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MEN STILL LIVING.
Perhaps this book ought to close with the preceding chapter. I have been strongly advised by friends whose opinions I value, to draw the line where the Great Divider draws it—at Death; but in view of the example set by Biographical Dictionaries, and in accordance with what I have previously printed, I feel constrained to add the names of a few workers whose labour is in the past, or who have turned their faces to the setting sun by intimating retirement, or whose age is such that "as a tale that is told'' the tale approaches completion. How I should like to pay my homage to the faithful men and women in many departments with whom I have worked, or whom I have known, or who are quietly doing what they conceive to be their duty for God and humanity, without notice and sometimes even without appreciation, for gratitude is a rare plant. Let them however remember the words of Charles Mackay's song—
"Never yet I knew a man
Who made others' good his plan,
Who was not over-paid in peace of mind."
and in addition they may anticipate the joy of " Harvest Home."
Space here will admit of mention of not more than a mere handful of names, leaving the multitude of aged workers unnoticed. May the hope be expressed that whoever reads this paragraph will say to any tired worker in his circle "Thank you," "Well done," "Cheer up," for such a word fitly spoken how good it i !
SIR JAMES M. BARRIE, O.M., Bart., M.A., LL.D., (b. 1860), the author of many novels, dramatic works, etc. Rector of the Ancient University of St. Andrew's, etc., was in the late Seventies on the editorial staff of the "Nottingham Journal," and wrote its leaders. Writing to Sir Jesse Boot forty years afterwards he says, "I have a natural affection for Nottingham and its Journal." When he left Nottingham for the Metropolis, he says—speaking in his Rectorial Address—"Doubtless He (the Almighty) could have provided us with better fun than hard work, but I don't know what it is. To be born poor is probably the next best thing. The greatest glory that has ever come to me was to be swallowed up in London, not knowing a soul, with no means of subsistence, and the fun of working till the stars went out . . . .There was no food in the cupboard, so I didn't need to waste time in eating," etc. Courage even in extremities was the burden of his message. (See "Times," May 4th, 1922).
JOHN POTTER BRISCOE, (b. 1848), F.R.S.L., etc., after being sub-librarian at Bolton, was in 1869 appointed as the chief Librarian of the Nottingham Municipal Libraries, and so continued until 1916, when he asked the Committee to relieve him of the responsibilities of administration, he having served a longer period than any other officer in the service, and he was made Consulting City Librarian, his son, Mr. W. A. Briscoe, being appointed to the office he had held. The growth of the work is indicated by the fact that in 1868 70,512 volumes had been issued during the year, and in 1918 the issue was 489,398 volumes.
Mr. Briscoe edited "Notts, and Derbyshire Notes and Queries," was author of "Curiosities of the Belfry;" "Gleanings from God's Acre;" "Stories about the Midlands;" "Bypaths of Notts. History," and Editor of "Old Notts," 2 vols., "The Bibelots," and other local and Masonic publications.
FELIX OSWALD, (b. 1866), D.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., Registrar of the Courts of Probate at Nottingham and Derby, has resided for some years in a bungalow making excavations on the site of the Roman Margidunum, in the parish of East Bridgford, and specimens of what he found may be seen in the Lodge of Nottingham Castle Museum.
In 1898 he travelled and explored in Turkish Armenia, and made important contributions to the mapping of that region, and to the knowledge of its geology. The book—"The Geology of Armenia,"—descriptive of the work, was set up in type by Dr. Oswald, and printed page by page by him, 104 copies only being made.
In 1912 by the generous help of a number of gentlemen he went to Victoria Nyanza and the Kish Highlands, to collect on behalf of the British Museum specimens, and to make a thorough investigation of the locality. He journeyed without escort of any kind, and the record descriptive of his work was given in a Lecture before the Royal Geographical Society, and printed by them, and further in a book written .and published by him in 1915, entitled "Alone in the Sleeping Sickness Country." This book has a map of the district, and 70 illustrations from photographs made by him.
