John Troutbeck
The Reverend Dr John Troutbeck, Minor Canon of Westminster 1869-1899, was buried in the East Cloister of Westminster Abbey. He was a son of George Troutbeck of Penrith and was educated at Rugby school and Oxford becoming vicar of Dacre in Cumbria and Minor Canon and Precentor at Manchester Cathedral. On 3rd September 1856 he married Elizabeth Forbes, sister of Robinson Duckworth, Sub-Dean of Westminster. He arranged many of the royal and special services at the Abbey including the 1887 Golden Jubilee service for Queen Victoria. He was editor of the Westminster Abbey Hymn Book in association with the Abbey organist Frederick Bridge. Prior to this publication hymns were not sung at any daily or Sunday services except the Sunday evening service. He also translated some of Wagner's operas into English. He was said to have a fine voice and clear enunciation. The gravestone inscription reads:
John Troutbeck D.D. Minor Canon of this Collegiate Church 1869 Precentor 1895: Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen. Born November 12 1832 Died October 11 1899 R.I.P. Also Elizabeth Forbes his wife Born January 29 1832 Died March 22 1923
At the top is the carved coat of arms of Troutbeck "azure three trouts fretted in triangle argent" with crest of a wolf's head.
Their children were John, Edith, Henry and Georgina. Son John, born 7th May 1860, was educated at Westminster School and Oxford. He became a solicitor and was Coroner of the City of Westminster 1888-1912 and Deputy High Bailiff of Westminster 1892-1912. He died on 29th February 1912 and after a service at St Margaret's Westminster was buried at Dacre. He married Harriet Monro. The baptism of his son George took place in 1891 (he served in France and Italy in the Great War, married Phyllis Beeching, and taught at Westminster School), of his daughter Margaret in 1892, John Monro in 1894 (he became an army officer and served in France and at Gallipoli and married Katherine Morley) and Katherine in 1898.
Edith married William Hadow in the Abbey in 1930.
Henry was born in 1866 and was educated at Westminster School and Cambridge and his wife was Ellen (Strickland). He was a physician and medical officer to the School and was on the Westminster City Council (his son Wilfred was baptised in the Abbey in 1902 and also attended the School). Henry wrote a book The Founders of Westminster Abbey and died in 1923, being buried at Brookwood cemetery after a funeral service at the Abbey.
Georgina Elizabeth wrote a book Westminster Abbey, 1899.
This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster
This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster