Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 06 September 1941
A Birthday Tea
Montagu Hospital Chairman Honoured
Officials and members of the Management Board, and Ladies Committee, yesterday paid tribute to Mr W.A. Lewis on the occasion of his 80th birthday on the completion of his 20th year as Chairman of the Hospital Board, at a birthday party, when members of the Board were entertained to tea by the President and Mrs Turner, and the Hon. Treasurer, Mr R. Dayson and Mrs Dayson.
Among the many message of greeting received were a telegram from Captain S.J.O. Montagu, a former President, to Mr Lewis, a letter to Mr Turner regretting Captain and Mrs Montagu’s inability to present their good wishes in person.
Mr A. Laycock, Secretary – Superintendent of the Hospital, read many other messages of congratulation, including those from Mr from Doctor S.O. Hatherley, The Rt Hon. T Williams, M.P., Mr J.W. Hattersley and Alderman G Probert.
Captain Montagu’s Message.
Captain Montagu, in his letter, said he wished he could be present at the presentation, and commented on the glorious thought that Mr. Lewis should celebrate his 80th birthday and 25th anniversary as chairman at the same time.
Mr. Turner commented how nice it was to receive a message from Captain Montagu, still and to realise that he stilt had the interests of the Hospital at heart.
Mr. Turner remarked how nice to celebrate a notable anniversary, the 80th birthday of Mr. W. A. Lewis, who, from a humble beginning in this native town of his in this Hospital and throughout the area, had rendered signal service to his fellow men.
In October, 1928, a public presentation was made to Mr. Lewis in recogniton of the services he had then already rendered. It must be a record in the annals of hospital service for one man. like Mr. Lewis, to be elected for twenty-five consecutive years as chairman of a hospital board. That in itself was evidence of the complete confidence placed in him. Mr. Lewis had occupied the chair throughout all these years, with dignity and distinction. He had worked like a Trojan. He had been a genial and guiding influence. Most men get there if they knew where they wanted to go. and Mr. Lewis had never been at a loss in this respect. He had scarcely missed a day at the Hospital since he was elected chairman of this Hospital 25 years ago. During those years he had guided the destinies of the Board with zeal and devotion. It must be his zest for the game of life, and particularly hospital life, his deep interest in it, and his determination to go on playing it that kept him so fit and young.
Mr. Turner quoted the following. lines as symbolising the long life which Mr. Lewis had spent in the public interest:—
” It’s the steady, constant driving
To the goal for which you’re striving,
Not the speed with which you travel
That will make your victory sure;
It’s the everlasting going
Without whimper or complaining
At the burdens that you’re bearing.
Or the woes you must endure: It’s the holding to a purpose
And the never giving in,
It’s the cutting down the distance
By the little that you win.”
He then presented Mr. Lewis with a cheque as a gesture of the Board’s esteem, and with warmest wishes for many happy returns of this birthday.
A Radio Introduction.
Mr. R. Dayson offered congratulations to Mr. Lewis. He said that he first heard Mr. Lewis’s voice over the wireless when he was making an appeal for the Hospital and he was very pleased to have been associated with him, and to have been able to do something for the Hospital.
The Vice-Chairman of the Board. Mr A. R. Martin, said that few attained the age of 80, and also had 25 years of service as chairman of a Hospital Management Board, and described the difficult years the Hospital had passed through as “growing pains.” It was not many years ago that they had only 40 beds, but now they had three times that number, but there was always something needed at a hospital and he was sure that everyone with its interest at heart would do all in their power to help.
Mr. F. H. Harrop, chairman of the Finance Committee, quoted a passage by Oliver Holmes that ” it was very much better to be 70 years young, than 30 years old,” and said that although they had not always seen eye to eye during Mr. Lewis’s 25 years as chairman of the Hospital Board, they had remained firm friends.
Mr. L. R. Honeywill, on behalf of Manvers Main Collieries Ltd., congratulated Mr. Lewis and added that he did not look a day older than on the first day he saw him, eight years ago. After speaking of the keen Interest the Company took in the Hospital. Mr. Honeywill said he hoped he would hear many more appeals for funds from Mr. Lewis. He concluded by reading a message from a member of the Colliery staff expressing thanks for the treatment he had received in Hospital which had ” undoubtedly saved his life.”
Ald. G. Schofield, J.P., after congratulating Mr. Lewis, said Mexborough must be a healthy place because it had six residents over 80, five over 90, and 260 over 70.
Other speakers were Mr. Robert Clarke and Mrs. Spencer, chairman of the Ladies’ Committee.
Mr. Lewis said he sincerely thanked them for the expressions of goodwill on this, his 80th birthday and 25th year as chairman of the Hospital. He never dreamed of receiving anything like this, and indeed, had always felt a debtor to the Hospital for what had been done for him when he had undergone two major operations. “I have been human like all others.” he said. “but you have been tolerant in all my mistakes, and I have made some.”
Mr. Lewis said he had tried above all other things to cultivate a kindly, and forgiving spirit, and he advised those present to do the same, saying “It is the softest pillow on which you can lay your head when tired, and weary, and worn out.” After commenting on his associations with the officials of the Barnsley British Co-operative Society who had been exceedingly kind to the Hospital. Mr. Lewis expressed heartfelt thanks to Mr. Laycock, Mr. Martin, the Matron (Miss M. J. O’Callaghan), of whom he said, “Never in the history of the Hospital has there been a better matron “; and also the Ladies’ Committee. He concluded by saying. “As long as I retain your confidence I shall do in the future as I have done in the past, and I shall then be able to say that I have been able to serve the present generation.”
A Brief Biography.
Mr. William Albert Lewis was born on September 4th. 1861, at Mexborough, and is the second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lewis also natives of the town.
He attended school at a four-roomed house in Church Street kept by a widow, but left at an early age, and after working for seven years in the lamp room at Denaby Main Colliery went to work on the railway. He worked his way up during 47 years’ service to be a main line passenger driver, a position he held for the last 21 years of his service. At various times he was awarded three certificates by the Company for resourcefulness.
His two absorbing interests are the Montagu Hospital and the Oxford Road Wesleyan Reform Church, of which he has been Life President for several years. He was first elected President thirty years ago, and has never been out of office. He has also held the position of President of the Rotherham and Mexborough Circuit of the Wesleyan Reform Union.
In 1911 he became a member of the Management Board of the Montagu Hospital as a representative of the Oxford Road Church. He was made vice-chairman of the Board in 1915 and chairman in 1916. He has held the position ever since.
Mr. Lewis has also interested himself in the Co-operative movement, and was for some years chairman of the local Guild in connection with the Barnsley British Co-operative Society.
A demonstration of Hospital fire fighting and rescue work, mainly carried out by the nurses, and supervised by Mr. J. Hepworth and Supt. L. Heeson, followed the tea.