Worthing Gazette, 7 February 1940 - "Organist Under Five Rectors"
Organist under five rectors of Heene, Mr Arthur Boyse died at his home, 49, Haynes Road, Worthing, on Sunday, a few days after his 81st birthday.
Mr Boyse, who was a native of Kempston, Bedford came to Worthing 54 years ago to take up temporary duties at Heene for three months. He stayed to become organist and choirmaster.
He celebrated his jubilee in that position in July 1936, when members of the congregation of St Botolph's presented him with a cheque.
He composed a number of hymn tunes, litanies, and chants, and wrote transcriptions for the organ of over 40 works of famous composers.
He played the organ publicly for the first time at the age of 13, for a funeral service, and was the first F.R.C.O. to play in Worthing.
He was a keen member of Worthing Bowling Club, and many years ago was a good shot, winning many trophies as a member of the Worthing Rifle Club. The funeral took place today, the internment at Heene Cemetery being preceded by a requiem mass at St Bololph's.
Worthing Herald, 9 February 1940 - "Organist at One Church for Fifty-Three Years"
Death of Mr Arthur Boyse F.R.C.O.
Organist at Heene Church for nearly fifty-four years, Mr Arthur Boyse F.R.C.O. died at his home, 49 Haynes Road on Sunday, a few days after his eighty-first birthday. he played at the church a fortnight before his death and it is likely that the illness resulted from his braving the cold weather.
Mr Boyse was appointed temporary organist at Heene for three months. During that period, he was made full time organist and choirmaster, and he held that position until his death. When he first came, he used to walk from Worthing Station to the church along country lanes. St Andrew's had not been built and St Paul's was a Chapel of Ease to Broadwater.
In June 1936, when he completed 50 years' service, he was presented with a cheque for £98 subscribed to by the members of the congregation. Mr Boyse, who was the first fellow of the Royal College of Organists to practice in Worthing, was born in Bedfordshire. He received his first musical training at the age of eight. His father made a pedal keyboard organ upon which his son learned to play. He acted as organist at Buckingham Parish Church when he was 13, playing a full service. He was taught by Dr Bunnett of Norwich Cathedral and gained experience at Christ Church, Eastbourne. For several years, he was deputy organist under Dr Sawyer at St Patrick's, Hove before coming to Heene.
During his 53 years at St Botolph's, Mr Boyse served under five rectors. he composed many chants and hymn tunes used at Heene church and something like 50 of his transcriptions for the organ have been published. Mr Boyse was a member of Worthing Bowling Club for about 21 years and a member of Worthing Rifle Club. He shot for Sussex against Surrey in rifle shooting contests. He leaves a widow, a daughter and three sons. All three sons are in the choir at Heene church.
There was a large gathering at the funeral service at St Botolph's Church on Wednesday. Requiem mass was to Merbecke's setting. The rector Rev. E A Haviland and the curate Rev. Dr H S Box officiated. The organist Mr J White played Solemn Prelude by Hugh Blair. "Blest are the departed" from Spohr's "Last Judgement" and Mendelssohn's "O Rest in the Lord". The hymns were "Think O God, In Mercy" "The Heavenly Word Proceeding Forth" and "Jesus Lives! No Longer Now".
