George Brunger – the man who saved the Medical Fund

This article was written by Graham Carter, Swindon Advertiser columnist, and published in the Autumn 2016 edition of the Swindon Heritage Magazine.

Milton Road Baths published courtesy of Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.

Grandpa, the man who saved the Medical Fund

Swindon’s GWR Medical Fund was famously a blueprint for the National Health Service when it was introduced in 1948, but what is often overlooked is the crisis that seemed destined to destroy the organisation during the First World War.

And while the name of George W. Brunger isn’t often remembered as one of the visionaries of a railway town with a health service more than a century ahead of its time, as chairman for 29 years and its last, then he deserves a special place in Swindon’s history.

And George’s granddaughter, Maggie, along with her elder brother Alan, who spent hours recording ‘Grandpa’s’ oral memoirs’ before his death in 1964, have been piecing together the family history.

It tells of how George, who had previously only been an ordinary member of the Medical Fund, stumbled on a crisis meeting at Milton Road Baths – now the Health Hydro – and took control of its destiny.

“Grandpa was returning home from a union meeting in London,” said Maggie. “After disembarking from the train in Swindon, he was walking home when he heard a commotion coming from the Medical Fund building, and decided to go in.”

Formed in 1847, the Medical Fund provided a comprehensive ‘cradle to grave’ service and operated its own hospital, but exactly a century ago, in the last weeks of 1916 faced a huge dilemma because of the First World War.

Many local men were occupied with the Railway Works’ contribution to the war effort, George himself working as a fitter in AE Shop, making heaving guns. But many of the town’s men were away on active service, so subscriptions were critically low, and the crisis meeting was called to find solutions for an organisation that had exhausted its credit at the bank, so its cheques for doctors’ salaries were bouncing.

With the management committee and members arguing over a proposal to increase subscription rates, the closure of the Medical Fund altogether was a very real prospect.

“Grandpa entered the meeting, which was in uproar, and pointed out that they would stay there all night and still not get anywhere. So he suggested that a special committee be appointed to investigate their problems, and report back to members.

“His motion was passed unanimously, with seven people nominated; and Grandpa was the seventh.”

After a few weeks’ deliberation, the special committee reported in February 1917, in a hall that was packed to overflowing.

Surprisingly, it recommended only a penny-a-week increase in subscriptions, rather than the threepence suggested by the management committee, whose view was backed up by the Medical Fund’s lawyer.

When the members overwhelmingly supported the penny plan, it was effectively a vote of no confidence in the management committee, and most of them resigned.

George felt obliged to stand for election to the new committee of 15, and after the man he proposed as chairman refused the post, he put himself forward, and was elected.

Then aged 35, he would remain chairman until the Medical Fund was dissolved to make way for the introduction of the National Health in 1948, apart from when he took a year off and was vice-chairman in 1924.

In interviews with his grandson, Alan, in later years, he revealed that many of the ideas adopted by the Medical Fund during his time as chairman were his own.

Aneurin Bevan, the Minister of Health who was in charge of introducing the NHS, naturally interviewed George during visits to see how the Swindon model worked, and they must have had discussions about the handling of doctors, which was a key issue when the NHS was eventually formed.

A major cause of the Medical Fund’s financial problems were the huge salaries commanded by the three senior doctors they employed who were based at Park House in the Railway Village. George’s novel solution was actually to increase the salaries of junior doctors, while slashing those of the senior ones, including Dr Swinhoe, at the top of the pyramid.

His dealings with the Medical Fund inevitably brought George into contact – but also conflict – with management.

As a humble fitter – his union activities prevented him from progressing up the managerial ladder – he found himself in meetings with the railway company’s Swindon top-brass, but stood his ground.

He was once ordered to remove his hat when meeting FW Hawksworth, but told the Chief Mechanical Engineer: “I haven’t come here to undress!”

George had come from humble beginnings, but showed himself to be a committed and fearless young man.

