Transcript

of

Major George Frederick Gratwicke [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 45, (1913). pp. 42-43.

by

Major George Frederick Gratwicke [Obituary]

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was presented at the Association’s July 1913 Buckfastleigh meeting. Major Gratwicke is listed by Cyril Bainbridge in his “One hundred years of Journalism” (1984) among the Past Presidents of the Society of Journalists, as President for 1905-6. Those listed are described as “the greatest names in Journalism” (available through Google Books).  The obituary may be found in a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal that can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Major Gratwicke died on 3 September, 1912, and was buried with military honours in St. Thomas' churchyard, Exeter. He joined the Association in 1901, and was one of the Vice-Presidents for the Jubilee Meeting at Exeter in 1912.
Major Gratwicke was as distingished in the newspaper world as he was famous for his skill with the rifle and encouragement of rifle-shooting. Joining the Devon and Exeter Daily Gazette in 1885 and becoming managing director, he made it one of the most successful journals in the provinces. He was one of the originators of the Institute of Journalists, the founder of the Orphan Fund, and President of the Institute in 1905. He was also a member of the Committee of the Newspaper Society, and was one of the British delegates at the International Congress of the Press at Antwerp, Bordeaux, and Rome. In 1906 he was elected President of the British International Association of Journalists, holding office for three years. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Journalists, and also of the Royal Society of Literature, besides occupying many local public offices. King Oscar of Sweden made him a Knight of the First Class of the Royal House of Wasa, and Major Gratwicke also wore the Volunteer officers' decoration.
In 1889 he was elected Sheriff of Exeter, and for a short time was a member of the City Council. As a Volunteer he won the St. George's Vase at Wimbledon in 1878, and for a quarter of a century competed as a member of the Devon team of riflemen. He represented England on seven occasions in matches for the National trophy. He was adjutant of the English team for thirteen years, captain of the English volley-firing team, and captain of the Devon Twenty. An active member of the National Rifle Association, Major Gratwicke was also President of the Exeter Rifle League, and vice-president of the English Twenty Club. He took a leading part in the efforts to secure a knighthood for Sir John Bucknill, the founder of the Volunteer movement, and in the erection of a monument to Sir John, which was unveiled at Exeter by the late Duke of Cambridge.
For some years Major Gratwicke was Provincial Grand Secretary for the Mark Degree of Freemasons and Provincial Grand Master of Devon. Many charitable organizations and other public institutions in Exeter enjoyed Major Gratwicke's interest and support.