Augustus Leney (1915)

Post date: Jan 25, 2014 3:26:30 PM

Extract from Parish Magazine January 1916

IN MEMORIAM.

The parish and neighbourhood, indeed the county, has sustained a great loss in the death of Mr. Augustus Leney, which occurred about a month ago, a few days after an accident in the hunting field. Our friends abroad will be sorry to read this sad news. Mr. Leney will long be remembered in the parish as a large employer of labour, and as a kindly master. No scheme or project was started in the place for the welfare of the people but it received his whole-hearted and generous support, and he was always ready to give of his time as well as of his sympathy and his means. For many years he served as Vicar's Churchwarden. In a wider sphere also, as well as at home, he will be remembered as a genuine unselfish sportsman: no Master of Hounds was ever more truly repeated, and beloved, by those over whose land he ran than was "Mr. Gus."

The Times runs a short obituary on him on March 27 1916 noting the gross value of the estate he left as £92,870 and his net personalty as £89, 627.

It is possible that it was Augustus Leney who was satirised by Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967) in his autobiographcal novel "Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man" . Siegfried was born 8 miles away from Wateringbury in Matfield and was a keen hunter.

The Kent Messenger carried the news of his death on 5^th November, 1915, summarised below:

Report on death of Augustus Leney on Wednesday evening as a result of an accident with the Linton Beagles on Saturday at Boughton Montchelsea. Aged 69. Was master of Mid Kent Stag Hounds for 15 years. Member of KCC and Medway Conservancy Board.

Inquest held at Orpines on Friday in billiard room conducted by T. Buss, County Coroner. Bertram Leney of Bell cottage, West Farleigh stated that father enjoyed excellent health for man of 69.

“Monsieur Paul Lambert, who is staying at the Orpines, said that their meet on Saturday was at Chart Sutton.”

Probate record: Augustus Leney - died 3 Nov. 1915. Probate to Kate Leney - widow, Edward Leney - Brewer, Herbert Green - Paper Manufacturer , William Godden - Solicitor £92, 807 2s 4d, Resworn - £ 96,714 5s 4d