Born in Maidstone in 1881, when he was 17 he lied about his age, claiming to be 18, so he could enlist in the Royal Engineers.

He quickly found himself in South Africa with the outbreak of the Boer War, the following year, and, apart from a long spell recovering from dysentery, fought much of the campaign, receiving clasps on his medals from six key battles, including the reliefs of Mafeking and Ladysmith.

After the war he stayed in South Africa to work in the diamond-mining boom, but returned to Britain in 1906, and soon married a local Maidstone girl Lillian Price.

They were married on Boxing Day 1906, but instead of honeymooning, after the ceremony they took the train to Swindon to begin a new life.

Arriving at 9.30pm, with snow on the ground, they walked from the railway station to their lodgings in Rodbourne, with a canary in a cage among the wedding presents they carried with them.

They later set up a permanent home at 40 Kingshill Road.

Always a union man, and an official for the Amalgamated Engineering Union (now the AUEW), George was also one of the founders of the Labour Party in Swindon, and served the party on the Town Council from 1919 to 1932.

As Chairman of the Housing Sub-committee in 1922 he oversaw the building of Swindon’s first (and one of the country’s first) council housing estates, at Pinehurst.

Such was the demand for houses that the queue of people outside the Brungers’ home in Kingshill, applying directly to George to move them up the list, led to the family calling the front room ‘the office’.

“He would have been mayor,” said Maggie, who lives in the United States but has been on an extended visit to her home town. “But my grandmother, who was very retiring, wouldn’t have it.”

He retired from both the Railway Works and the Medical Fund in 1947.

Maggie was 16 when he died, and missed the funeral because she was taking O Level exams on the day. Remarkably, his death occurred the day after Maggie’s brother Alan left Swindon to emigrate to Canada.

“He was a lovely old man,” said Maggie. “And of course to me he was always an old man. He was not a big talker, but he was well respected.

“I remember his black leather boots, which he kept by the fireplace, his red hair and his big hands. Every time I go up the beautiful stairs in the Health Hydro, I like to think of him grasping the rails.”

These days the committee room where George presided is often empty, while the smaller of the building’s two swimming pools is also closed, perhaps permanently.

The building was once a jewel in Swindon’s crown, and says as much about the vision and approach of Swindon’s leaders in past times – men like George Brunger – as the Mechanics’ Institute.

With its washing baths, swimming baths and even Turkish and Russian baths, it represented arguably the best leisure facilities enjoyed by any British workers at the time, as well as the medical facilities and services also available to members of the Medical Fund and their families.

But the building faces an uncertain future, just as it did, exactly a century ago, when destiny brought George Brunger, with perfect timing, to its doors.

Graham Carter

George Brunger died at St Margaret’s Hospital in June 1964 and is buried in grave plot C956, which he shares with his wife Lillian who died in 1955.

Swindon Heritage was a quarterly local history magazine co-founded by Graham Carter, the late Mark Sutton and myself and was published from 2013-2017. Back copies are still available at the Swindon Library Shop, Swindon Central Library and at the cemetery chapel during our guided walks.

Accident Hospital

The Accident Hospital was opened in December 1871 and as the name suggests, that was its sole purpose in those early years. This postcard image published on the Local Studies flickr page has the annotation – ‘For use in case of accidents which are of daily occurance in the GWR Factory.’

On January 12, 1886 doctors Swinhoe, Howse and Bromley made their Accident Hospital Doctors’ Report to the Medical Fund Committee as follows:

Gentlemen,

The New Year of 1885, found us with three Patients in our Accident Hospital. Since then, twenty-seven new cases have been admitted, making a total of thirty for the twelve months. Of these, twenty have been discharged convalescent, six have died, and one is still under treatment and doing well.

We enclose tabulated list for your better information.

We are, Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servants,

Swinhoe, Howse, & Bromley.

Among the injuries treated during 1885 were leg fractures, a crushed foot and fractured ribs.

