Henry Morris – Chairman of the Medical Fund Society

The Medical Fund Society Management Committee pictured in 1907

As we prepare to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of the National Health Service, I am publishing on this Swindon based blog the story of the GWR Medical Fund Society and some of the people who made it a success.

Perhaps fittingly Henry Morris, Chairman of the GWR Medical Fund Society for 33 years, died in the GWR Medical Fund Hospital.

Henry was born in Wolverhampton but at the time of his marriage had already moved to Swindon where he worked as a brass finisher in the GWR Works. He married Sophia Annie Evans in St James’s Church, Wolverhampton on July 10, 1871. The couple lived at 23 Gloucester Street where they would remain throughout their long marriage.

Death of Mr H Morris

33 Years Chairman of the Medical Fund Society

By the passing of Mr Henry Morris, Swindon has lost an old resident who has contributed in no small measure to the well being of the town of his adoption. A man of absolute and unimpeachable integrity, and one who aimed at doing “good by Stealth,” he has left behind him a record of public and social service which stands forth as a shining example to those of the younger generation, and it is indulging in the merest of truisms to say that the community is all the poorer by his death.

The late Mr Morris came to Swindon from Wolverhampton in 1870, and remained in the service of the GWR Company until the Christmas of 1915. From that time onwards his health gradually failed, and about ten weeks ago it was found advisable to remove him to Guy’s Hospital for an operation. He went through the as satisfactorily as was to be expected, and returned to Swindon a fortnight since, but it soon became apparent that the end was not far distant, and he passed away, after enduring great suffering, in the GWR Medical Fund Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Morris was 72 years of age.

It is because of his remarkable work in connection with the GWR Medical Fund Society that Mr Morris will be best remembered. For no less a period than 36½ years he was a member of the committee, and his colleagues testified in no uncertain manner to their appreciation of his unfailing courtesy and geniality by electing him as their chairman for 33 years in succession. Mr Morris saw the society pass through many vicissitudes while he was in office, but, thanks very largely to his zealous work and sound leadership, it succeeded in weathering all the storms with which it was assailed. Swindon people hardly need to be reminded of the development of the society’s operations during the past quarter of a century and more, and in the construction and management of the up-to-date Turkish, swimming and washing baths the late Mr Morris was largely identified. He was also chairman of the hospital Sub-Committee for many years, and took a real an deep personal interest in the welfare of the members of the society whom misfortune had brought within the four walls of that invaluable institution.

In his capacity as chairman of the committee of the Medical Fund Society Mr Morris was a member of the Management Committees of the Swindon Victoria Hospital Winsley Sanatorium (until it was taken over by the Charity Commissioners) and the Royal West of England Sanatorium at Weston-super-Mare, and he also attended the general meetings of numerous hospitals and other charitable institutions, his advice and experience being of great value on such occasions. It may be re-called that on Mr Morris’s retirement from the GWR Company’s service the members of the society presented him with a purse of money and an illuminated address, and made him one of their vice-presidents.

Amongst other public offices held by the late Mr Morris was that of a justice of the peace for the borough of Swindon, that honour having been conferred upon him in February, 1914. He was also for a number of years a director of the Henry Street Co-operative Society.

The deceased gentleman with be affectionately remember by many of the past and present generations because of his labours in connection with the Faringdon Street Wesleyan Church. For a very long period he conducted with marked success, a large class in the Sunday School and his work did not begin and end there for he filled various offices in the church itself from time to time.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 19, 1917.

The Late Mr H. Morris

Funeral

To the accompaniment of a striking demonstration of affection and regard, the remains of the late Mr Henry Morris was consigned to their last resting place in Swindon Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The first portion of the burial service was held at the Faringdon Street Wesley Chapel, with which the deceased gentleman was so long and so prominently associated. A large congregation assembled, and the proceedings were impressively conducted by the Rev. H.C. Basset, the recently appointed superintendent…

In the course of the service the Rev. H.C. Bassett gave a brief address:

“I think, perhaps, it is fitting,” he said, “that just a word should be spoken before we lay to their last rest-place the mortal remains of our brother, Morris. My personal knowledge of him was only limited, but to most of you he was a very intimate acquaintance. I visited him on different occasions during the illness which carried him away from us, and there was displayed one ach of those occasions a firm trust in the Saviour, and the realisation of the presence of the God Whom he had loved and served for many years. From all I have heard of him, his removal will be a heavy bereavement to this church. His service was always characterised by great devotion, fidelity and whole-heartedness and I believe he carried the same qualities into his work in other spheres. That he gained the respect of his fellows in endorsed by your presence. As a public servant he discharged his duties faithfully, with credit to himself and satisfaction to those who elected him to office. One person especially has spoken to me of him as one of Nature’s gentlemen – a beautiful tribute to his winsome personality. If you had asked him, he would have said, ‘By the grace of God, I am what I am’…

Mourners included –

Messrs J. Clark, W.J. Hathaway, C. Spencer and W.G. Slatter representatives of the GWR Sick Fund Society and amongst the officials and members of the Medical Fund Society were Messrs W. Spruce and S.E. Walter (past and present secretaries).

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 26, 1917.

Henry Morris was buried on October 20, 1917 in grave plot E8657. His wife Sophia Annie died in January 1942 and is buried with him.