FORMER HOLME SPORTSMAN

Late Mr. D. Geddes

The death occurred on Sunday in the Royal Lancaster Infirmary of Mr. David Geddes, aged 83 years, 7, Farleton View, Holme. A native of Dundee, Mr. Geddes came to Holme more than 80 years ago with his parents who were employed in the carpet industry by Messrs. E. Shepherd and Son, at Holme Mills, Holme. He began work as a half-timer at these mills at the age of ten, working as a coir matting weaver for 60 years. In 1903 he married Miss Minnie Prill, elder daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Everard Oliver Prill, Farleton View, Holme.

Mr. Geddes was one of the outstanding sportsmen of his time. In addition to playing rugby for the local club, he also played for the Lancaster and Leeds rugby clubs and gained a Westmorland county cap. On the occasion of his marriage, he was presented with a wall clock by the Holme Club in recognition of his services. A keen cricketer, he played for the village team and later turned to umpiring, officiating with the North Lancashire League before returning to the local club as umpire, in which capacity he continued until the outbreak of the last war. He was a life member of Holme Cricket Club.

His other sporting activities extended to skating and swimming and billiards and snooker, which he played at the Working Men’s Club, of which he was a life member. In 906 he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Certificate for rescuing a young girl from the canal.

The funeral, at Holy Trinity Church, Holme, on Wednesday, was conducted by the Rev. J. C. Philips, Vicar of Burton and was attended by many of his former workmates from Holme Mills.

Mr. Geddes is survived by his wife and two married daughters – Mrs. F. Brown, Holme, and Mrs. V. Gorman, Shap. His only son died as a result of a road accident in 1932.