Of the six deaths that occurred in the hospital four of the deceased were buried in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Fireman Charles W. Nicholls aged 23 of 13 Medgbury Road died from having his ‘chest crushed in’. Charles Nicholls was buried on September 6, 1885 in grave plot A309.

George Turnbull aged 33, Charge Man in B2 Shop died from a compound fracture of the skull having spent 3 days in hospital. George Turnbull was buried on April 2, 1885 in grave plot A727.

Thomas Edwards who worked in the Saw Mill was admitted with a rupture and spent 40 days in hospital where he died of consumption. He was 33 years old. Thomas Edwards was buried on March 28, 1885 in grave plot A204.

William Collett of 40 Princes Street was admitted to the hospital suffering from extensive burns. He died 2 days later. He was 49 years old. William Collet was buried on March 26, 1885 in grave plot A628.

Florence Rhoda Wilcox – midwife

Florence Rhoda Wilcox was born in Clifton, Bristol, the eldest of three daughters. Her father, Philip Weldon Roberts, was a Pattern Maker and by 1901 the family had moved to Swindon where they lived at 18 Kent Road.

Florence worked as a music teacher when in 1912 she married John Wilcox and the couple moved into number 61, Kent Road. Sadly, their marriage was a short one as John was killed during the first World War. He was serving as a First Engineer in the Merchant Navy and was drowned on May 28, 1917 when his ship was struck by an enemy submarine in the English Channel.

Back home in Swindon Florence made some life changing decisions when on August 14, 1920 she enrolled as a midwife. By the mid 1920s Florence had converted her house in Kent Road into a small maternity home, the Haven Nursing Home, where she worked alongside fellow midwife Gertrude Tucker.

In 1931 numbers 61 and 62 served as both Nursing Home and doctor’s practise and it was on October 23 of that year that Mary Fluck was admitted for what proved to be a traumatic birth during which both mother and baby nearly died. It is likely that Florence and Gertrude were both on duty that day, assisting the doctor during this difficult confinement. The baby who made such a dramatic arrival was named Diana Mary Fluck. She later went on to change her name to Diana Dors and became a film star, Britain’s answer to Marilyn Monroe.

The nursing home remained in operation until the mid 1930s and most probably closed with the opening of the Kingshill Maternity Home.

In 2017 a Swindon Heritage blue plaque was installed on the property to mark the birthplace of Diana Dors.

Florence and Gertrude both moved to Paignton in Devon. Gertrude died aged 59 years at Waterside House, Waterside Road, Paignton and was buried on January 14, 1938 in Radnor Street Cemetery in grave plot D721. Florence died at the same address in February 1952 aged 70. She was buried with Gertrude.

Zacharias Peskett – Medical Fund Society Treasurer

Saturday July 8 sees Swindon celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NHS with the Mechanics’ Institution Trust. Events in the Emlyn Square area include an exhibition in the Central Community Centre with a talk on the GWR Medical Fund by Adam Busby at 4 pm. Visit the Railway Village Museum open 11-3 and join a walking tour of the Railway Village focussing on ‘Health.’ The Bakers Café will be open for refreshments.

And read below about one of those pioneering members of the GWR Medical Fund Society.

Swindon

Obituary

The death occurred on Thursday morning at his residence, 6, Milton Road, Swindon, of Mr Zacharias Peskett, an old and highly respected resident of Swindon. For the long period of 44 years he had been in the service of the GWR Company, and for over 30 years he had uninterruptedly held office as treasurer of the GWR Medical Fund Society. He was generally esteemed as an upright and honourable man, and was a valued servant of the company. He was in his 70^th year.

Western Daily Press, Bristol, Friday, May 29, 1914.

The Late Mr Z. Peskett,

Funeral

The esteem in which the late Mr Zacharias Peskett, of 6, Milton Road, Swindon, was held by his former colleagues in the GWR Works and by the officials of the GWR Medical Fund Society – an organisation with which his name had been prominently associated for more than 30 years – was exemplified on Tuesday afternoon, when the funeral took place at Swindon Cemetery amid every manifestation of sorrow and respect.

