Gilbert Parker(1862-1932)

An unusual event in his political career happened in his first parliamentary term, sometime before Easter, 1905, according to the article "Unghostly apparition" published in 'Whig-Standard Magazine' (no. 9; December 15, 1990). Going about his business during a parliamentary debate, he saw another M.P., Major Sir Carne Rasch, sitting on the bench behind him, but not in his customary seat. Since he had been gravely ill, Parker spoke to him, expressing his hope that his friend Rasch felt better. But a grim-faced Rasch did not reply. A moment later, when Parker turned around to speak to him again, Rasch was gone.

Parker than began looking for Rasch, but he could not find him. Neither the two Unionist whips, nor the House of Commons doorkeeper could remember having seen Rasch. After looking some more, he was told the lobbyist Sir Henry Meysey-Thompson had been looking for Rasch, too, for parliamentary reasons. The two M.P.s thought that Rasch must have died, and his ghost had made a final appearance in Commons. They noted the day and time of the occurence.

But Rasch, who had had the flu, which was often fatal in the days before antibiotics, had not died. When he next attended Parliament, Parker told his fellow M.P. of his experience. Rasch took it in good stride, and told the press, "I ought to apologize to the Liberal Party for not having died when I suppose I ought. Had I done so it would have saved them a good deal of trouble. If I have another chance perhaps I will endeavor to oblige them."

The newspapers had a field day with the story. Parker's sighting was later confirmed by M.P. Colonel Sir Arthur Hayter, who said he too had seen Rasch in the Commons sitting below the gangway, not in his usual seat. Hayter reported the appearance to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, who was sitting on the Front Opposition Bench. Hayter told Campbell-Bannerman that he wondered why the press had reported that Rasch was ill, when he was sitting opposite of them. Seeing the doppelganger himself, Campbell-Bannerman commented that he hoped Rasch's illness wasn't catchy.

After all the hoopla in the press, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman went on to become Prime Minister later that year. On his part, Sir Carne Rasch lived another nine years, dying on September 27, 1914, at the age of 66.

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