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Fifth Generation

NORMAN LESLIE CHARLES KLITZ
26 October 1888 - 07 January 1956

 

Fifth son of William Lawson and Ellen Gossling.
Married Christine Alice Eede (25 July 1901 " 21 June 1995) on 04 July 1924 at St. Clements Bournemouth.

Four children
Stewart William (Bill) " 02 July " 1925 to 23 December 1993
Betty Christine " 09 July 1929 " 14 January 2014
Robert Eede " 21 August 1931 " 01 August 2013
Caroline Phoebe " 20 December 1933 " to date

Leslie was a chorister at Winchester Cathedral. He was obviously a budding poet even at this young age.

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL " 1897-1903

"A CHORISTER'S CONFESSION"

 
I still have those inspired notions
Of architectural holiness and beauty.
That plain and sombre tomb of Rufus
Forbidding resurrection.
Carved effigies grinned down on our devotions.
Robed and venerable clergy holy and serene
Stood motionless in Choir stalls
So like the figures on the screen.
I sang a weak and piping treble on Decani
And often wondered how I passed the test.
I sang by ear in tune and tempo blindly,
Thoughts far away in dreamy rest.
The sunlight shafts at Matins and lights at Evensong.
Echoing of the Organ’s great crescendos
Plunged to depths which shook the windows,
Angry and impatient, now rising calm and comforted,
Repentant on the Choir Manual.
Years of Plainsong, prayerful and joyful Praise,
Attuned my soul to better ways.
Though oft I’d fallen short, I might have fallen deeper.
That is how I know He heard me, my Creator.

N. Leslie C. Klitz.

 

Newspaper article for Leslie and Christine's wedding

The marriage was quietly solemnised at St. Clement's Church, Bournemouth, of Mr. Norman Leslie Charles Klitz, fifth son of Mr William Lawson Klitz, music dealer of the High Street Lymington and Miss Christine Eede, fifth daughter of Mr Charles Eede, of St. Clement's Gardens, Bournemouth.

The bride, who was given away by her father, wore an ivory coloured knitted silk suit, with shoes and stockings to match and a cerise hat trimmed with a sash of ivory georgette. She carried a beautiful bouquet of cerise and white sweet peas. The best man was the bridegroom's brother, Mr Stewart G. Klitz. Later Mr and Mrs Klitz left by motor for their honeymoon in Devonshire, the bride wearing a lacquer red knitted silk suit, with hat and shoes to match. They were the recipients of numerous handsome presents.


The main picture of Leslie was taken by Betty, while on a visit to Bournemouth Gardens. These treats included the Ice Rink or Pier Approach Baths followed by tea and walnut cake at Fullers, sometimes supper in Christchurch on the way home. Betty goes on to say that Leslie introduced her to Operas performed at the Pavillion and many musical concerts. Air shows were a favourite of Leslie's and they all went in the Austin Seven !!

Leslie as a young boy with other family members

Leslie was very fond of the dog in the picture that was called 'Ossian'. Carol has since discovered that 'Ossian' was the name of a 3rd Century Celtic poet from Ireland

Leslie had polio when he was about three years old which left him with a withered leg. He managed to wangle a couple of years in Queen Victoria's Rifles because he wrapped a second puttee around his thin leg to disguise it, but his ruse was eventually discovered and prevented him continuing in the army in 1914.

Leslie was a Freemason. He was a piano craftsman and served his apprenticeship at Collard & Collard piano manufacturers in London. Though he was fully qualified to tune pianos, his ear was understood not to be especially good for this purpose. He was superb at restoring pianos throughout, including player pianos in which he took over Edgar Hopkinson's instruction. Subsequently he relied upon Edgar as a contractor, to undertake all his harpsichord and organ business.

Leslie at 88 High Street, Lymington

Leslie undertook gramophone, record and wireless Agency when these first came on the market, pursuing the radio evolution in its progression to television, backed up by up full servicing facilities, along with the piano trade until his death.