The cortege left Milton Road at 3.15 and proceeded to St. Mark’s Church, where a short but impressive service was conducted by the Rev. Lionel Calway.

The coffin, on which was a large cross of white flowers from the family and other beautiful floral tributes, was conveyed on a four-wheel bier, Messrs J. Lawrence, E. Griffiths, W. Sansum, T. Jackson. R.A. Zebedee and Humphries (representatives of the Medical Fund Society) acting as bearers.

Then followed a hand-bier on which were placed the wreaths, and in charge of Mr Peskett’s personal staff – Messrs. T.H. Westbury, C.E. Knapp, J. Clark and Angle. Behind the mourning coaches walked the Rev. H.J. Parker (pastor of South Street Baptist Chapel, where deceased formerly worshipped), representatives of the Medical Fund Society and the Sick Fund Society and many old friends and former colleagues of the late Mr. Peskett.

Long list of mourners …

From St. Mark’s Church the coffin was borne to the Cemetery, the route chosen being Cambria Bridge Road, Radnor Street and Clifton Street. The Blinds at many of the houses on the way to the Cemetery were drawn as a mark of respect to the deceased.

At the graveside the cortege was joined by a large number of sympathisers, and the service was impressively conducted by the Rev. L. Calway. The coffin was of polished elm, with heavy brass furnishings, and the breast plate was inscribed as follows:-

Zacharias Peskett,

Died May 28^th, 1914.

Aged 69 years.

Many beautiful floral tributes were sent by relatives and friends…

The funeral arrangements were satisfactorily carried out by Messrs. H. Smith & Sons.

Extracts from the North Wilts Herald, Friday, June 5, 1914.

Zacharias Peskett was buried on June 2, 1914 in plot D1297, a grave he shares with his wife Annie who died in December 1924.

Henry James Fortune – Assistant Secretary to the Medical Fund Society

Henry James Fortune was 82 years old when he died in 1943. He had lived an eventful life but was there anyone still around who remembered him as a young man? His wife Nellie had died 20 years previously.

So, let’s go back to the beginning.

Henry James Fortune was born on July 5, 1861, in Mells, Somerset, the son of John Fortune, a policeman, and his wife Mary.

As a young man, a little older than 15 when boys these days are still in school, Henry joined the navy. His service records describe him as 5ft 1½ ins, light brown hair, blue eyes, fair complexion. The first ship he served on was HMS Impregnable. On census night 1881 Henry, aged 19, was serving on the HMS Temeraire in the Grand Harbour, Malta. His last service date was April 22, 1886 and the last ship he served on was the HMS Hercules.

By 1886 Henry was settled in Swindon, employed as a Stores Clerk in the GWR Works. The following year he married Ellen Louisa House at Holy Trinity Church, Frome. At the time of the 1891 census he was living at 26 Taunton Street aged 29 years when he describes himself as a Fitters Labourer (another change of occupation?) – Ellen and their two children are visiting her parents in Frome.

Henry was nominated for election to the Management Committee of the GWR Medical Fund Society in 1904 and in 1907 is pictured on a formal photograph seated next to Zacharias Peskett, the long serving treasurer.

On the 1911 census returns the Fortune family are living at 20 Oxford Street where 49 year old Henry works as a railway clerk. The couple have been married 23 years during which time they had 12 children of whom sadly 4 have already died.

In 1939 he was at 246 Ferndale Road, a widowed retired Railway Clerk living with Leonard and Edith Brain (daughter and son-in-law) and their family.

The GWR Medical Fund Society, like many other similar organisations across the country, provided a blueprint for the National Health Service established in 1948. Henry had been gone nearly five years by then. For those who remained on the Medical Fund Committee it must have been a time of mixed feelings. Free health care for all but with that came the eventual dismantling of the Medical Fund and 100 years of endeavour in Swindon.

