In August, 1952 there were twenty one (21) funeral hatchments in St Giles’ church but by the late 20th century two had gone missing.
Missing No. 1. Edmund Halsey – M.P. for Southwick, married in 1693, Anne, the daughter and co-heir of John Child. When John died Edmund took control of Anchor Brewey in London. He went from rags as a young man in St Albans to cleaning work in the brewery to owning it wih his wife. In 1724 he bought the Manor House in Stoke Poges. His daughter, Anne was Viscountess Cobham of Stowe. She inherited the Manor House. Motto: Mors janua vitae – death is the gate of life. Heraldry: Dexter background black. Ermine on a pile of azure three eagles’ heads argent (Halsey), impaling, Gules, a chevron engrailed ermine between three eagles close argent (Child). Crest: obliterated. Mantling: Gules and argent.
Missing No.2 Name not known. Based on what was recorded of it in 1952, there is an inference that it was in a poor condition. The Motto shown was Mors janua vitae – death is the gate of life – (the same used by the Halsey and Gayer families of the Manor house, Stoke Poges. Heraldry recorded was – All black background. Azure a paschal lamb proper, —, impaling Sable on a chevron between three molets of six points argent five lions’ heads erased gules —. Crest: obliterated. Mantling: Gules and argent.