Friends

Of

Hastings

Cemetery

EC N04 Sarah & Walter Goss Custard

Walter Goss Custard was the organist and choir master of Christchurch St Leonards for 43 years, highly esteemed for his use of music in the liturgy and for his Oratorio choir.  He was appointed at the age of 20, in 1862, shortly after the church was consecrated.  He came from Yeovil in Somerset where his father was a bookseller.  In 1861 he was an articled pupil to an organist in Windsor.

By 1881 his profession is given as professor of music, he is married with 4 Children and living in Pevensey Rd with three servants.  

• Sarah and Walter later had another child.  Two of their sons followed his profession and became well known in their time.  Harry became the organist at Liverpool Cathedral (and can be heard playing that organ in 1927 on YouTube) and another, Reginald, became organist at St Margaret’s Westminster in 1902.  There is an account of his wedding there in the Hastings Observer of 23rd January 1909. Reginald can be heard on the Alexandra Palace organ, playing Saint Saens’ Le Cygne
• Walter raised £500 towards new 1882 organ (costing £1028, & restored in 1902, costing further £1000) by means of oratorios, recitals and sale of work.
• He was a leader in church music in the area, with Rev. T .E. M. Richards of Holy Trinity; they established an annual choral festival in in 1864 which continued until 1867.
• He resigned a month before his death in 1907, aged 66
• 114 Marina - William Goss Custard, pianoforte teacher, 1867
• 11 Marwick Terrace - Walter Goss Custard, teacher of music, 1874.
• Pevensey Road -- no.9 (Belstone), W.Goss Custard, 1887.
• Pevensey Road -- no’s 32-34 (St John’s Mansion) … W.Goss Custard. 1903