Mr Charles Morbey

1856 - 1938

Death Notice
Death of Mr C Morbey Well known Ex-Jockey & Agriculturist.
Many People over a wide area will learn with surprise and regret of the passing of Mr Charles Morbey, of Addison House, Soham. Mr Morbey had been confined to his bed only since Sunday last and his death occurred on Wednesday. He was in his 83rd year, but had the appearance, and until quite recently, the gait of a considerably younger man. At one time Mr Morbey was a very successful Jockey and a prominent figure in racing circles. Less well known is the fact that many cases of distress were relieved by him without the folk concerned ever knowing who was their '' Friend in need ''. Beechurst now the Soham Grammar School, was built by him and used for sometime as his residence. previously Mr & Mrs Morbey had lived at the Moat House, where tragedy overtook them in the loss of a Son, who was drowned in the Nearby river. Mr Morbey was at one time a large Land owner and farmed extensively. He was also a prominent member of the Conservative Party. Mrs Morbey ( Formerly a Miss Grainger and a member of a well known local Family ) predeceased her Husband several years ago. The Funeral takes place at Soham tomorrow ( Saturday )at 3pm.

As a Jockey, Mr Morbey rode in the days of Fred Archer and George Fordham. After he retired from the saddle he had considerable success as an Owner and Backer. Among the Horses which he owned were Czardas, Winner of the Royal Hunt Cup in 1904, and Red Eyes, which ran a dead heat for first place in the Cesarewitch in 1893. Mr Morbey also took a keen interest in coursing, and was associated with the training of some winners of the Waterloo Cup.
Reported in the Newmarket Journal, 12th November 1938.

Obituary
The Late Mr Charles Morbey
Funeral at Soham.
The internment took place at the Soham Cemetery on Saturday afternoon of Mr Charles Morbey, of Addison House, Soham and who's death was announced in our issue of last week. The Rev. P.F.Boughey, Vicar of Soham officiated, assisted by the Rev J. Cook ( Curate ).
The immediate Mourners were, Mr H J Morbey & Mr C E Morbey ( Sons ), Mrs L H A Adams & Mrs C H Ford ( Daughters ), Mr A Granger ( Nephew ), Mr L H Adams, Mr C H Ford ( Sons-in-Law ) & Mrs E Hull.
Others present included, Mr S Moore, Miss Moore, Mr T M Ennion, Mr Wm Winter, M.B.E. ( Chief Constable of Cambs ), Mr & Mrs Lionel Eagle ( Friston ), Mr Edward Leonard ( Chairman, Soham Parish Council ), Mr O S Ambrose ( Stuntney Hall ), Mr W W Light ( Representing the Cambs. Conservative & Unionist Association ), Mr W A Slack, Mr B Slack, Mr J Cowell, Mr S J Lines ( Soham Comrades Club ), Dr H C Nickson, Mr Crickett, Mr W Wenden ( Barclays Bank ), Mr E C L Nicholls ( Messrs Bendall & Sons ), Mr S A Jaggard ( Kentford ), Mr & Mrs R Morton, Mr H Hovall ( Ely ), Capt. & Mrs W A Sharpe, Miss Hills, Mrs Gamble, Mrs F C Staples, Mr W B Barker, Mr J Birtwell, Mr J Staples, Mr G Tidy, Mr & Mrs J G Stockley, Mr A Rouse Snr, Mr C Jackson, Mr R Morley, Mr Palmer, Mr J Gibson, Mr R Peake, Mr F Hatch, Mr W D Manning, Mr G C Greensmith, Mr E Elsden, Miss O Elsden, Mrs H Rouse, Mr W Rouse, Mr Edw Rouse, Mr E Rouse, Mr J R Fletcher, Mr W Wake, Mr G Crick, Mr F Crick ( Ex Gardener to Mr Morbey ), Mr Chivers, Mr W Liles, Mr G S Kennedy, Mr R Banyard, Mrs S Newman, Mrs Pluck, Mrs Solkon, etc. Police Sergeant Housden and P.C. Wren were on duty at the Cemetery gates.
The Coffin of polished oak with brass fittings over an elm shell, was inscribed '' Charles Morbey, Died November 10th 1938 aged 82 years ''. Messrs Robert Tebbitt & Son ( Soham ) carried out the Funeral arrangements.
Beautiful floral tributes bore the following inscriptions.
In Loving Memory of Father, Murial, Win & Jack. With Love from Cyril, Gladys & Charles. In Remembrance from Arthur & Eva. In Loving Memory of Uncle Morbey from Rowley & Willie. Dear Granddad with much love from Marjorie, Primrose & Joy. To Dear Granddad  from Mary & Ann. In Loving Memory from Muriel & Willie. With Deepest Sympathy from Fred & Mrs Crick. In Remembrance Mr & Mrs Lionel Eagle. In Remembrance A E Cutchey & Family. With Sincere Sympathy Mrs Newton & Miss Townsend. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs J Martin & Family. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs I Palmer ( Art ) & Family. In Remembrance Mr & Mrs R A Morton & Family. In Affectionate Remembrance Mr & Mrs R J Peak. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs Hull. With Deepest Sympathy from the Members, Soham Comrades Club. Mr & Mrs Bland. with Sympathy. In Remembrance Dr & Mrs  H C Nickson. In Remembrance of one of the best, from Nurse Clark. With Deepest Sympathy Miss Chandler. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs Neill. For Remembrance E B Hull. With Deepest Sympathy from the Members of The Soham Comrades Band. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs Edw Leonard. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs H Chivers & Family. With Sincere Sympathy Mr & Mrs E R Ennion. In Loving Memory from Mr & Mrs Stanley Bobby. In Memory from Soham Town F.C. With Deepest Sympathy Mr & Mrs R L George. In Deepest Sympathy from Mrs H J Newport & Mr & Mrs H A Newport. In Remembrance Mrs Percy Eagle & Family. In Kind Remembrance from Clement Gage. With Deep Sympathy Mr & Mrs T M Ennion. In Kind Remembrance from Mr & Mrs H W Townsend. With Heartfelt Sympathy from Mr & Mrs J Crack. Three Wreaths bore no inscription.
Reported in the Newmarket Journal 19th November 1938.

The above was donated by Mr Geoffrey Woollard.
It was reported above that Mr & Mrs Morbey lost a Son , but it should read a Daughter. Who Drowned in The Moat
The following was reported in the Cambridge Chronicle on 25th May 1895.
At the Moat - Nora Kathleen Morbey died aged 21 months. An Inquest was held by the County Coroner Mr A J Lyon at the house of Mr Morbey. Mr Morbey identified the Deceased as his Daughter. He left her with Nurse Stigwood whilst he and his Family went to Elsworth. Margaret Stigwood of Newmarket, occasional Nurse at Mr Morbeys said she was in charge of the Deceased on Sunday last and left her on the steps of the Breakfast room door. Mrs Collins was near and Witness went upstairs and on returning Mrs Collins inquired where the Child was. They hunted everywhere and at last met Bailey, with her in his arms. She was wet and Dr Cockerton was sent for. Thomas Bailey, Labourer said about 4.45 he found Deceased in a moat and got her out at once, he did not know how she got there. Mr Richard Cockerton said on Sunday about 5.10 he was called to the Deceased and found her dead from drowning.
Verdict - Accidently Drowned.