Page 30 • The HERALD • 17th July 2025 v THE HERALD - YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE v Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom with free design service Tel: 023 8084 3787 Email: showroom@pcbuildingsupplies.co.uk Web: www.pcbuildingsupplies.co.uk THE LIFE OF DR HENRY MATURIN by Robin Somes, Fawley and Blackfield Memories In the previous article, we met Dr Henry Maturin, who is mainly recorded locally as having attended the scene of various tragic accidents and suicides. However, there is rather a lot more to the good Doctor, as we shall see, so we’ll step away from the general theme of tragedy for just a while. Henry Maturin was born in 1842 in Co. Donegal, Ireland, into a large and much-intermarried family on the edges of the aristocracy, many of whose members were vicars. His mother, Anna, died just a few weeks a er his birth, and soon a er, his father Benjamin was appointed as a Curate, rst in Bedfordshire, then Ringwood, and nally Lymington, where he served as Vicar from 1869 to 1905, and was much loved and respected. Henry, declining to follow his father, studied medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, and was appointed a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1864, aged 22. By 1868, Henry had moved to Fawley, and that year he married Elizabeth Grace Davy – the ceremony was carried out in Ringwood by his father, Benjamin. eir rst child, Violet, was born in Fawley in December 1870; their son, Francis, was born the following year. Late in 1873, Henry was elected as medical o cer of the Hartley Wintney Union Workhouse, moving from Fawley with his family to take up the position. A third child, Sybil, was born in 1876. at Lord’s. He continued playing well into his 70s, and his career was renowned enough that it forms the main subject of his Wikipedia entry today – which notes: Henry’s son Francis also studied medicine, and reached the rank of lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Younger daughter Sybil achieved some renown as a musician. Henry died in Hartley Wintney in 1920. Although he lived in Fawley for only a few years, it’s clear he was a well-respected and integral member of the village community. Dr Henry Maturin, source unknown As we’ve noted above, most evidence of Henry’s life in Fawley comes from newspaper reports of tragic deaths. While a handful of similar cases are recorded in Hartley Wintney, much of the news from there about Henry revolves around cricket. As well as graduating in medicine, by his early 20s he had also become a countylevel cricketer, eventually playing for the Middlesex and Hampshire county teams. His debut in rst-class cricket was for Middlesex, playing against the Marylebone Cricket Club Lions Fun Day At Paultons Park Every year Romsey & Waterside Lions organise the ra ing of Giant Easter Eggs in numerous pubs and other outlets to raise funds to buy tickets to send less able and disadvantaged children for a Fun Day at Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World. Paultons Park, which opened in 1983, has over 70 rides and attractions within 140 acres of beautiful parkland on the edge of the New Forest National Park. ere are children’s rides, family rides, roller coasters, to name a few. is year Romsey & Waterside Lions Club were delighted when over 220 children and carers/parents went through the turnstiles. ankfully the weather was warm and sunny and the sight of many smiles on children’s faces is a ne reward for the time and e ort put into organising the event. One happy family who joined the Lions for the Fun Day Car Boot Sale A Car Boot Sale is taking place at Memorial Car Park in Totton on Sundays 20th July, 3rd and 11th August from 8.30am to 12noon (weather permitting). No booking is required, sellers from 8am (for safety, sellers please do not leave before 11.30am). Cars/Small vans £5, Large vans/trailers £7. e area is hard standing. Please take your own tables. Use of community centre toilets, some free parking available. For more information please call: 023 8086 3769 or email: tandeca@hotmail. co.uk or just turn up.
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