Charles Henry Crompton-Roberts

Charles Henry Roberts was born in Pedmore, Worcestershire, the son of Charles Roberts and Marianne (née Noble). His father was a descendant of William Roberts, who had been responsible for rebuilding Drybridge House, Monmouth, as the family's home in the late 17th century. In 1861, Charles Henry Roberts married Mary Crompton, an only child and heiress from Breightmet, near Bolton, Lancashire. He sought and received royal assent to add the name of Crompton to his own surname, so enabling him to inherit her family's estates. Crompton-Roberts acquired Drybridge House in 1867, and carried out its restoration and enlargement. While retaining the period features of the existing building, he added a new south wing and commissioned a number of stained glass windows. He also designed a fine parkland garden around the house, incorporating a cricket pitch upon which W. G. Grace later played. Another family friend was Edward Elgar, who married one of Charles' Worcestershire cousins, Alice Roberts. Crompton-Roberts purchased land at Trellech Grange from the Duke of Beaufort in 1875, and was appointed High Sheriff of Monmouthshire in 1877. He continued to contribute financially to the amenities of Monmouth, and was responsible for the reconstruction in 1888 of the mediaeval Cross opposite the Church of St Thomas in Overmonnow, near Drybridge House. He also decorated houses in Drybridge Street, and his own summer houses, with large wooden blocks used in the hand printing of wallpaper. At the time of his death he held the positions of Governor of Monmouth School and Monmouthshire County Magistrate, and represented the Borough on Monmouthshire County Council. He was also reported to be sole proprietor of the varnish manufacturing firm Noble and Hoare, of Cornwall Road, Lambeth. ==Death and memorials==

He died at his London home at 16 Belgrave Square in 1891. He was reported to have suffered from acute neuralgia for which he had sought several cures including hypnosis, but without success. His funeral was held on 19 November 1891. Crompton-Roberts had requested to be buried at St Mary's Priory Church in Monmouth, but the churchyard was closed for new burials so he was buried at Rockfield Church and burying ground a few miles away. Blinds were drawn and shutters put in place in Monmouth for the funeral as a mark of respect. The borough maces and mace bearers were present, as was the Mayor of Monmouth. The staff sergeants of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Militia formed the guard of honour. It was reported that 40 staff from Noble and Hoare attended the funeral. Memorial stained glass windows were dedicated in his memory at St Mary's in Monmouth, and at Trellech He had three sons: Henry Roger Crompton-Roberts, DSO, and officer in the Grenadier Guards; Charles Montague Crompton-Roberts, who became High Sheriff of Monmouthshire in 1897; and Leicester Neville Crompton-Roberts, who is buried in Highgate Cemetery (west side); and two daughters, Violet Mary and Mildred Theodora. ==References==