The birthday Present
David Bridgeman-Sutton tells of a teenage boy's unusual request.
1: St Mary, Winchfield. (thanks to Dr Mercia Bradley and the late Revd Kenneth Bradley)
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“What would you like for a present?”
Most people, and parents especially, have had unexpected answers to this question. Spencer Charrington, squire of Winchfield, Hampshire, and his wife, probably had in mind a list of possible answers when they asked their son, Harold, about his forthcoming 16th birthday in 1902. A pair of shotguns by a leading maker; binoculars for his hobby of bird-watching - not then known as twitching; a suitable mount for his proposed career in the cavalry; or perhaps one of the new motor-cars then beginning to penetrate rural areas?
The young Etonian’s choice must have amazed them: it was a new pipe organ for the village church, where the Charringtons occupied the family pew Sunday by Sunday. The instrument then in use was a harmonium. Its sounds contrasted sadly with those of the recently-built organ in Eton chapel. (This organ by William Hill, builder of Christchurch Anglican Cathedral organ). |
2. 12th Lancers at Aldersgot Review pre- 1914 (Courtesy 12 Lancers collection, Derby City Museum; ref DBYMU 1990-39.)
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A Hill organ for St Mary’s was Harold Charrington’s ambition. Its fulfilment provided a puzzle, for the Norman church* is small (pic.1), despite the later addition of a tower and North aisle; no floor space could be spared. The only solution was to place the instrument on brackets above the tower arch and provide a detached console where the harmonium had stood, within that arch. Hill’s excellent pneumatic action connected the two parts and the result was a great success. The instrument was described in a number of journals and text books of the time.
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12th Lancers, by Richard Simkin. (Copyright of Cranston Fine Arts)
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For Harold Charrington, Eton was followed by Sandhurst and a Commission into the 12 th Lancers. The splendid uniform he wore in days of peace (pic. 2) was put away for the World War 1, in the course of which he won the Military Cross and bar. Later he wrote a history of the Regiment and went on to a successful career and regular promotion. On the way, he continued to receive unusual gifts; for his 21 st birthday, the bells of St Mary’s were rehung and his wedding was marked by the laying down of tennis courts for the use of villagers.
In World War 2, as Brigadier, he commanded 1st tank brigade and, subsequently, 42nd Lancashire Infantry division when it converted to tanks. Later, he was ADC to Field Marshal (afterwards Lord) Alan Brooke. The latter’s published War Diaries contain numerous references to “Rollie” Charrington, occasionally in connection with shared bird-watching expeditions. A DSO was added to the Brigadier’s WW1 Military Cross.
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In post-war years, he retired to Winchfield House, connection with the Army being continued by his son, Gerald (picture 3) who, with his young family joined him in the family pew whenever military duty allowed. The sermons of the then Rector, models of clarity and conciseness, and the beautiful reading of the lessons by the Brigadier, from the Authorised Version, attracted considerable congregations to Sunday service. at a church that John Betjeman described as "remote". The organ, by then over half a century old, continued to perform in an exemplary way. The sole problem for the organist was that of balancing an overhead instrument against a congregation behind and facing away from the player. One could become over-enthusiastic, until gently checked by Dr Mercia Bradley.
During a recent overhaul, problems of balance were overcome when the console was removed to the North aisle: now the instrument is used in annual Winchfield Festivals. The place has changed since the Brigadier made his daily rounds on horseback; its memory is precious. Two members of the family moved to New Zealand after WW2 and now live, respectively as Market Gardeners at Makauri and as farmers at Kanakaia. Norman Chancel arch and doorway and an engraved window by Laurence Whistler make a detour from the nearby M3 well worth while. |
3: Brigadier HVS Charrington (right) with Gerald Charrington. (Thanks to Major Gerald Charrington)
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David Bridgeman-Sutton,
January, 2007
January, 2007
Footnote: Philip Bailey draws attention to the fact that Field Marshal Alan Brooke, faced with the need to choose a title when he was ennobled, slightly rearranged his name and was thereafter known as Viscount Alanbrooke. Philip adds that another Peer’s title created some embarrassment: he says “Lord de L’Isle and Dudley (see Penshurst Place website) once arrived at an RAF dinner and found two places had been set for him. . .”
Let’s hope his appetite was good.
PS: Editorial note: The church at Winchfield also hit the headlines when a 1950's wedding featured a 10-year-old best man with a 12-year old organist who played the only piece he knew: the theme tune from the long-running radio programme, The Archers.
Let’s hope his appetite was good.
PS: Editorial note: The church at Winchfield also hit the headlines when a 1950's wedding featured a 10-year-old best man with a 12-year old organist who played the only piece he knew: the theme tune from the long-running radio programme, The Archers.