The chief mourners were: Mrs Boyse (widow), Miss Mary Boyse (daughter), Mr A Boyse and Mr E Boyse (sons), Mrs Harrison (sister-in-law), Mr Julian Harrison (nephew), Mr C Newman and Mr R Lowes. Among those present were: Mr K Harman Young JP and Mr James Smith (church wardens), Mrs James Smith, Mrs Haviland, Mrs Box, Deaconess Edith, Mr & Mrs J B Sams, Mrs M D Hugman, Mr Harrison Baker, Mr F C Hambleton, Miss Newman, Mrs & Miss West, Mrs Shaw, Mrs Turner, Mrs Emery, Mr A C Allen, Miss Allen, Mr O Francis, Mr W Simpson, Miss Silversides, Mr H Bristow Wallen, Mrs & Miss Emmet, Miss Cooke, Miss Curtis, Miss Morris, Miss Rawlinson, Mr H O Gould, Miss Fisher, Miss Holmes, Mr O Dalby, Miss Woods, Mrs Helman, Miss Jenkins, Mr & Mrs F Green, Rev. H A West, Miss A Hinds, Rev. D H K Keppel, Mr C B Ketchlee, Mrs Dobree, Miss freeman, Miss Miller, Mrs Speller, Miss Swain and Mr Hastain. Among the wreaths were those from the ladies' choir, the clergy, church wardens, sidesmen and Parochial Church Council; Mothers' Union and Womens' Fellowship; boys' choir and choir at St George's; and the Sussex Theatre.
Worthing Gazette, 14th Feb, 1940 - "Funeral of former organist at Heene"
Requiem for Mr Arthur Boyse - A requiem service in the Church where he had been organist for more than half a century was conducted at the funeral at Heene on Wednesday of Mr Arthur Boyse F.R.C.O. of Moreton, 49 Haynes Road, Worthing, whose death at the age of 81 was recorded in last week's Worthing Gazette. The Rector of Heene Rev. E.A. Haviland and the Rev. Dr. J.S. Box officiated at the service in St Botolph's Church, and Mr J. White at the organ played Hugo Blair's 'Solemn Prelude' Sphors 'Blest are the Departed' and Mendelssohn's 'O rest in the Lord'. As the coffin was carried into the churchyard for internment, the 'Nunc Dimittis' was sung.
The chief mourners were the widow, Mr Alan Boyse and Mr Edward Boyse (sons); Mrs A Harrison (sister-in-law); Mr Julian Harwood (nephew); Mr Robert Lawes and Mr Cyril Newman. Also at the church were:
Mr James Smith and Mr Harman Young J.P, (Churchwardens), Mr H. Bristow Wallen and Mr AC Allen (Deputy Churchwardens), the Rev. D.H.E. Keppel, The Rev. HA West; Deaconess Edith, Miss Allen, Mr Harrison Baker, Mrs Box, Miss Beckles, Miss Coombe, Miss Cooke, Miss Curtis, Mr C Dalby (Chichester), the Misses Dobree.
Mrs Emmett, Miss Emmett, Mrs Emery, Miss Fisher, Miss Freeman, Mr C Francis, Mr and Mrs F Green, Mr HC. Gould, Mr FC Hambleton, Mrs MD Hugman, Mr Hastain, Mrs Haviland, Miss A Hinds, Miss Holmes, Miss Jenkins, Mr CB Ketchlee, Miss Morris, Miss Miller, Mrs Newman, Miss Newman, Miss Rawlinson.
Mr and Mrs IB Syms, Mr James Smith, Mrs Shaw, Mr W Simpson, Mrs Swain, Mrs Speller, Miss Silversides, Mrs Turner, Miss Woods, Mr and Mrs West.
Flowers - Wreaths were sent by :-
The Widow: his devoted children Ida and Julian, Mater, Cyril, Stella and Basil, Alice, Gertie and Walter.
Clergy, Churchwardens, Sidesmen and Parochial Church Council of St Botolph's, the Ladies Choir at Heene, Mothers Union and Women's Fellowship, the Boys choir, the Choir and Organist of St George's Church, members of the Susex Theatre.
Mr and Mrs Bateman and family, Miss Beckles, Mr and Mrs Barnes, Mrs Cory and Miss Barton, Mr and Mrs Enticknap, Mr and Mrs Green, Mr and Mrs Hales, Mr Ralph Hyde, Gladys and Ethel, Mr and Mrs Lowes and Robert, Helen and Kate Luke, Mr and Mrs Newman, little Patricia, DH Palthorpe, Mr and Mrs Sams and family.....