Henry James Fortune died in St. Margaret’s Hospital aged 82 years. His funeral took place on December 30, 1943 when he was buried in grave plot C3868 with his wife Ellen who had died in 1923.

GWR Sick Fund Society

God’s Wonderful Railway – this colloquialism reveals the reverence in which the Great Western Railway was held. The railway company, established in 1835, was the epitome of excellence, innovation and achievement. The young engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (26 years) and his right hand man Daniel Gooch (20 years) sited the railway company’s principle Locomotive Station and Repairing Shops on a green field site at Swindon where ‘the Works’ would become the beating heart of the organisation.

But life was difficult for those early settlers who put their faith in the GWR, and the dangers came not only from working conditions within the railway factory. In 1841 building contractors J.D. & C. Rigby began work on 300 cottages in what today is known as the Railway Village. The company houses were overcrowded and conditions unhygienic with an insufficient water supply sourced from the Wilts & Berks Canal. A slaughterhouse and pig sties discharged into the streets while overflowing cesspits and ineffective drainage created frequent outbreaks of smallpox, typhus, typhoid and cholera.

As the ‘principal locomotive establishment’ opened in 1843 and families settled into their less than ideal homes, the railway men established the GWR Locomotive Department Sick Fund. In 1844 provision was extended and it became the GWR Locomotive and Carriage Department Sick Fund Society. Membership became a condition of employment, offering various levels of sickness benefit and provision for funerals. The management committee consisted of elected members and the Works Manager was President ex-officio with some financial assistance coming from the GWR directors.

Swindonians are well acquainted with the legend that was the GWR Medical Fund, innovator of a wrap around system of health care for more than 100 years. Fortunately, some of the buildings central to that organisation still survive – the Milton Road Baths/Health Hydro and the Medical Fund Hospital now called the Central Community Centre, are evidence of the comprehensive health care system enjoyed by railway employees and their families. Subsumed into the post second world war National Health Service, the Medical Fund became redundant in 1948, but what about the ‘Sick Fund?’

Now, if like me, you had heard of the Sick Fund and believed it to have evolved into the Medical Fund, you would be wrong. The Sick Fund Society was always a separate entity and survived long after the establishment of the NHS. Local Studies in Swindon Central Library hold a collection of Sick Fund ephemera, including Rule Books dated 1953 and 1971, long after the end of the Medical Fund and the introduction of the NHS. Further research is required to establish when this organisation was eventually dissolved, but this evidence proves it was in existence long after the demise of the Medical Fund.

Those early settlers were not only railway pioneers but social activists and reformers, and many of them were later buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. You can read about some of them here on this growing archive.

Milton Road Baths

The 42^nd annual general meeting of the members of the GWR Locomotive and Carriage Department Sick Fund Society, was held on Monday last in the hall of the Mechanics’ Institute. There was a very small attendance.

Mr J. Williams presided, and was supported on the platform by Messrs. J. Horsington, James Beer, Robert Carver, Edward Leonard, Thomas Anderson, and Wm. Bell, committeemen: Mr S. Whiteman, treasurer; Mr George Stone, secretary, and Mr H. Gibbons, assistant secretary. The report presented was as follows:-

In submitting this, the forty first annual report of the society for your consideration we trust it will meet with your approval. Your committee are pleased to report that the society register is now completed (for which the best thanks of the society are due to the trustees) and it has been so arranged that every member’s ticket number shall be his registered number in the society, therefore to prevent any confusion in the future, as well as to facilitate the work of the secretaries, members are requested to see that their ticket number is properly entered on their medical certificate when declaring on sick benefit, also that it is properly dated, as several cases have recently come under the notice of the committee where members have worked the greater part, and in some instances the whole of the day, and sent their certificates in, dated for that day, which is decidedly contrary to rule. Your committee wish to inform the members that at a committee meeting held June 12^th, 1884, the following resolution was passed, which we venture to think will be appreciated and approved of by the members: “That so much of the funds of the society as may not be wanted for immediate use, or to meet the usual accruing liabilities, may, with the consent of the Committee of Management, be lent to members upon mortgage of freehold house property, at 5 per cent per annum. All application for the above must be from members over 21 years of age, and over two years standing in the Society.” Since passing the above resolution we have advanced to members the sum of £310, £10 of which has been repaid. Our total investments now amount to £4,116; and the increase in our balance this year is £520 1s 10d.

