George William RANDS [454]

  General Notes:

Northants Solicitor Dead.
Worked at 87, Despite Blackout.
Mr G. W. Rands.
By the death of Mr George William Rands, which took place at his home, Field Head, Darlington Avenue Northampton on Saturday, the legal profession in Northampton loses its oldest practising member.
Mr Rands, who was 87, continued to work at his office, despite the blackout, until a few weeks ago. Mr Rands began practice as a solicitor in 1874 in partnership with his father, who founded the business now known as George and G W Rands in 1842. His son Mr St John Rands, after serving throughout the last war with the 4th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, joined the firm in partnership with him in 1921.
The firm is thus nearly 100 years old, and has been under the personal superintendence of father, son, and grandson for the whole of that period, a remarkable record and one that is possibly unique in this country.
Mr Rands was the oldest son of a family of 8
Law Society Presidency.
He was president of the Law Society from 1913 to 1980 on his 80th birthday he described to a "Mercury and Herald" reporter the great changes he had seen in his long connection with the legal profession, changes which were, however, scarcely less striking than the transformation in the appearance of Northampton.
Mr Rands succeeded his father, Mr George Rands, who died in 1902, as registrar of the Borough Court of Record, a position he held at the time of his death. The court is a relic of Saxon days.
Mr Rands in his youth was a keen Rugby player and good swimmer, as well as being an excellent sporting shot. He was of a rather retiring disposition and devoted much of his time in his later years to his garden and home. He had a most conscientious and upright character in all things, and a cheerful, kindly and lovable disposition.
He leaves a widow and son, Mr G St John Rands. His 2nd son, Mr Oliver Rands, gave his life for his country in the Great War and his daughter, Miss Julie Violet Rands, died 2 years ago.
Ref: Northampton Mercury 29 March 1940.

Obituaries:
Mr G W Rands; The death occurred at his home at Northampton during the week-end of Mr George William RANDS senior partner in the firm of G and G W Rands, Solicitors, at the age of 87. Mr Rands was Northampton's oldest lawyer, and despite his great age continued to work at his office until a few weeks ago. He had been in practice since 1874, when he became a partner in the firm founded by Mr George Rands, his father. On his death Mr G W Rands succeeded him as Registrar of the Northampton Borough Court of Record, an office which now becomes vacant. Mr Rands leave a widow and a son Mr G St John Rands who became a partner in the firm in 1921.

Will of Mr G.W. Rands
Mr George William Rands, of the Avenue, Darlington, solicitor, who died on March 23, left L5916 8s 2d, with net personally L2985 14s 10d. The will is proved by Mrs Margaret Rands the widow, and George St John Rands, son. Mr Rands leaves everything to his wife for life and then to his son.
Northampton Mercury 5 July 1940.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, Northampton NTH. George is recorded as a son unmarried aged 28 a solicitor born Northampton

George married Margaret "Meg" LIVEING [453] [MRIN: 130], daughter of Dr Edward LIVEING M.D. F.R.C.P. [100] and Frances Jane (Tassie) TORLESSE [145], on 28 Nov 1891 in Rectory Church St Marylebone LND. (Margaret "Meg" LIVEING [453] was born on 21 Dec 1858 in Highbury Middlesex.)