He in conjunction with Dr. T. Davies Pryce in 1920 published "An Introduction to the Study of Terra Sigillata treated from a chronological standpoint." This is a book of 286 pages, and then follow 75 plates, with innumerable illustrations of vessels decorated in moulded relief, having in addition to form, beautiful examples of adornment, figures with and without costumes, distinctive marks and plain forms. A work showing infinite pains.
An article appeared in "The Times" of April 5th, 1924, with illustrations of the objects found, and summarizing the conclusions arrived at by Dr. Oswald's work. A singular suggestion is made that some of the oak planks found in the oldest of the wells explored were from a British oak growing in the time of Jesus Christ, and are as sound now as ever.
CAPTAIN S. E. TROTMAN, M.A., F.D.C. Among the many men who devoted themselves heart and soul to the welfare of their country in its hour of need in the Great War, the work of Captain Trotman deserves notice. He was Science Master at the Nottingham High School, and there he voluntarily trained the Cadet Corps so well that when the War broke out the University College Training Corps Committee requested him to undertake the training work, which he did, without fee or reward. He was then City and Public Analyst, and the work of training the young fellows to make them suitable for officers involved that in order to carry on his professional duties, which were necessary for obtaining a living, he had to rise so early that he could devote hours to them before nine o'clock, when he must go to Bulwell Hall for his training work, and in the evening return again to his Laboratory. By such efforts he trained 2,000 Cadets to become Officers, in addition to attested recruits, many of whom also became Officers, and the Corps supplied to the Sherwood Foresters 300 Officers.
In this work Mrs. Trotman so heartily joined that, their house became a home for the reception of the young fellows who were away from home, and eventually it had to be transferred to rooms in Bulwell Hall, in order that a little domestic comfort might be obtained, and further that motherly aid might be rendered to the boys who were resident.
Captain Trotman's case presented a man who observed, reflected, and acted. He had travelled in Germany, and seen the preparations, and arrived at the conclusion that War was intended; he thereupon resolved that he would do all that one man could towards saving his country, and he did it.
HENRY E. THORNTON, J.P., (b. 1842), Banker, Nottingham, entered his relatives' private Bank of Samuel Smith & Co., in 1869, and left it fifty years afterwards; he having meanwhile succeeded to the local management, and the Bank having been amalgamated with the Union Bank of London, of which he became a local director. He was for many years active in the promotion of the religious and charitable institutions of the town and country, particularly in aid of the Church Missionary Society, founded in 1799 largely by what was called "the Clapham Sect," in which the Thorntons were prominent, from whom Mr. Thornton is descended. (See the "Biography of Wilberforce" a Narrative by R. Cowpland, p. 251). Of the General Hospital he was in 1908 the President, and he visited that Institution on Sunday afternoons.
His first wife was a sister of Field-Marshal Lord Grenfell, P.O., G.C.B., etc., and his second wife one of the Abel Smith family, Bankers of Lombard Street and Hertfordshire. His eldest daughter is the wife of the Bishop of Winchester. Two of his sons sacrificed their lives in the Great War, and one is Rector of Wollaton.
SIR JOHN ROBINSON, (b. 1839), of Worksop Manor, had an only son, John Sandford Robinson, and his benefactions have tenderly clung round the life and memory of that son. On the donor's birthday in 1889, he being Sheriff of Nottingham, and his son coming of age, 12 almshouses were built at Sherwood, each occupant receiving 5/- a week and being rent free. In 1899 Sandford having died the year previously, 12 almshouses, and a house for the Caretaker, were built at Daybrook, in memory of the son, and having a like benefit. £1,000 was in 1911 given to build the Childrens' wing at Worksop Victoria Hospital, in memory of his first wife. St. Anne's Church at Worksop, was built for 600 worshippers and endowed in memory of his. wife and son. In 1917 £1,000 was given to endow a bed in the Men's Ward in Worksop Hospital, in like memory. In 1921, he being President of the Nottingham General Hospital, £10,000 was given on what would have been the son's 53rd birthday. Four houses for disabled soldiers, wounded in the War, were in 1923 in like manner dedicated, and the keys were presented to the occupants by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales as he went to Welbeck Abbey.