Attached to the report was a financial statement, and a list of members who had received benefits during the year. The present number of members is 6,051, made up as follows:- Locomotive department 4,049, carriage department 1,747, outside members 206, superannuated 23, widows 30. The general fund account showed the balance brought forward from last year was £4,471 19s 3d; the contributions of members amounted to £4,582 18s 2d; fines, £27 17s 9d; dividends, £184 9s; income tax returned £27 17s 9d; contribution cards, 18s 4d; returned from Management Fund £72 2s 4d; total, £9,323 10s 10d. On the expenditure side it appeared that the superannuation allowance comes to £385 17s 4d, the sick benefits to £3,207 13s; funeral benefit £489; returned contributions £50 16s 6d, and 5 per cent of contributions to Management Fund £228 2s 11d, the balance at the end of the year being £4,992 1s 1d. The management fund showed an actual expenditure of £156 0s 7d, while the balance showed that the total value of the funds on December 31^st last was £5,012 1s 1d, of which £4,116 was invested as follows:- GWR 5 per cent preference stock £800, New Swindon Gas Co. 5 per cent debentures £600, Swindon Cemetery 4 per cent £1,500, Metropolitan District Railway 4 per cent. £500, Kittering and Mapstone 4 per cent £416, on mortgage at 5 per cent £300, in addition to £658 2s in the County of Gloucester Bank, and £237 19s 1d in the hands of the treasurer.

The proceedings were opened by the Secretary reading the minutes of the past year’s meeting. These having been passed, and the report taken as read, the Chairman said he did not see that it required supplementary remarks, and he asked that it be adopted. This was unanimously done, and discussion thereon invited, the Chairman saying it was a great surprise to the committee themselves to see such a good balance after the extraordinary amount of sick pay they had been called upon for during the past year. There being no response, or no question to ask the Auditors as to the manner in which they found their accounts, the report was adopted.

The Chairman said the committee felt very strongly on the matter referred to in second paragraph of the report. It was found that the practices therein complained of were very prevalent. Members detected blamed the doctor, but the society had nothing to do with the doctor – only with the member, whom they could fine, and were determined to do so in future. If a member went in the first quarter in the morning and found he could not keep on, the society would be very willing to pay him, but if he stayed at home the first quarter and then went in they thought he should not be paid.

The election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr George Stone was unanimously re-elected secretary, on the proposition of Mr George Howse. Mr S. Whiteman was unanimously re-elected treasurer, on the proposition of Mr T. Money. Mr H. Hinton was re-elected steward. As committee men, Messrs J. Williams and Edward Leonard were unanimously re-elected for the Loco Department; Mr James Beer was proposed for re-election for the carriage Department, but Mr Hillier proposed in his stead Mr Edward Bullock. On a vote being taken there were ten hands held up for Mr. Bullock, and an overwhelming majority for Mr Beer, who was, therefore, declared elected. Mr T. Lucas was re-elected auditor. On the proposition of Mr George Howse, a vote of thanks was passed to the committee for past services, and the proceedings closed, not having occupied 20 minutes.

Swindon Advertiser, Saturday, January 31, 1885.

GWR Medical Fund Hospital

Frederick George Wright – a loss to public life of Swindon

Frederick George Wright’s grave is surmounted by a magnificent monument. The obituary published in the North Wilts Herald was fulsome, his reputation lived on long after his death. Yet he lies alone in the grave plot in Radnor Street Cemetery, which seems a little sad.

