ArundelHistory-The ApparitionpartII

Part II by local historian Mark Phillips

In 1922, well-known local resident, Dr George Wallace Eustace (18701945) published his book ‘Arundel Borough and Castle' which has become one of the most respected histories written on the town, castle and people. He lived in Maltravers Street from G.W. Eustace 1895 - 1925 (a blue plaque marks the house) before spending the rest of his life in the nearby hamlet of Crossbush, on the outskirts of Arundel. Following on from last month’s article about how Dr Eustace was astounded to see an apparition of his late wife in his garden seven weeks after her death. She was also seen by a friend of hers hours after she had passed away, in a Hove nursing home at 3.15am on Christmas morning. The story was relayed by Mrs Welch, an elderly local lady who is described as ‘…much crippled, but a very well-read and matter-of-fact person.’ The late Mrs Eustace had met Mrs Welch through attending church in Arundel and she had often assisted Mrs Welch to her pew. Mrs Welch had attended the midnight service at the Convent of Poor Clares at Crossbush on Christmas Eve and the following is what she later told Mrs Eustace’s sister: “I got to the church at 11.55pm and on entering, I saw that the seat I usually occupied, as it had easy access, had already been taken. As I looked around to find another seat, Mrs Eustace came up to me and took my arm, as she had often done, and helped me to a vacant seat. When I went up to the chancel steps, she came with me and helped me down and up again from my knees and assisted me back to my seat. After the service when I got up to leave, I noticed that Mrs Eustace had already left but I never noticed her go. I had not seen her for a few months but had heard that she was not quite well enough to attend St Philips, but I had heard nothing about her being seriously ill or in a nursing home.” Mrs Welch later spoke to Mr Eustace about seeing Mrs Eustace at the Poor Clares when she was in fact seriously ill in a Hove nursing home: “I first saw Mrs Eustace by the confessional. She was standing by the step awaiting her turn to go into the booth. She gave me a small bow and smiled at me as was her wont. She even gave the slightest movement of her shoulders which was peculiar to just her. I had not the slightest doubt of her identity. She later put her hand under mine and helped me up the step as she had done several times in the past. I had not seen her for a few months and the fact she was there at that late hour pleased me as it made me realise she was strong and well. After I came out from confession I went to the chancel rails She again came to me, again took my hand and assisted me across the floor which is very slippery. She held my hand and assisted me a number of times during this service.” When Mrs Welch was told by her maid later that Christmas morning that Mrs Eustace was dead, she replied: “That cannot be true; there must be some mistake; she was at the midnight Mass and helped me along both to the confessional and again to the chancel rails.” Mrs Welch said she had tried to persuade herself that the whole thing was some sort of trick of her imagination, but she was unable to do so. “I am still convinced that it was Mrs Eustace who was there and who assisted me, I am quite clear about the whole matter.” Mrs Welch would later come to believe that she had in fact seen the spirit of Mrs Eustace, a very kindly person, who had assisted her this one last time. Mr Eustace wrote that: “…it was 11.55pm on Christmas Eve 1932 that my wife was seen by Mrs Welch at the Poor Clares in Crossbush. At that very moment I had been standing by her bedside in the nursing home at Hove. It was then that she became unconscious and I noted the time on the clock on the small side table. Mrs Welch is a careful witness and is absolutely convinced that her experience was not a case of mistaken identity. My wife never appeared to me again. I do not anticipate that she will do so now. I am more than satisfied. I am well content to leave the interpretation to others, for I know now that I know.” *If you are interested in the history of Arundel, Mark conducts regular informal illustrated talks at Arundel Museum most months to raise money for the museum funds. The next talk will be at 7.30pm on, November 18. No tickets required, free entry but donations are welcome.