Novello: Funeral and Memorial Service,

[The funeral was at Golders Green Crematorium on 12 March 1951, and the memorial service, conducted by The Daily Telegraph [...] at St Martins-in-the-Fields on 29th March at noon.]
6/1) Christopher Hassall. 'Ivor Novello Memorial Service - Address by: Christopher Hassall'. Typed. 4pp. At one point Hassall writes: 'The Divine Powers which singled him out for especial favours managed to devise a wildly improbable person who was nevertheless real. Consider what they did. No one so good-looking should have been a composer hummed and whistled throughout the English-speaking world, in charm and fertility of invention second only to Sullivan; or if so, he should not as well have been a popular playwright; but if we are obliged to grant this much, then let him not be a romantic actor whose appearances were one of the most assured attractions of his time. In truth, being a very gentle soul, he was strangely democratic for a despot and loved not power but the Theatre which it served.' With Daily Telegraph compliments slip of Patrick Gibbs. (2 items)
6/2) Typed memorial address by W. Macqueen-Pope. 2pp, on pink paper (with one carbon of p.1). Begins: 'The outstanding quality about Ivor Novello was his immense kindliness and his ability to see the other side of the picture. He was not only ready to help but would help without being asked. Often he has said to me "Popie, that play is so good, it has such quality. Can I - can any of us - do anything to help?" Later he writes: 'Between Ivor Novello and myself there was more than a business partnership - there was very close personal friendship. In all my long and wide experience of the Theatre it has never been my good fortune to meet with anyone with whom it was easier or more delightful to work. [...] In all the productions which we did together since 1938 - there was never even an argument.' He concludes: 'Greatness has departed with him - but he leaves a heritage of greatness behind in his melodies. We shall not forget.' (1 item)
6/3) Rev. Ebenezer Gwyn Evans (1898-1958), minister (see Dictionary of Welsh Biography). Typed funeral address (and copy) titled 'A Tribute by Rev. E. Gwyn Evans, B.A., Pastor of the Charing Cross Road Welsh Presbyterian Church, London, W.C.2. 12th March 1951.' 2pp, folio. 'One of his intimate friends described him to me as a Prince of Gaiety. He was essentially a man of joy and it was given to him in supreme degree both to desire and to be able to share his joy with others. We do not forget that there was a time when the British Army marched to the sound of one of his early successes, a song enshrined in the hearts of a whole people'. (2 items)
6/4) Typed press release on 'Funeral of Ivor Novello', together with an earlier draft with manuscript additions. (2 items)
6/5) Two carbons of a description of arrangements for 'Ivor Novello's Funeral', 1p, dealing with 'Those following the hearses to crematorium', 'chief mourners in the reserved seats' ('Other relatives named Davies, from Cardiff, are expected.'), other mourners ('Lord and Lady Cromer have sent a special message to say that only absence from the country prevents their attendance.'), 'Officials and sidesmen', 'accommodation in the chapel'. (2 items)
6/6) Typed list of names, addresses and details of 'Ivor Novello Memorial Service, Sidesmen', addressed by Macqueen-Pope to 'Gibbs' (i.e. Philip Gibbs of the Daily Telegraph). Macqueen-Pope writes: 'I have been in consultation with Mr Fred Allen on this matter and the following have been selected as close associates and friends of Ivor.' (1 item)
6/7) Carbon of letter from Macqueen-Pope to Lyn Harding, 12 March 1951. After complaining that 'Much devolved upon me' at the funeral, he asks Harding to read one of the lessons at the memorial service: 'I know it would have delighted Ivor. [...] I am arranging this service with The Daily Telegraph and they also think you would be the man. Sir Lewis Casson would be the other reader. I hope you can. You were "Glamorous Night" and he had such an admiration for you.' (1 item)
6/8) Carbons of three letters from Macqueen-Pope to Philip Gibbs of the Daily Telegraph. 19, 20 and 28 March 1951. In the second letter he sends 'more names as Sidesmen', sent by Fred Allen, including 'Bill Wright (his valet)'. In a postscript he predicts 'a lot of heart-burning and trouble' if people cannot be 'admitted the side way'. (3 items)
6/9) Typed list of eight 'Suggested Sidesmen' at the funeral, including 'W. Macqueen-Pope' and 'Clement Butson - representing Tom Arnold' - 'rest leading actors.' (1 item)
6/10) Typed 'List of Visitors to Ivor Novello Memorial Service for Reserved Seats.' 1p, in two columns, with pencil additions. With three copies of a typed 'List for Tickets'. (4 items)
6/11) Zena Dare (1887-1975), singer and actress closely associated with Ivor Novello.
Two-page autograph 'list of people who should have tickets for the Memorial Service', with addresses and additions. Signed 'I won't bother you with any more! Zena' and addressed to 'Dear Popey' from 4 Wilton Place (on armorial letterhead of her father-in-law Lord Esher).
With carbons of two letters to 'Zena Dear' from Macqueen-Pope, 7 and 21 March 1951, the first stating that a 'nice man from "The News of the World" will come and see you tomorrow at 11. Give him what you feel about Ivor, what you admired in him and his works - that enthusiasm, that understanding, that kindliness and that feeling of the Theatre. He will then rough it out and I will put the finishing touches - in YOUR style'. The second letter Macqueen-Pope gives advice on attending the service. (3 items)
6/12) Carbon of letter from Macqueen-Pope to 'Mrs. Tom Arnold', beginning: 'My dear Lady, … Tom asked me to let you know the details of poor Ivor's Memorial Service.' He states that there are 'no tickets being issued by the Daily Telegraph, which is organising this service, but 500 seats are being kept for friends and members of the Profession'. 'A large crowd is anticipated' and 'there is every likelihood of a tremendous crush.' (1 item)
6/13) Carbon of note from Macqueen-Pope to Tom Arnold. 12 March 1951. 'Memorial Service 12 noon, 29th March, St Martins-in-the-Fields. St Pauls not available. Service to be relaid to crowds outside as at crematorium.' (1 item)
6/14) Carbons of five letters from Macqueen-Pope to different individuals, all written in March 1951, and all relating to the memorial service, with notes by Macqueen-Pope on another two leaves, and a letter from Edward James, London Editor of the Western Mail, requesting a ticket to funeral, given 'Mr Ivor Novello's close associations with Wales'. (8 items)

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