To found a fund for increasing the incomes of the poor clergy in the Archdeaconry of Newark having less than £300 a year, £5,000 was given. The scheme—in which Archdeacon Hacking is joined—contemplates a gift of say £200, on £200 more being locally raised; the Ecclesiastical Commissioners thereupon add £400, which together invested at 4½per cent, increases the income £36 per annum.
Some additional almshouses at Daybrook for disabled soldiers are also announced. The almshouses are carefully administered by Lady Robinson. Sir John was High Sheriff in 1901.
SIR JESSE BOOT, Bart., (b. 1850). The tale ought to be told,— (but there is not room for it here) — of his early struggles—his help to his widowed mother— his determination to succeed in business—his wise choice of a wife—(nee Miss Florence Rowe)—the engagement of Mr. E. S. Waring, a qualified chemist—the training of students for dispensing chemists—the multiplicity of trade departments—the Social Welfare work among the employees—the establishment of recreation grounds and clubs for the heads of departments at the Plaisaunce, in Wilford Lane, and for the workpeople generally at the Athletic Grounds on Radcliffe Road,—the building and endowment of the "Dorothy Boot Homes" at Wilford, for Crimean and Indian Mutiny Veterans.—the Albert Hall benefactions—all these, and more, should be narrated.
The Great War with all its horrors came. Thank God, the Navy was ready at an hour's notice, and so we were saved; but the rest was largely a state of un-preparedness, and so the agony was intensified and prolonged. We had allowed the dyes, the drugs, the essential chemicals for medicine, for trade, for explosives, to fall into the hands of the Germans. (See "The Life of Lord Moulton," Chapters 7 and 8). The Boots' Companies immediately set on a number of analytical chemists, and built in succession five large blocks of buildings for the production of various chemical requisites as antidotes for poison gas, and poisoned water, and supplied them by millions on millions.
Honours came to Sir Jesse,—a Knighthood; the Freedom of the City,—a Baronetcy; but his health had succumbed to a physical disability, and competition being threatened, amalgamation and retirement became essential.
Then came the announcement of gifts to his native City; parks within the City boundaries but adjacent to West Bridgford, to Beeston, to Arnold; ninety acres for sports and playing fields, a site and building fund for the North Midland University; the endowment of a Chair of Chemistry at University College, and of Sociology at the Paton Congregational College; the endowment of the Cedars Convalescent Home in connection with the General Hospital; and other purposes on which "SOCIAL BETTERMENT" might be inscribed in large letters; the total amount so bountifully bestowed approximated to Five hundred thousand pounds; for the effectual working of which a Trust Deed of Settlement with Trustees, was executed.
"I have always taken a pleasure in my work," was observed by Sir Jesse, "and there is no pleasure like it. Every man should find the work he is best fitted for, and then work for all he is worth."
REV. HENRY TELFORD HAYMAN, (b. 1853), M.A., son of Dr. Hayman, of Eastbourne, after being educated at Bradfield and Corpus Christi, Cambridge, was ordained in 1877, and became curate at St. Andrew's Nottingham, under Canon Tebbutt, and later Vicar of Ruddington; in 1884 Vicar of Edwinstowe, and in 1907 Rector of Thornhill, Dewsbury. In his early days he was a great athlete, particularly in cricket, when he played in the Kent team. He married Ellen Cobham Brewer, daughter of Dr. Cobham Brewer, the distinguished scientist. He has specially devoted his ministry to two objects. (1) He has for twenty years been Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Freemasons, and Past Grand Chaplain, England, and (2) he was for twenty-eight years Chaplain of the 7th Battalion Notts, and Derby Regiment (Robin Hoods). This office he was compelled to retire from when he reached the age limit. He wished to go with them to France in the Great War, but was not allowed by reason of his age. He is a great favourite with the men, for he has devoted himself heart and soul to their welfare, and now has a powerful influence for good with them.
