Filmer and Whitebread Family

Thanks go to John Filmer Whitebread (great grandson of George Alfred Filmer, of the Grange, Greenstreet) for sharing his material on the families of Filmer and Whitebread relevant to the occupancy of The Grange in Greenstreet.

MARRIAGE OF MR ERNEST WHITEBREAD AND MISS FILMER

George Alfred Filmer in a family groupWednesday was an auspicious day for the village of Greenstreet, near Sittingbourne, for on that day the marriage of Miss Filmer, eldest daughter of Mr. A. G.. Filmer, of the Grange, Greenstreet, was celebrated in befitting manner. The family of the bride are well known and highly respected in this part of Kent (the father and sons being associated in business in High Street, Rochester), and the residents of Greenstreet generally evinced more than ordinary interest in the event. The bridegroom was Mr. Ernest George Whitebread, eldest son of Mr. Thomas Whitebread, of Home Farm, Frindsbury, near Rochester. The wedding took place at Lynsted church, at two o'clock, and a large gathering of relatives and friends assembled to witness the ceremony. The marriage service was performed by the Rev. W. H. Jackson, vicar of Frindsbury, assisted by the Rev. T. J. Sewell, vicar of Lynsted. The surpliced choir was in attendance, and the wedding was fully choral.

Ernest Whitebread and Kate Filmer in a horse-drawn buggyThe bride was given away by her father, and was attended by five bridesmaids, viz., Misses Nellie, Hilda, Annie, and Edith Filmer, sisters, and Miss Whitebread, only sister of the bridegroom. Mr Arthur Whitebread, brother of the bridegroom, officiated as "best man". The Bride looked charming in a dress of cream crepon, trimmed with satin and lace. She also wore a tulle veil and wreath of orange blossoms, an a diamond brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride likewise carried a choice "shower" bouquet of flowers, as did also the bridesmaids, with the exception of the youngest bridesmaid, Miss Edith Filmer, who carried a pretty basked of flowers. The bouquets were the gifts of the bridegroom. The bride likewise carried a choice "shower" bouquet of flowers, as did also the bridesmaids, with the exception of the youngest bridesmaid, Miss Edith Filmer, who carried a pretty basket of flowers. The bouquets were the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were attired in cream-coloured costumes, and wore white hats trimmed with ostrich feathers. When the register had been signed the newly wedded couple left the church amid the strains of Mendlessohn's "Wedding March," played on the organ by Mr. Ackerman. Rice was also freely showered upon the bride and bridegroom. The sun shoe out brightly and lit up the snow-covered ground, which sparkled in the sunlight and considerably added to the unique effect of this pretty wedding. The pathway through the churchyard, and the aisle inside the church, had been carpet by Mr W Atkins. The wedding party returned to The Grange where Mr and Mrs Filmer entertained a large party of friends; among the guests being the Rev. W. H. Jackson and the Rev T J Sewell. The handsomely decorated wedding cake was supplied by Mr. T. Tucker, of Rochester. The bride and bridegroom subsequently left Teynham station, amidst the congratulations of a host of well-wishers, the the five o'clock express (which was stopped at Teynham) for London, en route for Wales, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride's travelling costume was of electric blue cloth, trimmed with silk and steel beading, with hat en suite. In the evening Mr. Filmer entertained the employees at Bogle Farm and at the shop to a substantial supper. The evening was afterwards spent in conviviality. The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of a large number of handsome wedding presents, as follows:- Bridegroom to Bride, diamond brooch; Bride to Bridegroom, golden albert chain; Bride's father and mother, cheque; Mr. T. Whitebread, silver coffee pot; Mrs T. Whitebread, silver tea pot; Mr. A Whitebread, silver butter dish; Miss R. and Mr. T. Whitebread, silver toast rack; the Misses Nellie, Hilda, Annie, Edith, and J. Filmer, eider down quilt; Mr. G. Filmer and Miss Homewood, silver salver and egg stand; Mr. A. E. Filmer, fruit knives; Mr. P. Filmer, easy chair; Mr. F. Filmer, silver jam basket; Mr. G. Filmer (Cowsted), silver claret jug; Mrs. G. Filmer (Cowsted), spirit lamp; Mr. and Mrs. Homewood, umbrella stand; Miss. L. Homewood, door scraper; Mrs. Swan, jam spoons and saucepan; Mr and Mrs. T. Went, butter knife and dish; Mr. and Mrs. Pay, silver cream jug; Mr. and Mrs. T. Cruttenden, salad bowl; Mr. and Mrs. J. Gates, silver mustard pot; Mr. Turtle, silver teaspoons; Miss Marriott, silver breakfast cruet; Dr. Ross Brown, silver asparagus tongs; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Terry, brass letter scales; Mr. Jordan, silver teaspoons; Mr. and Mrs. Sibley, brass lamp; Mr. S. Gates, silver butter knife; Mr. W. Gates, silver jam basket; Mr. Roberts, "Shakespeare's Plays"; Mr. and Mrs. W. Goodhew, silver fruit basket; Mr. E. Brooker, silver breakfast cruet; Mr. and Mrs. D. Northrop, biscuit barrel; Mr. and Mrs. S. George, ink stand; Miss. A. George, silver bread fork; Miss. N. Filmer, crumb brush and tray; Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, cushion; Mr. and Mrs. A. Burrell, silver butter dish and knife; Mr. and Mrs. Read, glass dishes; Mr. A. Woodhams, table spoons; Mr. Ludgater, flower bowls; Mrs. Peatfield, ornaments; Housekeeper at Rochester, salad bowl; Servant at Rochester, silver knife rests; Mr. and Mrs. F. Tring, silver bread fork; Mr. Filmer's employees, silver sugar tongs and sifter; Miss H. Kemp, letter rack; Mr Whitebread, case of carvers and silver salt cellars; Mr. Richman, pair of plaques; Mr. and Mrs. F Austen Bensted, silver hot water jug; Mrs. Killick, pair of vases; Mr. George Whitebread, silver inkstand; Mr. L. Whitebread, pickle fork; Mr. and Mrs. Vinnicombe, sardine dish, Mrs. and Miss Aldrick, cushion; Mr. Walter Whitebread, case of dessert knives and forks; &c."