I wanted to discover more about the women in his life, but apart from the basic officialdom there is little to learn.

His first wife Minnie Florence Matthews was born in 1862 at White Cross, Hereford, the daughter of accountant William Matthews and his wife Mary Anne. At the time of the 1881 census she was living with her widowed mother and her brother Thomas at 7 Edgar Street, Hereford where she states her occupation as ‘governess.’ Minnie married Frederick at St Mary’s Church, Cheltenham where she gives her address as 3 Promenade, Cheltenham. The couple had two daughters, Amy Florence Hughes Wright born in 1885 and Margaret Evelyn Houghton Wright in 1894. Minnie died on October 16, 1920.

In the December quarter of 1921 Frederick married Violet Dorothy Hamilton Cordon. Violet was born on July 7, 1891 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire the daughter of Walter Cordon, a Colliery Proprietor and Sanitary Pipe Manufacturer, and his wife Hannah. Violet trained as a nurse, gaining her certificate at Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End in Stratford, London in 1918. In the year following Frederick’s death she was living at 12 Okus Road, Swindon. Violet died on October 19, 1976 at the Sceats Memorial Home in Gloucester.

Both Frederick’s two wives and his two unmarried daughters are buried elsewhere.

But now for Frederick’s story?

Loss to Public Life of Swindon

Death of Major F.G. Wright: former Mayor of the Town

The death at his home in Bath-road, Swindon, in the early hours of yesterday morning, of Major Frederick George Wright, J.P., at the age of 75, has taken from public life one who for more than half a century had actively associated himself with a wide variety of interest affecting the welfare of the borough and of the county.

He had been in failing health for several years, but maintained a courageous front, and almost up to the very last his indomitable spirit remained uppermost. His advanced age was against him, however, and about two o’clock yesterday morning he succumbed to a heart attack.

Since 1936 Major Wright had, under medical advice, gradually been relinquishing some of his public work, and his personal interest had already been missed in many quarters.

Service with the GWR

An engineer by profession, he applied his knowledge to great advantage in the public interest during the war.

Born in Birmingham, Major Wright was educated at Crypt Grammar School, Gloucester, and privately. Entering the service of the GWR Company as an apprentice in the locomotive shops at Gloucester in 1876 under his father, he was moved to Bristol in 1879.

Three years later he was transferred to the Drawing Office at Swindon, and became Chief Draughtsman in 1892.

Four years later he was appointed Assistant Manager of the Locomotive Works, and in 1901 became Principal Assistant to the Chief Mechanical Engineer, from which office he retired in July, 1932, after 19 years’ service.

Major Wright, who had lived in Swindon for 56 years, was a member of the New Swindon Urban Council, and was its last chairman.

Until quite recently he was an Alderman of the Town Council and was Swindon’s third Mayor. He became a magistrate in 1906.

A member of the old Volunteer Corps, he received his commission in the 2^nd Battalion of the Wilts Regiment in July 1900. On the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908, he was instrumental in raising from the GWR Works the Fortress Company of the Royal Engineers. From 1912-17 he was Major commanding the Dorset and Wilts (Fortress) Royal Engineers, T.F., and was in the Territorial Force Reserve from 1917 to 1921, retiring in October, 1921, with the rank of Major.

Medical Fund Trustee

The oldest vice-president and trustee of the GWR Medical Fund Society, Major Wright had been a trustee of the Sick Fund Society for 55 years, while he also accomplished valuable work for the Mechanics Institution. In regard to the latter movement his deep practical interest found expression in connection with the library, and he effected many economies in the purchase of books.

Serving on the County Council before the war, he was re-elected after his retirement and became an Alderman in 1934, but retired three years later.

A Conservative and a Churchman he was for 13 years churchwarden at St. Paul’s, Swindon, and was a past president of the Swindon and North Wilts branch of the former English Church Union. He was one of the oldest members of the Swindon Rotary Club.

