To The Editor, Tower and Town, 23 November 2018

Letter From Colin Goldsmith

Dear Sir,

Thomas Maurice, whose tragic death is described in the November issue, was just one of a line of Maurice doctors and prominent citizens. There were three Dr Maurice's working in Marlborough when Dr Tim delivered my children.

Thomas' widow, Cicely - 'Mrs Tom' - continued to live at Manton Weir after his death. She was the last Patron of St George's, Preshute and her final act in this role was to appoint Dick Shorten as Vicar. The only condition was that once a year he should play bridge with Mrs Tom's sister-in-law Sylvia Maurice, of Manton Grange, on her birthday. Sylvia, when she attended St George's, always sat under the memorial plaque to her husband, Charles Maurice.

Tom and Cicely had three sons, all of whom lived in Manton when they retired. The eldest, Robin, was treasurer of St George's and steadily built up substantial reserves. When Anglican churches were suddenly required to pay for clergy pensions previously covered from endowments, many churches found themselves in crisis. St George's was well placed. Robin's wife, Eve, outlived him by several years and was a staunch member of the congregation.

The youngest son, Patrick, lived in Manton Mill. His daughter, Sally, was a good friend of my wife's when we first moved to Marlborough; she rented the servants' wing of Manton Grange. Sally's brother John Maurice lived more recently in Culvermead Close. He wrote several novels; a signed copy of one is in front of me as I write. He also published a book of stories of his childhood in Marlborough.

With so many overlapping links spanning the century, 1915 does not seem so remote.

Yours faithfully,

Colin Goldsmith

Colin Goldsmith