Leslie with his family at 88 High Street

 

Camp Pie

BEING THE ADVENTURES
OF
W.CLARKE      C.G.GRAHAM
C.G.HAWES

ON THE BEDFORD OUSE,
ADJACENT TO THE VILLAGE OF
WILLINGTON
JULY 1908

WRITTEN
AND INSCRIBED TO THE THREE
BY THEIR FOURTH PARTY,
LESLIE KLITZ

WITH BEST WISHES FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND
A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-

XMAS 1908

The train and the rain
When the boys, with their noise,
Went to camp in the damp.
The gear, and no fear
Of the rub of no grub.
The tent at low rent.
A feed and a weed
Round the lamp in the camp.
The milk, and the guilt
Of sly drink at the brink.
Of the jug, without mug.
Fetch water, see daughter,
The charm of the farm.
She smiled and beguiled us
With luscious sweet blushes.
The nobs with the nods,
And the fish at a wish.
The canoe and "Helloo".
When in sluice we let loose.
In the lock without rock.
For a bathe we did crave.
So the bold, in the cold,
All shivers and quivers,
Felt the nip of a dip.
Nice? Cold as ice.
The walks and the talks.
And the fun without gun.
Week gone in a sweep.
Rain cleared, boys cheered.
Afloat in the boat.
For a muse on the Ouse.
Through rushes and bushes.
The sound of "aground".
The shout of "Get out".
Or sit still or a spill.
“Mind this stump, or we’ll bump”
The wrangles and tangles
In weeds and long reeds.
The bathes and no waves.
But the whim of a swim
Against current and torrent.
The delight on cold night
Of the four and the roar
Of the lamp of the camp.
The sitting and splitting.
O’er jokes and the smokes.
Now in bed while one read.
We got bored and soon snored,
And some waked as tent quaked.
In the sieze of the breeze.
Get up and get up.
And righten and tighten.
Blundering o’er slumbering.
In gropes for the ropes.
Now sentry, stop entry.
That horse in his course.
Or he’ll mix up and fix up.
His legs with our pegs.
The last night, funny sight.
Worse than cats were the rats.
Which we baited and waited.
And threatened with weapon.
To extermine first vermin.
Which tampers with hampers.
Then Saturday, drat the day.
Square up and flare up.
Back to town with a frown.
(For politeness, this line omitted.)
Then the photos and "What Ho'a' ".
The slang of our gang.
When we learnt they were burnt.
For through hurry and worry.
And sprints to get prints.
Sun had tipped 'em and pipped 'em.
Now these times put in rhymes
Are briefly and chiefly
Penned just to send
To the three who agree
With one more who is sure
That they never have, ever
Spent in a tent
Better time more sublime
Than that camp, spite of the damp.

-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:-


The Lymington Times Obituary

Late Mr. Leslie Klitz - Prominent Lymington Resident
Funeral Service at Parish Church

There was a large attendance at Lymington Parish Church on Wednesday for the funeral service of Mr. Norman Leslie Charles Klitz, well-known businessman in the town and a prominent Freemason. The service at which the Vicar, the Rev. C. H. Bostock officiated, with Mr. H. Wakeford playing organ music, preceded cremation at Bournemouth.

Mr. Klitz, a Lymingtonian, died in Lymington Hospital on Saturday aged 67. He was senior director in the firm of Klitz Ltd., of High Street, Lymington, music dealers. The family business was established in the town in 1789. Whilst at school Mr Klitz was a chorister in Winchester Cathedral. He was afterwards apprenticed to Collard & Collard, the London piano manufacturers, and then joined the Lymington business.

Masonic Offices
In Freemasonry Mr Klitz was a Grand Lodge Officer for the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and held several offices in local lodges, being a Past Master of the New Forest Lodge which he joined in 1920.

Mr Klitz had also been a keen supporter of Lymington Hospital and was actively associated with the work of Lymington Rotary Club and the Community Association. There are two sons, Messrs S. W. and R. E. Klitz and two daughters, Mrs B. C. Green and Mrs. C. P. Harding.

