Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- CWGC and other headstones -
- St Lawrence -
- St Lawrence Church : Jack Edward Bartrum -

MR. J.E. BARTRUM (eldest son of the Rector of St. Lawrence, the Rev. E.S. Bartrum) of Keble College, Oxford, having obtained his degree, has been appointed an Assistant District Commissioner in the Sudan. He left England to take up his new appointment yesterday (Thursday) and good wishes of his friends in the district will be with him in his new sphere of work. During his residence at Oxford Mr. Bartrum has frequently played for the University at Rugby Football.

ENGAGEMENT OF MISS JOAN BARTRUM. - The engagement is announced between Ronald Charles, only son of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Arendt, of Victoria Drive, Wimbledon, and Joan Agnes Simmonds, only daughter of the Rev. E.S. and Mrs. Bartrum of The Rectory, St. Lawrence.

The Parish Church of St. Lawrence was crowded on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Joan Bartrum to Mr. Ronald Arendt on Saturday, November 4th, at 1-45 p.m.
The Church was very beautifully decorated. Harisii lilies adorned the Altar. The chancel was banked with masses of lovely pale pink chrysanthemums; the staves (sic) on either side filled with Harisii lilies.
The Clergy and the Choir preceded the bride up the aisle singing the hymn "Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us." .
The bride, who looked radiantly happy, was dressed in crêpe romaine in a pastel clover shade, with a short coat of the same material effectively trimmed with snow-leopard fur. Her turban was of crêpe and velvet with accessories to tone. She wore a diamond brooch, the gift of the bridegroom, and a spray of exquisite miniature orchids.
The bridegroom was in the uniform of the Royal Air Force. The best man was Mr. Frederick Walker of the Royal Tank Corps.
Mr. Peter Bartrum gave his sister away.
The hymn "Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven" was sung at the close of the service. The officiating clergy were the Rev. E.S. Bartrum, Rector of St. Lawrence, father of the bride, the Rev. Dr. McKew and the Rev. Basil Rust.
The organist, Mr. H.F. Smith, A.R.C.O., presided at the organ, and played the Bridal March from "Lohengrin" (Wagner) at the beginning and Mendelssohn's Wedding March at the end of the service.

The tragic death of Flight-Lieutenant Jack E. Bartrum, R.A.F.V.R, referred to on another page, has aroused much sorrow in St. Lawrence and Ventnor this week, and the heartfelt sympathy of a host of friends has been extended to Mrs. Bartrum, who, only ten months ago, was called upon to suffer the loss of her husband, the Rev. E.S. Bartrum, the beloved Rector of St. Lawrence. F/Lt. Jack Bartrum was a deservedly popular figure in the district, and his death, at the early age of 28 years, is sincerely deplored.

Mrs. E.S. Bartrum, of St. Lawrence, received the distressing news on Sunday that her eldest son, Flight Lieutenant Jack Edward Bartrum, R.A.F.V.R., had lost his life on active service this month following an operational flight.
It is a painful task to record such a tragedy. Jack Bartrum was beloved by all who knew him; he was a man of high ideals, always exerting an influence for good amongst all with whom he associated; and the sad news of his death has come with stunning effect on all who were following his career with growing interest.
Born at St. Lawrence 28 years ago last November, he was educated at Felstead and Keble College, Oxford, where he took his degree. At one time he had contemplated making banking a career, and with this in view he was for a short time at the Midland Bank at Ventnor. He changed his mind, however, and subsequently received an appointment to the Sudan Political Service, in which he held the position of Assistant District Commissioner with marked ability and with every prospect of future advancement. Then came the war, and at the time of Italy's entrance into the conflict the young man could not resist the call of his country, and he obtained the consent of the authorities to release him for service in the R.A.F.
In her overwhelming sorrow Mrs. Bartrum has been greatly comforted by the many messages of sympathy she has received. The Wing Commander of the Squadron to which her son was attached wrote : "We all admired his keen spirit and terrific enthusiasm. He will be very much missed by everyone here."
An especially fine tribute to the deceased officer's memory came from the Flight Commander : "It would be presumptuous for me to speak to you of his great qualities, which you must know far better than anyone else. He was a constant source of good humour and kindly influence on the other pilots. His glorious personality always cheered our hearts. He set a good example by his enthusiasm to fly and fight for his ideals, with no worry for himself, no thought of advancement, and no fear of danger. He was jubilantly pleased to be in an operational squadron. He will be a great loss to us and to the world after the war, especially to Africa, where his great-hearted administration was already highly valued."
Flight Lieutenant Bartrum paid his last visit to St. Lawrence a fortnight ago. One of his brothers, Peter, who is engaged in the R.A.F. reserve boat service, happened to be home on leave at the time of the tragedy. The other brother, Bob, is training to be a pilot in Canada, whilst their only sister, Joan - Mrs. Arendt - is living with her husband, an R.A.F. officer, at Washington, U.S.A.
The body of Flight Lieut. Bartrum was brought to St. Lawrence on Tuesday and placed in the chapel of the church to await the funeral.
This took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, in the presence of a full congregation of friends and sympathisers. The service was conducted by Dr. R. McKew, former Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, and the Rev. W. Forster Haire, Priest in charge of the parish.
The chief mourners were Mrs. Bartrum (mother), Mr. Peter Bartrum (of the R.A.F. Sea Rescue Service), Dr. and Mrs. Emrys Jones (uncle and aunt), and two officers from the deceased's squadron, Flying Officer Rymills, D.F.C., D.F.M., and Flying Officer McCarf, D.F.C., M.M. Among others present were :
(the list of mourners has not been transcribed)
The impressive and dignified service included the singing of "O Valiant Hearts," the 23rd Psalm, "O Love that will not let me go," and the Nunc Dimittis as the coffin was borne from the church by the following officers of the R.A.F. : F/L Yalden, F/O Slack, F/O Timmings, P/O's Morton, Clarke and Hague, R.C.A.F. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack. The lesson was read by Dr. McKew and the prayers by the Rev. Forster Haire.
The body was laid to rest in the beautiful churchyard Dr. Mckew taking the committal. A R.A.F. firing party under the command of Sergt. Grant fired three volleys at the graveside, and an Army bugler sounded the Last Post and the Reveille. After the personal mourners had filed past the open grave the Air Force personnel passed in single file and gave a farewell salute.
There were many floral tributes, including those sent from all ranks of the Squadron to which the deceased was attached, from another R.A.F station, the men's and women's sections of the British Legion at Ventnor, the British Legion Canteen, I.W. Rugby Club, St Lawrence Mothers; Union, etc.