The Late Councillor Kingsmill

THE LATE COUNCILLOR KINGSMILL

DISTINGUISHED ANCESTORS

SORROW AND SYMPATHY

The announcement (made in our last issue) of the death of Councillor John Kingsmill was received with genuine regret by the townspeople generally, it being felt that by his demise, Folkestone had lost a useful public man.

The late Councillor belonged to a very old family. He was a descendant of John Kingsmill, one of the Judges of the Common Pleas in the fourteenth century, who married Joan, daughter of Sir John Gifford. Sir George Kingsmill, also one of the judges of the Common Pleas married Lady Hastings. Sir Richard Kingsmill was Surveyor of the Court of Wards in 1600, and was succeeded at his death by his son Sir William, and he by his son Henry, who died in 1625, being succeeded by his son Sir William. Other relatives in a direct line were associated with the Army and Navy. One was an Admiral who afterwards became M.P. for Tregony.

Coming to later days, the deceased’s Grandfather, Mr Comfort Kingsmill, died at Elmsted on the 14th April, 1883. He lived to the ripe old age of 98 yrs. and 9 mths. He was in every respect a fine specimen of the old English Gentleman, retaining the use of his faculties to the last. He was a member of the Established Church and in Politics he was a Conservative. This fine old man left behind him four sons and three daughters, forty-four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was interred at Elmsted Church, and amongst the wreaths sent on that occasion was one from Lady Honeywood at Elvington.

Councillor Kingsmill was passionately fond of children and this excellent trait was testified to at the funeral, when some little tots from the Sidney Street Infants Schools (in which the deceased too great interest) laid nosegays on his grave. In Christ Church Schools also he took the deepest interest, and did his best as manager to make it one of the foremost of elementary schools in the town.

Mrs. Kingsmill has been overwhelmed with letters from all classes. One of the communications is peculiarly gratifying to her. It is from a soldier to whom the late Councillor offered hospitality when he was stationed in this district. The writer says: “Your husband was one of God’s best. He possessed a brave soul.”

THE COUNCIL’S TRIBUTE

At a meeting of the Town Council at the Town Hall on Wednesday morning the Mayor (Sir Stephen Penfold) said it was his painful duty to refer to the loss of Councillor Kingsmill, who had been associated with the corporate body for a great number of years. He was both an enthusiastic and conscientious member. Perhaps they could not always agree with his views, but they were unanimous in the belief that he acted in accordance with the principles of right according to his light. His children had done their part during the war, one of his daughters having rendered excellent service in the W.A.A.F., whilst a son had gained a Commission in India. They deplored his loss and he moved a vote of sympathy with his widow and family.

Councillor W.J. King-Turner seconded. He said they did not always agree with their late colleague, but they always felt he was upright, honourable and conscientious – a valuable member. His one object was to do his duty as a citizen. He was, indeed, one of the straightest men in the town.

Councillor R. Forsyth endorsed all that had been said by the two previous speakers, and referred to the late Councillor Kingsmill’s good work on the Board of Guardians, particularly alluding to his visits to the children when at dinner at the Cottage Homes on Christmas Day. The Speaker had known him to leave his own fireside in order to be with those less fortunately situated. He was sorry that their colleague had gone. If Mr Kingsmill thought he was right, nothing would move him.

Alderman C. Jenner, J.P. said they had every reason to honour and respect the sterling qualities associated with their late colleague. He was a man who tried to do his duty faithfully, and they did not possess too many of that type of men. His passing away was a loss to the town.

The vote was passed in silence, all present upstanding.

At a meeting of the Land Cultivation Sub-Committee also deep regret at Councillor Kingsmill’s death was expressed, and a vote of sympathy with the relatives passed.