WITH just a week left to complete his term of office as Mayor, HR Hustings died suddenly at the Victoria Hospital on Sunday, October 27.

A tough talking, no nonsense politician, Henry Russell Hustings, pictured, was well known as a champion of the underdog.

He was a former trade union leader, and a founder member of the Unemployed Association, launched at a time when Swindon had more than 5,000 unemployed.

Following a recent operation at the Victoria Hospital it was thought that Mr Hustings was making a good recovery.

His death at the age of 57 had come as a shock to fellow members of the council.

“The public life of Swindon will be much poorer by the passing of Councillor Hustings,” Mr GA Marshman, presiding magistrate said paying tribute to the Mayor at Swindon Borough Police Court this week.

His burial took place at Radnor Street Cemetery following a service at the Central Mission Hall conducted by Major WJ Hills of the Salvation Army.

“Representatives of practically every industrial and social organisation in the town and district took their place in the cortege, and also paid their last tribute at the graveside at Radnor Street Cemetery,” reported the Advertiser.