FUNERAL OF MRS. K. E. WHITEBREAD (Eldest daughter of Mr A. G. Filmer)

1951: The funeral of Mrs. Kate Emma Whitebread, of Mr. E. G Whitebread, of 114, Frindsbury Road, took place in Frindsbury Cemetery on Friday, preceded by a service in the church conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. J. A. Lloyd.

Private mourners were: The widower, Messrs. E. W., P. W., and A. W. Whitebread (sons) and Misses Nellie and Nora Whitebread (daughters), Mrs Wheatley and Mrs Wildish (sisters), Mr. Frank Filmer (brother), Messrs. Arthur E. and Walter W. Whitebread (brother-in-law), Messrs. A. E., G. F., and R. F. Filmer (nephews), and Mr. Paul Wyles (son-in-law).

Floral tributes were sent as follows: In loving memory, Ernest (widower), Ernest and Christine, in loving memory; to dearest Mother, with all our love, Percy and Babs; Tiny, Kitty and Mollie; Bertram and Nora; Paul and Dolly; Nellie and Gwen; Arthur and Alfreda; Frank; Leslie and Anne; Ted and Edith; from all at The Mount; Walter, Daisy and Jim; Jeanne and the family; Jack Millen, Jack, Leslie, and Derek (serving overseas); to Grandma, from little Anthea; With love to Grandma, from little Michael and Julian; Herbert and Dodo and children (Newport, Mon.); Major and Mrs Greig and Mary; Doctor and Mrs Rickman; Mr and Mrs Elmer Ebbetts; Ron, Edith and Derek; George and Winnie; Mr and Mrs A. E. Filmer and family (Salisbury); Mr and Mrs Wyles and family; Pat and Wife; Mr and Mrs Proctor and Joyce; Mr and Mrs Wheeler; Mr and Mrs Ballard and family; Mr and Mrs Smeed and family; Maureen and Guy; Mr and Mrs G. Veglio and Margharita.

DEATH OF MR. G. A. FILMER, GREENSTREET

Obituary: "AN OLD AND RESPECTED RESIDENT. Greenstreet lost one of its oldest residents on Saturday last, in the person of Mr. George Alfred Filmer, of the Grange. Mr. Filmer, who was in his 80th year, had been in failing health for several months. It was not until the last fortnight of his life, however, that he took to his bed permanently. He suffered from dropsy, and heart trouble, and after surprising everyone with his vitality, he passed away on Saturday evening.

Filmer butchersMr Filmer was born at Faversham. He came to Greenstreet as a young man, and went into business as a butcher. By dint of perseverance and the development of keen business abilities Mr. Filmer prospered. As years went on, and his sons came into the firm, the business developed and large contracts with the Navy and Army were entered into, the name of the contractors being known at various Service centres throughout the country. The deceased and his son, Mr. F. B. Filmer, also entered into contracts with several Unions, Mr. Filmer retired, from the butchery business about twenty years ago, and devoted himself to farming and fruit growing, which he had carried on in conjunction with his other business. For many years Mr. Filmer had farmed at Bogle, Lynsted, which was his own property. In Addition he went rather extensively into fruit growing. In all his undertaking he had prospered.

