Robert Dunn (buried 1917)

Robert Walter Dunn's father, also called Robert Walter was a groom and his mother was called Ann. Robert junior was baptised on 11th October 1837 at St Margaret's, Westminster. At the age of 13, he was a page in the household of Edward Ogle, a surgeon, and his wife Laura. On 11th February 1863, Robert married his first wife Louisa Catherine Hammond. She died in 1881 and in 1882, he married Charlotte Wright, one of the servants of the Dean of Westminster. They were married for 28 years but had no children. Robert became a verger at Westminster Abbey and in 1878, was appointed a guide at the Abbey. The duties of a verger, usually a lay person include assisting in the ordering of the services particularly in Anglican churches, preceding the participants in the services but having no speaking role, welcoming visitors and conducting tours of the Abbey. The office is named after the "virga" which he carried, from the Latin "branch, rod, staff". Robert and his wife came to Worthing in 1903. Robert died on 21st April 1917. Probate was granted on 11th May to Charlotte Dunn widow. Effects £523 2s 9d.