Francis Waldo Channon.
In Tweedsmuir Parish Church there are a pair of "Elders"chairs on the platform behind the Communion Table. They both have an identical brass memorial plaque on the back of the chairs. This reads:-
Francis Waldo Channon
Violinist
born Plymouth 1898
died Edinburgh 1957
"Praise him upon the strings"
Ps 150.
Why is Francis Waldo Channon remembered in Tweedsmuir Parish Church? Can anyone shed some light on this puzzle?
The following information about his immediate family has been gleaned from the vital and other records.
Frederick William Channon was born 1863 in Totnes, Devon England. He was a violin maker and repairer. He married Helen Louisa Back in 1895 at Stoke Dameral, Devon; She was born in 1864. Their address in 1911 was 28 Tavistock Place, Plymouth.
Frederick and Helen had two children:
1) Gertrude Mary (May) Channon, born 1896 in Devonport, Plymouth Devon; died 03-1983, Exeter, Devon; married Percival Leonard Heath, 04-07-1917, South Farnborough, Surrey; born 1896.
2) Francis Waldo Channon, born 04-1898 in Devonport, Plymouth, Devon. Died 1957 in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He married Elizabeth Adelaide Mitchell Tait on 27-08-1920. She was born 20-05-1897 in Tillington, Co Durhan. She died 1972 in Edinburgh.
During WW1 Francis enlisted in 1916 as a Gunner in the Royal Marines Artillery. Registration No 2904.
Francis was the First Violin of the Scottish String Quartet. He played at the Usher Hall in 1931.
The family address in Edinburgh was 16 Ann Street - a fairly prestigious Edinburgh address.
Although Elizabeth A. M. Tait was born in England her parents were of Scottish extraction.
Francis Waldo Channon.
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