REV. RICHARD J. KING, (b. 1845), having been educated at the P. & 0. School at Southampton, obtained his B.A. at London University, took Holy Orders, and in 1878 became curate at Warsop, and so continued eighteen years, being also Diocesan Inspector of Schools. He was then appointed Rector, which living he held for twenty-three years, resigning through ill health in 1919. In 1884, while he was still curate, he completed and published "Warsop Parish Registers: with Notes and Illustrations." The Register commenced in 1538, and in one hundred pages the author gives much interesting and useful information as to the fine old church, the parish and its people, with notes on the social condition of the times recorded. The biographical items given are valuable, and the work is a commendable one for a clergyman to undertake.
During his Incumbency the church was enriched with good substantial oak benches, an efficient heating apparatus was provided, the bells re-cast, the beautiful stained glass East window and the handsome oak reredos erected.
He was greatly interested in children and the schools, the Temperance movement, Odd Fellowship, music, chess, etc. A presentation to him was made by the parishioners.
REV. ROBERT A. McKEE, for forty years Vicar of Farnsfield, was an M.A. of St John's College, Cambridge, and graduated in 1877. He was Secretary of the Board of Education for the Archdeaconry of Nottingham, appointed 1897, until he resigned. He was also local Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign parts, from 1903. His chief work outside his parish was in the preservation, repair and improvement of the Church of England Schools. He had a clear vision of what could be done, and what ought to be done, and in whatever part of the Diocese there was need, there he would be as the trusted friend and adviser of trustees and managers. He was made Rural Dean of Southwell in 1910, and Canon of Rampton in 1915. Mrs. McKee has always been encouraging and helpful.
COLONEL EDWARD H. NICHOLSON, Newark, M.A. of Balliol College, Oxford, has for fifty years devoted much of his leisure time to the furtherance of education in Newark and the county generally, for he has acted on the principle of realizing the value of the education he had received, and of his duty to extend it to others. It is largely due to his exertions that his native town possesses in their present advantageous form its well-known Boys' and Girls' High Schools, and its excellent School of Science and Art. In the county he has for twenty-one years supervised the work of the Training of Teachers Sub-Committee, from its birth to the attainment of its majority. The extent of its growth may be gauged by the fact that its expenditure was in 1902-3 £131; to-day it is £11,664, and the number of intending teachers in training is nearly seven hundred, mostly at the County Centres established and maintained by the Committee at Hucknall, West Bridgford, Brincliffe (Nottingham) and Sutton-in-Ashfield. The first three of these have already reached the status of Secondary Schools, and are serving private pupils as well as County Scholarship holders. In order to aid young teachers in learning how to impart religious instruction, for which there is practically little or no provision in the public colleges, and deeming religion to be at the foundation of the building up of character, Col. Nicholson has—outside the County Education work— organized religious instruction classes in each Deanery in Nottinghamshire, which are open to all Sunday School and Acting and Intending Teachers in town or county who care to attend them. This ought to have an important influence on the welfare of some of the fifty thousand children on the registers of the County Elementary Schools.
J. H. BEARDSMORE, (b. 1850), was born at Annesley Park, and was for forty years in the office of the Hucknall Colliery Company, and during the latter part of the time private secretary to the Right Hon. J. E. Ellis, M.P. He in 1909 published a History of Hucknall. He and his wife were for forty years teachers in the Church Sunday School. He was a Lay Church Reader twenty-seven years. In 1873 he started the Church Band of Hope, and fifty years afterwards a Jubilee May Day Festival was held, and he invited all the May Queens that could be found, and more than twenty-five of those who had been crowned in the days of their youth assembled to congratulate their old conductor, and to see a representation of Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, and other old Forest characters. The photograph taken shows a garden scene, with Mr. and Mrs. Beardsmore, and Mr. and Mrs. Foster, and the "Queens" from young girls to matronly mothers.
