatile, and holding decided opinions of his own, he was always kindly in his judgements, while his wise counsel and sound common-sense will be greatly missed in more than one quarter. At the same time his thoughtful consideration for others and his generous heart led him to perform many acts of kindness for those who would have received help in no other way. The whole island is the poorer by his passing.
M. Le Marinel.
Obituary
A tragic accident has deprived the Parish of St. Clement of a Rector, and many persons, both in the parish and beyond, of a true friend.
The youngest son of the late Dr. Julius Labey the Rev. Thomas Henry Labey had a. career of usefulness and service on the mainland before deciding to settle in his native island.
He was educated at Victoria College, and later at. Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1916. Three years later he took the degree of Master of Arts.
Having decided to take Hon Orders Mr. Labey was trained at Wells Theological College, and was ordained Deacon in 1920 and Priest in 1921.
His first curacy was at Crewkerne; thence he was transferred to Frome, where he remained until 1928. Subsequent promotion took him to Weston, and later to West Harptree, where he was Vicar from 1930 to 1932.
The strong call that appeals to so many Jerseymen impelled him to apply for the living at St. Clement’s, when it became vacant; and in 1932 he was inducted as Rector of that parish.
Mr. Labey was then in the early prime of life, and came to Jersey endowed with the valuable experience that contact with Church life in England must give.
Jersey has been called a backwater in the stream of ecclesiastical life; it is, therefore, the more important that we should welcome those who have felt the sway of new thought on the mainland
Although Mr. Labey introduced into his Services some variants from the accustomed ways of his predecessor - for the new Rector had come under the influence of the modern trend of the Anglican Communion—he shewed his strength of character and sweet reasonableness by not attempting to impose his will upon an unwilling community. He adapted his Services to the wishes of his congregation without abandoning his principles. It was a noble effort and earned him the affection and respect he undoubtedly deserved.
As the spiritual pastor of his flock he was ever ready to aid and advise. He visited the sick and suffering and accordingly always took a strong interest in the work of the St. Clement’s District Nursing Association.
His duties as Rector were particularly arduous in that besides the parish church he had sole care for many years of the Church of St. Nicholas after the death of the Rev. Mr. Lee. Yet he never shirked those duties.
He was ever anxious to maintain and improve the choral part of his Services, to increase the popularity of the Sunday School, and he remained counsellor and friend to the young people who passed from the school into the larger Church life. In short he served his God in his generation in accordance with the best tradition of the ministry to which he had dedicated his life.
St. Clement’s mourns his loss, and will ever keep green the memory of one who was a tried servant and a faithful Priest.
We offer our deep sympathy both to his mother, whom he loved with an unbounded devotion, and to his two brothers ; the bond of affection between them all was an inspiring example of family unity.
May his soul rest in peace. This is the devout prayer of all who knew and loved him.
V. J. Bailhache.
In Memoriam: Thomas Henry Labey—Priest.
We have all been inexpressibly shocked by the tragic passing on February 20th, as the result of an accident, of the Rector of St. Clement’s at the early age of 53.
He was in very truth a man greatly beloved, one of those truly good men who made friends wherever he went and never made an enemy.
During the fifteen years of his incumbency he did very valuable spiritual work, which went; deep, the results of which will remain for many years to come.
Shrewd, level-headed, versatile, and holding decided opinions of his own, he was always kindly in his judgements, while his wise counsel and sound common-sense will be greatly missed in more than one quarter. At the same time his thoughtful consideration for others and his generous heart led him to perform many acts of kindness for those who would have received help in no other way. The whole island is the poorer by his passing.
M. Le Marinel.
Obituary
A tragic accident has deprived the Parish of St. Clement of a Rector, and many persons, both in the parish and beyond, of a true friend.
The youngest son of the late Dr. Julius Labey the Rev. Thomas Henry Labey had a. career of usefulness and service on the mainland before deciding to settle in his native island.
He was educated at Victoria College, and later at. Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1916. Three years later he took the degree of Master of Arts.
Having decided to take Hon Orders Mr. Labey was trained at Wells Theological College, and was ordained Deacon in 1920 and Priest in 1921.
His first curacy was at Crewkerne; thence he was transferred to Frome, where he remained until 1928. Subsequent promotion took him to Weston, and later to West Harptree, where he was Vicar from 1930 to 1932.
The strong call that appeals to so many Jerseymen impelled him to apply for the living at St. Clement’s, when it became vacant; and in 1932 he was inducted as Rector of that parish.
Mr. Labey was then in the early prime of life, and came to Jersey endowed with the valuable experience that contact with Church life in England must give.
Jersey has been called a backwater in the stream of ecclesiastical life; it is, therefore, the more important that we should welcome those who have felt the sway of new thought on the mainland
Although Mr. Labey introduced into his Services some variants from the accustomed ways of his predecessor - for the new Rector had come under the influence of the modern trend of the Anglican Communion—he shewed his strength of character and sweet reasonableness by not attempting to impose his will upon an unwilling community. He adapted his Services to the wishes of his congregation without abandoning his principles. It was a noble effort and earned him the affection and respect he undoubtedly deserved.
As the spiritual pastor of his flock he was ever ready to aid and advise. He visited the sick and suffering and accordingly always took a strong interest in the work of the St. Clement’s District Nursing Association.
His duties as Rector were particularly arduous in that besides the parish church he had sole care for many years of the Church of St. Nicholas after the death of the Rev. Mr. Lee. Yet he never shirked those duties.
He was ever anxious to maintain and improve the choral part of his Services, to increase the popularity of the Sunday School, and he remained counsellor and friend to the young people who passed from the school into the larger Church life. In short he served his God in his generation in accordance with the best tradition of the ministry to which he had dedicated his life.
St. Clement’s mourns his loss, and will ever keep green the memory of one who was a tried servant and a faithful Priest.
We offer our deep sympathy both to his mother, whom he loved with an unbounded devotion, and to his two brothers ; the bond of affection between them all was an inspiring example of family unity.
May his soul rest in peace. This is the devout prayer of all who knew and loved him.
V. J. Bailhache.
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2 comments:
I've just had a quick whizz through the Sup Reg's Deaths Index for relevant year. Only Thomas Labey died in Grouville (1842 - 1853 p89)Also from Croads funeral directors:
Rev Thomas Henry Labey M.A. accidentally injured near Samares Post Office on Sunday evening the 16th February 1947 and died on the 20th, aged 47 years...
the rev labey was knocked down by a motor-car at the top of pontorson lane in a sleet storm. he had been out to supper after service and was escorting three ladies home when the accident happened
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