Major Wright was also chairman and managing director of the Swindon United Gas Company, chairman of the Swindon United Gas Company, chairman of the Swindon and District Gas Corporation Ltd., and chairman of the New Swindon Permanent Benefit Building Society. From its inception until 1937 he was a member of the Territorial Force Association, and was a member of the Swindon Area Guardians Committee.

Gas Company Chairman

In later years his chief interest was as chairman of the Swindon United Gas Company, of which he had been a director for 25 years, with a break during the war.

Outstanding, perhaps, in the constructive influence that he brought to bear in his public work, was his constant interest in the County Roads and Bridges Committee, of which he was vice-chairman. It may be claimed that as a result of his efforts nearly all the roads from Swindon to the County boundaries were reconstructed. He too, actively championed the move that resulted in Swindon obtaining greatly increased representation on the County Council.

He leaves a widow (his second wife) and two daughters by his first wife – Miss Margaret Wright of 12 Okus-road, Swindon, and Miss Amy Wright.

Members of Swindon Rotary Club stood in silent tribute to Major F.G. Wright at the beginning of their lunch yesterday.

Before the business of the Swindon Borough Police Court yesterday, the chairman, Mr. F. Eyres announced Major Wright’s death. The Bench wished to place on record its regret at his passing.

North Wilts Herald, Friday, 8 April, 1938.

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.

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.

Astley Cooper Swinhoe – a career full of promise

Astley Cooper Swinhoe was born on August 30, 1871 the 8th of George Money and Diana Swinhoe’s 12 children who survived to adulthood. He was baptised on November 17, 1871 by his grandfather, Rev Thomas William Wrench, Rector at St Michael’s, Cornhill in the City of London.

By 1901 Astley was working alongside his father and brother as a medical practitioner at Park House where he died on March 18, 1905.

Dr Astley Cooper Swinhoe

Death of Mr Astley Cooper Swinhoe

The Funeral

An Impressive Service

We deeply regret to announce the death of Mr. Astley Cooper Swinhoe, who passed away at Park House, Swindon, Saturday. The deceased gentleman, who was the third son of Dr. G.M. Swinhoe, contracted pneumonia, and this hastened his death in a painfully sudden manner.

He was well-known and highly esteemed by all classes in Swindon and the loss will be keenly felt. Deceased, who was only 33 years of age, was educated at Marlborough College, and had his medical training in London, where he was for some time in St Thomas’s Hospital. His career was full of promise.

Amid signs of mourning on every hand, the mortal remains of the late Dr Astley Cooper Swinhoe, who died last Saturday, after a short illness, at the early age of 33 years, were laid to rest in Swindon Cemetery on Wednesday morning.

It was a beautiful spring morning, and there was an immense concourse of persons assembled in the Cemetery, where the cortege arrived at a quarter past ten. The mourners left Park House at half-past nine, and proceeded to St Mark’s Church, where a large congregation had gathered. The service was simple and impressive, and was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. A.G. Gordon Ross, and the Rector of Inkpen, the Rev. H. D. Butler, a former curate at St Mark’s, who also officiated at the graveside.

The body was enclosed in an elm shell, with unpolished oak coffin, with massive brass furniture. On the lid of the coffin was a large brass cross, at the foot of which was the following inscription:- “Astley Cooper Swinhoe, died March 18^th, 1905, aged 33 years.”

The coffin was made by Mr Joseph Williams, and the funeral arrangements carried out by Messrs Chandler Bros., Swindon.

Extracts from The Swindon Advertiser, Friday, March 24, 1905.

Swinhoe Astley Cooper of Park-house New Swindon Wiltshire died 18 March 1905 Administration London 15 April to George Money Swinhoe surgeon Effects £1533 2s 2d

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Dr Astley Cooper Swinhoe was buried in grave plot E8228/29/30 which he shares with his parents and three brothers.