Mr. Filmer had lived at Greenstreet about sixty years. He was straightforward and honourable in all his dealings, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. His death is a loss to the district.

In Mr. Filmer's death coursing in this district has lost a keen devotee and supporter. For about half-a-century he had been one of the most prominent coursing men in North-east Kent. No coursing meet in Sheppy was complete without him, and in December 1881, he won a silver cup that was given by the late Mr. Charles Burley, as an encouragement to the sport, at a coursing meeting held at Wall End, near Queenborough. One of Mr. Filmer's daughters was born on the day the cup was won, and the trophy came to her as her birthright. Of the deceased's contemporaries in the old Sheppy coursing days there is now only one survivor, viz., Mr. T. Henham, of Sittingbourne. Mr. Filmer was also a staunch support of the Tickham Foxhounds. He never missed a point-to-point race meeting, and when a younger man frequently rode to hounds.

Mr Filmer was an expert judge of cattle, and he had frequently acted as judge at fat stock shows at Sittingbourne and Eastchurch.

The deceased gentleman never took any part in public life; but he had been a churchwarden of Lynsted Church for 17 years, retiring from that office, owing to failing health, last Easter.

He married a daughter of the late Mr. William David Vallance, of Bogle, Lynsted, and Mr. and Mrs. Filmer had been married 52 years. He leaves a widow and four sons and four daughters, three children having died. The sons are Messrs. Albert Edward, Percy William, Frank Blackman, and John Herbert Filmer; the youngest son is serving in the Army Veterinary Corps at Salonica. The daughters are Mrs. Whitebread (Rochester), Mrs. J. R. Millen (Sittingbourne), Mrs L. Wildish (Molesey) and Miss Edith Filmer.

The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, the interment being at Lynsted. Shutters were put up and blinds drawn at shops and houses throughout the village, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased.

The Burial Service was conducted by the Rev. T. J. Sewell, vicar of the parish, and the remains of the deceased, which ere encased in a coffin of polished oak with brass furniture were lowered into a stained grave, the sides of which were lined with flowers, where a daughter of the deceased's lies buried.

The chief mourners were Mr. A. E. Filmer, Mr. P. W. Filmer, Mr. F. B. Filmer, Mr. and Mrs. E. Whitebread, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Millen, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Wildish, and Miss E. A. Filmer, members of the deceased's family; Mr. W. Filmer (Queenborough) and Mr. E. Filmer (Maidstone), cousins; Mr. W. Price (London) nephew; Mr. Wix (Faversham); Dr. P. Selby; Nurse Llwellyn, Nurse Kidd, Mr. W. Roper Dixon, Mr. W. G. Kennet, Mr John Thomas, Mr. J. French, J.P., Mr. P. Millen (Sheerness), Mr. W. Lees, Mr. G. Spicer, Mr. W. G. Crippen, Mr. A. George, Mr. F. Dalton, Mr J Wildash, the employees at the shop and farm and others.

There were a large number of floral tributes of affection and esteem, some of them being extremely handsome. They came from the Widow (who sent a cross and wreath, the cross being buried with the coffin), Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Filmer (Rochester), Mr. and Mrs. P. Filmer (Tunbridge Wells), Mr. and Mrs. Whitebread, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Millen, Mr. F. B. Filmer, Mr. and Mrs. L. Wildish, Mr. J (Jack) Filmer (Salonica), Miss Filmer and Captain Wheatley (Sussex Regt.); the grand children at Tunbridge Wells and the Sittingbourne grandchildren each sent a wreath, also did Kathleen Whitebread (another grandchild); and other beautiful mementoes came from Mrs. A. Millen (Sittingbourne), Miss Wheatley (Hampton Court), Mr. and Mrs. P Millen (Sheerness), Mr. F. Honeyball (Deal), Mrs. Jeffery and family (Tonbridge), Mr. and Mrs. W. Filmer (Queenborough), Mr. and Mrs. W. Price (Snaresbrook), Mr. A. Whitebread (Frindsbury), Mr. F. Whitebread (Rochester), Mr. and Mrs. Spicer and Mrs. Perrin (Lynsted), Mr. W. Heath (Rochester), Dr. and Mrs. Selby, the Rev. T. J. Sewell, Mr. and Mrs. J. Hinge (Beckenham), the employees of Mr. F. B. Filmer, the staff of Messrs. Millen Brothers, and Mr. and Mrs. Snashall (Bogle Farm).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. S. and G. George, Greenstreet."

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