Principal mourners attending the funeral were the sons, Messrs. Raymond and J. N. Klitz (nephews), Mr J. M. C. Harding (son-in-law) and Mr. R. Ashby (representing Flight Lieutenant and Mrs Green. Wor, Bro. G. C. A. Kirkman of New Milton represented Dr W. Attenborough the Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Also among the congregation were a large number of brethren from the New Forest, Powney and other Lodges of Freemasons.

Large congregation
In the assembly were Messrs Michael Lawes, H. W. Spong (Ringwood), C. Scott, C. Fuller, R. Scott, H. B. Longman, A. J. Stokes, C. P. Blunt, G. Wieland, E. G. Thoday, F. G. Hayward, A. Y. Hayward, A. J. Austin, F. S. Butcher, G. P. Pearce, W. B. Cross, R. Knight, J. Spracklen, G. N. Spencer, J. S. Wiltshire, (also representing I. Lee) E. V. M. Powell, A. J. Cox, J. F. Gamble, (also representing J. F. Pring and H. Rock), C. T. Golesworthy.
W. C. Orman (and representing Mrs Orman), F. L. Knight, S. Gates, A. L. Baigent, C. N. Banks, F. J. Williams, S. Pickett, W. H. Dyer (representing Mrs Dyer), R. H. Hole and J. W. Beagley (Lymington Community Association, Mr Beagley also representing Mr Osmond Hill), Cecil Whistance, E. King and E. C. Fordham (Lymington Rotary Club), I. K. Sylvester, P. E. Finch, A. E. Jones, F. Page (and representing W. J. W. Broomfield), E. P. M. Moody, A. W. N. Cowper, W. C. G. Hoar (Lymington and Pennington Ratepayers Association).
A. Lord, H. V. Angeli, L. F. Hope-Jones, Hugh Stone, G. E. Dennett (and representing W. J. Hopkins), S. J. Walton, W. Harding, H. K. Clark, V. O. Arnold, (and representing Mr & Mrs G. W. Arnold), W. Bowers, R. Briggs, E. W. Broome, W. I. Rutter, S. H. Lawrence, F. J. Beauchamp, F. C. Webb (and representing P. Davis), S. J. Robinson (and representing C. J. Robinson and the Masonic Bowling Association).

Other Friends
L. M. Enticott, L. C. Orchard, W. Symons, W. H. Leigh, W. G. Pyke, D. C. Blatchley, F. C. Price, W. H. Hackwell, T. C. Bannister, J. Edwards, A. E. Smith, E. Smith, L. A. West, W. J. Bryant, D. E. Hayter, V. Dennett, H. B. Tobutt (and representing Mrs Tobutt), J. Bowman, D. Samways, R. W. G. Burt, G. Bolton, Rowland Hill, J. E. H. Brown, A. E. Woodford, R. F. Manning, H. J. Cobb and A. Figgures.
The Rev. E. H. Hibbert, Mrs de Mowbray, Mrs H. R. Rowe, Miss Stevens, Miss Carpenter, Major P. B. Allott, Mrs James Edwards, Mrs William Hayward, Mrs Kenneth Hunt (and representing Mrs. L. E. Harvell), Mrs. Beagley, Mr & Mrs L. L. Marshall.
Miss Wort, Miss Molly Arnold (and representing Mrs Walter Arnold), Mr & Mrs C. D. Smith, Mr & Mrs Herbert Rand (and representing Mr & Mrs H. W. Rand and Lymington Inner Wheel), Miss Puplett, Mr & Mrs H. R. T. Blundell, Miss Head, Mrs Creagh-Osborne (and representing Miss Sylvia Watson), Mrs Sellick and Mrs R. Stevens.

Leslie and Christine's children

Stewart William Betty Christine Robert Eede Caroline Phoebe

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Norman Leslie