Friday November 30th 1934
OBITUARY.
Mr. J. S. Rimell.
A link with the Victorian and Edwardian eras is severed by the death of Mr. Joseph S. Rimell, at his home, 5 Stewart’s-grove, Chelsea, on Tuesday, following a prolonged illness. Born in 1868, Mr. Rimell became acquainted with the saddle and bridle at a very early age. For many years he was a familiar figure in Rotten Row, as a riding instructor. Many of his pupils, both young and old became famous in the hunting-fields. Princess Ena, before her marriage to Alfonso, King of Spain, was one of his pupils.
Consternation reigned throughout the West End in the spring of 1896 when a team of zebras made their appearance in Hyde Park. Mr Leopold de Rothschild decided that much could be made of this hitherto wild beast, and a team of four were harnessed in place of the prevailing horses. Mr. Rimell could relate with the pride of a broncho breaker, the introduction of harnesses to zebras. Rodeo was merely childs play in comparison, he once stated. Mr Rothchild’s team of zebras were the “hit of the season,” and great crowds gathered to see them. “They would answer the rein as willingly and promptly as a horse” Mr. Rimell stated afterwards, “but the fierce temperament towards mankind always manifested itself at close quarters.” He was able to show several marks left from unexpected bites from the animals, and in the Autumn of the same year he accompanied them to France where they were deposited in Mr. Rothschild’s private zoo. A picture of the team driving past the Albert Memorial was one of his treasured possessions.
Mr. Rimell is survived by the widow, two sons and four daughters.
The interment takes place today (Friday) at Brompton Cemetery.