On retiring from active service as Secretary to the Hucknall and District Nursing Association, the Committee, by the Duchess of Portland, presented to Mrs. Beardsmore a wristlet watch "in grateful recognition of thirty years splendid work—1894-1924."
THOMAS HARDY, (b. 1838), Bulwell, was reared at Colwick, his father being a game-keeper, and his mother an Aberdeen servant girl. At 6 years of age he was accidentally shot in the knee, and so was crippled for life. He was fond of nature, and so learned much, but his parents became too poor to send him to school. The great crisis of his life came at his conversion, which brought about a wonderful quickening of all his powers, and he diligently applied himself to self education.
He became a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, Class Leader, and for 60 years a Local Preacher of signal power.
When young, he worked in the stocking-frame, but during the American Civil War little or no cotton could be had, and so stocking makers were unemployed and starving. He went to Quorndon and learned to work a patent machine for making ladies' neckties, did well, and being a total abstainer saved money.
After several years, having a passion for watches, he apprenticed himself for 2 years to a first-class watchmaker, worked hard, studied the best technical books, bought the best tools, set up on his own account, and prospered, employing workmen.
He was Chairman of the Hucknall School Board, and later on the Nottingham School Board, and for 16 yearn a member of the City Council.
He promoted the building of six Methodist Chapels, and laboured continuously for them: now he rests.
WILLIAM EDWARD KNIGHT, (b. 1844), of Newark, Corn, Seed and Coal Merchant, was the son of James Knight who at fourteen years of age entered the office of a firm of Solicitors at Newark, and with ability and faithfulness served them sixty-four years. When his schooldays were finished, the son also went in to a Solicitor's office, and served seven years. Later he commenced business in partnership with Mr. G.Halstead, which business is now a limited company. He has been a Wesleyan Local Preacher for sixty-one years. He joined the Town Council in 1880, was afterwards made an Alderman, served as Mayor in 1889, and during the Great War held the office four years in succession. He is a J.P. of the Borough and the County a Governor of the Magnus Grammar School, the Girls' High School, Chairman of the Manor Charities, etc. In December, 1919, he was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough by the unanimous vote of the Council; only two others—the Duke of Portland and the Duke of Newcastle—having been so honoured. He bought the Hodgkinson Mansion, North Gate House, and gardens, with adjacent houses; divided and adapted the house, with separate floors and entrances, settled it in trust for the Y.M.C.A. and Y.W.C.A., and part of the gardens for the recreation of the young people of Barnby Gate Wesleyan Schools, and other part and houses for the higher education of soldiers' children, with remainder for poor children chosen by the Education Authority.
MRS. KNIGHT, who died in 1918, was an unwearied visitor of the sick, and active in all philanthropic labours. She worked hard for the Belgian Refugees, and in the many branches of War benevolent work, until a few months before her departure to a better world. She had honours from Belgium and Russia.
WILLIAM H. PARKER, (b. 1845), of New Basford, retired Insurance official, has for many years been a composer of hymns for children. As a lad of fifteen he wrote his first poem, and at nineteen he was a Sunday School teacher and local preacher. He became Superintendent of the School and Secretary of the Chelsea Street Baptist Church. At each anniversary of the school one of his hymns has been sung. Many have been written for the National Sunday School Union, and fifteen of them are included in "The Sunday School Hymnary." "As a teacher of small children he is an adept in the art of story telling," says the Rev. Carey Bonner. "Tell us the stories of Jesus" is one of the most popular hymns. "I want to be a hero," "Wilt Thou shew us the Father," are among others. For fifty-seven years he has been writing hymns for children and doing other church work.
