THE FUNERAL OF MR ARTHUR GEE AN ACCOUNT OF HIS CAREER

The remains of Mr. Arthur Gee, who was one of the passengers who lost their lives in the Titanic disaster were laid to rest on Monday afternoon in the graveyard of St. Johns Church the Height. Mr. Arthur Gee was born at the Height 47 years ago, his father being Mr. Giles Gee, who had been long resident in the district and was connected with the dyeing trade. When three years old he was taken out to Russia by his parents. His early years as a boy were spent at Schlusselburg, near St. Petersburg. About the age of 14 he came back to England for the purpose of pursuing his studies and attended the Manchester Grammar School. At this period he resided at the Height and attended the United Methodist Sunday School in that district. He was also at one time a member of the chapel choir. Having determined upon his career his father sent him to Germany (Alsace) to study the chemistry of calico printing, and whilst there he acquired the French and German languages. After finishing his studies he returned to Schlusselburg, where he remained until some months ago, when he returned to England and settled at St. Annes. During his long residence in Russia Mr. Arthur Gee was in the employment of the Schlusselburg Calico Printing Works Company, a branch of the Anglo Russian Cotton Factories Co. Ltd. By successive stages he rose to be manager and he occupied this position for some years. The Gee family, it may be mentioned, had been connected with the Schlusselburg works for a period of 46 years, namely since the works were taken over by the English firm. By a sad coincidence his eldest brother. Mr. Walter Gee, who was manager of a large calico printing works near Moscow died about the same time that the Titanic was lost, and was buried last week at Schlusselburg. Mr. Arthur Gee recently accepted a position as manager of a print works near Mexico City. It was while on his way to Mexico, via New York, that he met his death on the Titanic. Mr. Arthur Gee was a strong man and an expert swimmer, and had he had the smallest chance he would no doubt have been saved. The body was recovered from the water by the Mackay Bennett, which had been specially chartered from New York to search for the dead. The remains were brought from America on the Baltic to Liverpool, and they were conveyed directly to the Height for the purpose of burial, being interred in the next grave to that in which Mr. Giles Gee, the father, lies buried. The deceased leaves a wife, a daughter, aged fifteen, and three sons, all younger to mourn his loss.