#2385, Aster Ruth MALLETT

Ruth was born on 5th January 1915. She died having been run over by a car on 12th June 1925. She is buried at St. John with All Saints, Kingstone next to Dowlish Wake in a small grave with a granite cross and plinth inscribed Aster Ruth Mallett, June 12th. 1925, aged 10 years. "A little Child shall Lead Them." Ruth was the childhood sweetheart of Rowland (Rowan) Hope Cobbold #407 who had vowed that he would wait for her. The anniversary of Ruth's death was marked by a little cross in Rowan's diary every year up to the date of his death. The Trust has a miniature silver-faced Prayer Book inscribed 'Aster Ruth Mallett, Easter 1925' and 'Rowan Cobbold, July 4th 1925' Ruth died 12th June 1925. Presumably Ruth's parents gave it to Rowan as a keepsake.

A transcript from The Western Times, Friday, June 19th 1925 reads:

Young girl killed by motor car at Ilminster

A verdict of death from misadventure was recorded at an inquest at Taunton on Ruth Mallett the 11-year-old daughter of the Rev. L Mallett, rector of Dowlish Wake, who was killed by a motor car at Ilminster. It was said that the girl was engrossed in conversation with a companion when crossing the road.