JOSEPH WARDLE, (b. 1839), of Chilwell, retired Insurance Officer, is a Wesleyan Local Preacher, having begun to preach among the Primitive Methodists in 1862, so that he has served over sixty years, and still continues this work. He says that he has lived and laboured in twelve different circuits, and occupied more than three hundred different pulpits. He has been an extensive traveller on the Continent, in Palestine, Egypt, and in America. He was connected with the Manchester City Mission, and was there deputed to show General Gordon over the slums and ragged schools, when Gordon became so interested that he worked as one of them among the boys, exerting an influence for good which they will never forget. A booklet Mr. Wardle printed gives interesting particulars of that wonderful mystic, whose fate wrought with mighty force in the minds of the people, and in the destiny of the Soudan.
SIR JOHN TURNEY, (b. 1838), founded the business and built the works for Leather dressing adjoining Trent Bridge, Nottingham, and after residing at Alexandra Park, settled at Gedling House.
Sir John was fond of telling how as a child at Lenton he was sent to a dame's school, for which his parents paid 2d. a week, and that afterwards he went to Lenton National School. For a short time he attended the Lincoln Grammar School, but from the age of twelve to nineteen he spent three nights a week at the People's College and the School of Art in Nottingham learning especially mechanical drawing.
His relations with his workpeople were shown by the presentation to him, in August, 1919, of a congratulatory address of warmest appreciation, the spokesman, Mr. Singleton, having worked with the firm fifty-four years.
Sir John was a member of the Corporation forty-six years; Sheriff in 1878, then Alderman, and in 1886-8 Mayor for two years. In 1889 he was knighted for his valuable services to the community, and his portrait was presented to him. For thirty-eight years he was Chairman of the Works and Ways Committee, and acted on many other Committees, for in all the improvements of the City (which were many and great during fifty years) he had a hand. This was acknowledged by the Council, who in 1916 presented him with the Freedom of the City. He became the father, or senior, of the Council. Of Mr. Arthur Brown, the Corporation Engineer, Sir John says, "Brown and I had the great advantage of working together nearly fifty years, and so had opportunities to talk about improvements and carry out some of them."
Lady Turney must be mentioned, for she had a large family and yet was an energetic worker in acts of public benevolence.
After the conclusion of the Great War a beautiful window was erected by Sir John as a War Memorial in Gedling Church, the parish of his residence, the cost being, it was said, £1,000. It depicts the Great Example of Christ making His great sacrifice; then of the young men who went to the War devoting themselves to God and the country. The sufferings and sorrows of the people are depicted, with the succourers, helpers, and nurses aiding the wounded, while angels are in attendance, and above is our Lord in Majesty. Many stained glass windows have colour, but no lesson to teach; this one, when the sun is at the right angle, carries a message to each beholder, and on the white marble panel recording the names of the men who made the great sacrifice is inscribed the pious motto, "May they rest in peace, and light eternal shine upon them." "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory."
ALEXANDER R. ANDERSON, C.B.E., F.R.C.S., Nottingham, was for ten years the House Surgeon residing in the General Hospital, and rendering valuable service to the patients, with an exceedingly small salary in those days. He afterwards held the office of Honorary Surgeon to the Institution for thirty-four years, during which period he obtained such skill as to be regarded as the local head of his profession, for by his kind personal interest and sympathetic manner he inspired full confidence, and all this was extended not only to private patients, but also by day and night to the many soldiers in the Hospital during the Great War, and to the Hospital patients and poor people. Hence the scene of his labours, No. 5 Ward, is to be known as "Anderson Ward."
He has retired to the south of England.
HENRY HANDFORD, (b. 1855), of Nottingham and Southwell, M.D. Edin., D.P.H. Camb., F.E.C.P. Lond., was for upwards of twenty years honorary Physician to the General Hospital, Nottingham.
In 1893 he was appointed the first Medical Officer of Health to the Nottinghamshire County Council, and subsequently Chief Medical Officer to the County Education Committee.
On resigning in 1923 he was able to refer to the successful efforts made to preserve the underground Water Supplies of the County; to extend the treatment of Sewage, and to improve the purification of Rivers; to the persistent fall in the general Death Rate, and especially to the remarkable fall in the Infantile Mortality. This latter was mainly due to the efficient supervision of Midwives, and the steadily extending work for Child Welfare.
