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- Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday, January 15, 1937
Late Mr. W.H. Bassett
His Long Association With Public And Social Life Of Frant
Mr. William Henry Bassett, for nearly 40 years Clerk to the Parish Council of Frant, and a member of one of the best known families in East Sussex, passed away on Wednesday at his residence, Church View, Frant. He was 64 years of age.
A son of the late Mr. Henry Bassett, of the George Hotel, he had lived in Frant all his life. He was very well-known throughout the district and could well have been described as the ?Mayor of Frant,? because of his many activities on behalf of the parish.
He was a Past Grand and Trustee of the St. Alban?s Lodge of Oddfellows, and Senior Trustee and Past Prov. Grand master of the Tunbridge Wells District of Oddfellows. At one time he was Secretary of the Juvenile Section.
He had been Clerk to the Parish Council of Frant for nearly 40 years, and was Assistant Overseer until the change-over took place some years ago, when a presentation was made to him. His brother, Mr. Geo. Bassett, and son, Mr. Frank Bassett, are both members of the Parish Council, which he served so faithfully and well.
He was Secretary of the Frant Bowls Club from its inception, and had always identified himself with the Cricket and Football Clubs.
It was mainly through his energy that the Frant Memorial Hall came into being, and he played a large part in raising funds for the Hall and later in running it. Until recently he also ran the Boys? Club.
A prime mover in the Jubilee celebration at Frant, he was looking forward to helping in the Coronation festivities.
Mr. Bassett started life as a pupil teacher at Frant School, and also taught at St. Leonards, but on the death of his father he took over the business at Frant.
He had been in failing health since 1933, but had managed to get about until nine months ago, and was still attending to his duties to within a few weeks of his death.
He leaves a widow, three sons and four daughters.
The funeral take place at Frant Church tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.30.
AN APPRECATION
In the passing of Mr. W.H. Bassett, Frant has lost one of its most vivid and forceful personalities.
The late Mr. W.H. Bassett was the son of Mr. Henry Bassett, who migrated to Frant almost a century ago.
This much-respected family has, during these long years, rendered many services to the public life of this beautiful Sussex village.
Mr. Bassett, who was born not many yards from the old historic house from where he passed to his last rest, started life as a teacher, but abandoned the profession to enter one of this father?s businesses. As Parish Clerk and Rating Officer, and in many voluntary capacities, he worked steadfastly and unremittingly for the welfare and betterment of his native village of which he was so proud.
Of his time, thought, energy and money he gave generously and worked assidiuously in any good cause in the village life.
This fine, upstanding figure of a man, with his ever bright and jovial smile and cheery word, will be greatly missed. To see him with children and flowers, so much beloved by him, was to realise the softer and tenderer side of his nature.
Perhaps his strong personality can be best summed up in three words ? Upright, Outright and Downright.
Long may Frant flourish while it can breed men of such fine calibre.
William Henry Bassett Sussex
1901 British Census of Rose Cottage, Frant, Sussex
William H. Bassett 28 M Head Frant, Sussex Grocery Shopkeeper
Alice 26 F Wife St. Leonards
Harry 2 M Son Frant, Sussex
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1873 - 1937 (~ 64 years)