Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 01 March 1941

Mr. W. A. Lewis

Twenty-five Years as Chairman

Mr. W. A. Lewis, who was elected chairman of the Montagu Hospital Board of Management for the 25th time on Saturday, has a proud record of service in his working and public life.

A native of Mexborough, Mr. Lewis had 47 years’ service with the Great Central (now L.N.E.R.) Railway before he retired in 1926.

Apart from two years which he spent at Denaby Main Colliery, Mr. Lewis was employed on the railway throughout his working life. He entered the service of the railway company in September, 1879, when he was 18. His two absorbing interests are the Montagu Hospital and the Oxford Road Wesleyan Reform Church. He has been president of the Oxford Road Church for many year and is No. 1 on the preaching plan of the Wesleyan Retain’ Union, Mexborough and Rotherham District, showing that he is the oldest preacher in the circuit.

His interest in the Hospital dates back to the time when he was elected to the Management Committee as a representative of the Oxford Road Church.

Mr. Lewis also took an interest in the Co-operative Movement, and for some years was Chairman of the local Guild in conjunction with the Barnsley British Co-operative Society. He was one of the small group of men who induced the Barnsley British Co-operative Society to open a branch at Mexborough to develop the area.