During the same period the beds in the Tuberculosis Sanatorium have been increased from thirty to one hundred and twenty, and provision has been made for children.
He retains the positions of Consulting County Medical Officer, and Honorary Consulting Physician to the General Hospital, Nottingham.
THE HON. MARY E. HANDFORD, J.P., is the daughter of the first Lord Belper. She has devoted her life to objects connected with social welfare, especially the needs of women and children; having been for the last twenty-eight years Chairman of the Nottingham within Union Boarding Out Committee; Chairman, (1903-1923) of the National Council of Women (Nottingham and Notts. Branch), and with their help she inaugurated a caravan tour through the whole County, with lectures showing what can be done to mitigate the dangers of infection in Tuberculosis—and another caravan tour with an Exhibition and lectures on Child Welfare; for the last seven years she has been Chairman of the Hostel for Women at 1, Robin Hood's Chase, Nottingham.
Of late her efforts have been given to the Notts. Federation of Women's Institutes, of which she is President, having started the first Institute in Nottinghamshire at Southwell, and there are in 1924 Institutes in thirty villages in Nottinghamshire, and where locally maintained with vigour they are accomplishing much good.
CHARLES T. MUSSON, F.L.S., born 1856, at Nottingham, was brought up in the Hosiery trade, joined the Robin Hood Rifles, attended the Science and Art Lectures at the Mechanics' Institute, and later at University College, obtained certificates in Botany, Biology, Geology, and under the University Extension Scheme gained certificate with special distinction, and became Evening Lecturer at University College. He collected Flowering Plants and Land and Fresh Water Mollusca. *In 1887 he went to Australia, and for three years travelled and collected extensively. In 1891 he was appointed at the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Lecturer in Botany, Entomology and Vegetable Pathology, and later Science Master. That College has two hundred pupils, and 3,600 acres of land. In 1920, after twenty-nine years service, he retired on account of age limit. He has devoted himself to Lectures as a Specialist in Nature Study, in Government departments, the Royal Agricultural Society, the Churches, the Students' Christian Union, published many papers and articles, collaborated in producing School Books on Agriculture, etc.
JOSEPH WHITAKER, born 1850, of Rainworth Lodge, near Mansfield, J.P., Fellow of the Zoological Society, Vice-President of the Selborre Society, etc., has made one of the finest collections of white birds known, which he is proud to show. He has also written books, "The Deer Parks of England;" "The Birds of Notts;" "Scribblings of a Hedgerow Naturalist;""Nimrod, Ramrod and Fishing rod Tales," "Jottings of a Naturalist;" "British Duck Decoys," etc., and for fifty years corresponded with and wrote articles in the "Field," "Country Life," etc.
REV. THOMAS GOUGH, B.Sc. (Lond.), F.C.S., (b. 1853), was for thirty-three years Head Master of King Edward VI. Grammar School, Retford, in which about two hundred boys were taught, including forty-six boarders, the number being raised from thirty-two scholars to two hundred and twenty. He had previously been for seven years Head Master of Elmfield College, York. During the time he was at Retford many valuable additions were made to the premises, externally and internally, and especially under his influence a Reference Library, Meteorological Equipment, Natural History and Geological Specimens were added to the School. University extension lectures were arranged for the townspeople in addition to those given by Mr. Gough on scientific subjects and in connection with his extensive foreign travels. He was primarily responsible for the establishment of a High School for Girls, which was later taken over by the County Council. He imparted a high spirit of culture and helpfulness, not only among his boys, but in the town and district generally.
Mrs. Gough in all this work had her share. To provide for fifty boarders necessarily involved much motherly service and self-sacrifice, which was always duly rendered. On their retirement in 1919 presentations were made to both of them. Mrs. Gough has since died.
For sixteen years Mr. Gough served on the Nottinghamshire Education Committee.
"Vivit post funera virtus"
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*(See MSS. in Public Library, Nottingham University College, on "Land and Fresh Water Shells of Notts."