William Spruce – Medical Fund Secretary

The cemetery has many moods and I love them all. At the moment it is wearing it’s summer personality with swathes of ox eye daisies swaying in the breeze. However, it does make locating graves a tad difficult. Armed with my notebook and cemetery maps I was pleased to discover the grave of William and Harriet Spruce was closer to the path than I had calculated.

William Spruce was born on February 6, 1858 in Chippenham, the eldest son of William and Mary Spruce. By 1871 the widowed William Snr had moved to a cottage in North Street where he lived with his two boys and worked as a blacksmith’s striker, most probably in the GWR Works. Thirteen year old William followed his father into the Works later that same year.

William married Harriett Badminton in 1880 and by 1891 the family were living at 32 Hythe Road – William, Harriett, their four children and Harriett’s widowed father Isaac.

William’s employment records state that he worked in G Shop as a shop clerk and that he retired on November 25, 1922. There is also a note that he was Medical Fund Society Secretary.

As today, in 1916, public figures were subject to scrutiny. At the 69^th annual meeting of the GWR Medical Fund Society the Chairman delivered what he called “the most unfavourable report in the history of the society.”

The account in the North Wilts Herald continued:

“The past year had been one of increased difficulties, and the committee thanked the members for their kind assistance in surmounting them. The continuance of the war had made many demands upon the finances of the society. The increased cost of medical assistance, and the high and increasing cost of drugs, necessitated a further consideration of the financial position of the society.”

And then in the middle of this sombre and difficult meeting, a motion was proposed by one of the members.

Allegation Against the Secretary

After the accounts had been passed, Mr Stevens moved that a committee of members – numbering perhaps seven – should be formed to make an enquiry regarding the “offensive and abusive behaviour” of the Secretary to the members and their families when business took them to his office. Mr Stevens proceeded to give an account of what he alleged transpired at the office when his daughter called. The Secretary asked inquisitive questions, and, before a number of people said: “I am surprised at your father, secretary of a trade union, out robbing the society in the way he is doing. We have been robbed of scores of pounds, and your father, a trade union secretary, doing it!”

Mr Stevens here called the Secretary a “contemptible cur,” and drew upon himself loud cries of “Withdraw” from all sides. He thereupon withdrew the term.

The Secretary said he had no bias against Mr Stevens, and could vindicate his position.

It appeared that the hitch had arisen because Mr Stevens had not removed his daughter’s name from the register after he had left the town.

A long explanation was given by the Chairman and Mr Spruce, who denied the allegations of Mr. Stevens.

After a long, and at times very lively, discussion, it was decided to appoint a committee of seven members to enquire into this and any similar cases.

Extract from North Wilts Herald, Friday, January 28, 1916.

A contentious meeting was later held in the large hall of the Mechanics’ Institute in May 1916 to discuss the question of Mr Stevens’ debt and subsequent expulsion from the Medical Fund Society. The meeting eventually concluded with the reinstatement of Mr Stevens’ membership and the payment of the money owed as he and Mr Spruce met on the platform and shook hands. William Spruce resigned from his role as Secretary in 1917.

Of course, the demanding role of secretary of the Medical Fund Society was not his ‘day’ job.

Retirement of Mr. W. Spruce

Presentation from Fellow Workers

As a mark of the esteem in which he is held, Mr William Spruce has been the recipient of a mahogany clock (suitably inscribed) and an umbrella for Mrs Spruce from the foremen, clerical staff and workmen of G Shop of the GWR Works. Mr Spruce was secretary of the GWR Medical Fund Society from 1901 until 1917, and has for the past five years been the chief clerk in G Shop. He would have retired under the age limit in February, but ill health has necessitated his earlier departure.

Mr T. Walker, of the clerical staff, presided at the presentation gathering, and Mr J. Tanner expressed his deep regret, on behalf of his fellow workers, at the necessity for Mr Spruce’s retirement, and hoped that he would be soon restored to health.

Mr T.W. Robson (senior foreman) made the presentation, and said there were times when pressure of work was distracting, yet he had never known Mr Spruce grumble or complain. He had indeed rendered faithful service.

Mr Spruce thanked all his friends for the great kindness shown to him upon the event of his retirement. He thanked them especially for including Mrs Spruce in their remembrance. “Good wives,” said Mr Spruce, “are a treasure, and Mrs Spruce has been a good wife to me.”

Mr G. Marshman (assistant foreman) and Mr A. Handel (late of G Shop clerical staff), both spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Spruce, and the company sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”

Previous to the shop meeting, Mr T.W. Robson, on behalf of G shop foremen, presented Mr Spruce with a silver mounted umbrella, Messrs. Robson, Marshman, Earp and Wilkins  taking part in the ceremony.

Mr Spruce commenced his service with the Great Western Railway in the Rolling Mills as an office boy in 1874. Six years later he was transferred to V Shop, and in 1881 entered V Shop office as a clerk*. In 1890 Mr Spruce was transferred to J Shop office, where he became chief clerk. In 1898 Mr Spruce was elected a member of the New Swindon Urban District Council. This position he retained until Swindon became a borough, but, as at that time he had become an aspirant for the secretaryship of the GWR Medical Fund, he did not seek re-election. In 1901 Mr Spruce was appointed to this position, and held his secretaryship with great distinction for sixteen years. About 40 years ago he joined the Ancient Order of Foresters, and became an active member. For the past 30 years Mr Spruce has been associated with the Victoria Road Congregational Church and for four years of that period he carried out the duties of secretary of the Sunday School.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, December 1, 1922.

*Information varies in the UK Railway Employment Records 1833-1956.

William Spruce is pictured seated second on the right in this photograph of the Management Committee of the Medical Fund Society in 1907.

Death of Mr W. Spruce

Formerly Secretary of Medical Fund

The death took place on Wednesday afternoon at his residence, 97, Hythe Road, Swindon, of Mr William Spruce, who was well known and highly respected in the town.

The deceased, who leaves a widow and family was associated with many branches of work in the town, and he will be remembered for the service he gave to the GWR Medical Fund Society. For about 18 years he was secretary of that society, and his forethought and businesslike methods stood the Society in good stead during the momentous period of its history. He previously served as auditor, being appointed secretary in 1899, and was succeeded in February, 1917, by the present secretary, Mr S.E. Walters.

Practically the whole of his life has been spent in the service of the Great Western Company. At an early age he was employed as a shop clerk, and on resigning from the secretaryship of the Medical Fund Society he took up similar duties, retiring in 1922 on account of failing health. While in the Company’s service he earned the respect of all for his honesty and integrity of character.

Mr Spruce was a member of the New Swindon Urban District Council just prior to the incorporation. He was very enthusiastic in the work of the friendly societies, his especial interest being centre in the Ancient Order of Foresters. He was a keen Congregationalist, and was a prominent worker at the Victoria Road Church.

The funeral will take place to-morrow.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, June 26, 1925.

William Spruce died in June 1925 at his home, 97 Hythe Road. He was 66 years of age. His funeral took place on June 27 when he was buried in grave plot E7015 where his mother-in-law Harriett Badminton had been interred in 1882. William’s wife Harriett died in April 1931 and was buried in the same plot with her mother and her husband.

Yes, the grave looks a little disheveled, but assuming no one has tended it in more than 90 years it has to be expected.