63 YEARS A BUILDING SOCIETY DIRECTOR

DEATH OF MR. JOHN JOHNSON

Retired Newbury Grocer

For the exceptionally long period of 63 years. Mr. John Johnson was a director of the Newbury Building Society. He died on Saturday at his home, " Chesterfield”, Rectory Close, at the great age of 91. His birthday was on January 7th. Mr. Johnson was remarkably vigorous for his years. He retained his interest in the Building Society, of which he was also a trustee, right to the last. Whenever he walked into the town he would look in at the office in Bartholomew-street to see if he could append his signature to any document. and he would enquire how business was progressing. He had a host of friends.

Since he had a slight stroke last July, he had been in failing health, and for the last few weeks he was forced to keep to his bed. Mr. Johnson was born at Twickenham, being the eldest son of the late Mr. George Johnson, a Twickenham market gardener. He. however. entered the grocery and bakery trades at High Wycombe., and coming to Newbury in 1878,, entered into partnership with his father-lit-law, the late Mr. William Joplin, in the grocery business in Cheap street. Later he took this business over and added confectionery. He retired about 1910. On many occasions his services were in demand as a judge in cake competitions.

His great hobby was gardening, and he specialised in flowers. He won many prizes at the old Newbury Horticultural Show, often when in competition with professionals. At Speen Flower Show in 1931, he was awarded the RHS Affiliated Society Silver Medal for a fine display of Polyantha Roses. He was very happy to gain this distinction. A few years ago he interested himself in Greenham House Gardens obtaining permission from the corporation to brighten its borders. Although well over 80 years of age he voluntarily put in a great deal of time planting flowering shrubs and trees, which he paid for out of his own pocket. and he helped to make the grounds a credit to the town.

 His long services on the management side of Newbury Building Society were recognised by his fellow directors making him a presentation of a silver-mounted walking stick, when he had been on the directorate for 6O years. Then in August, 1927, upon the occasion of his golden wedding, they gave him a silver fruit bowl. Of these presents he was very proud.

Prominently identified with the Newbury ex-Wesleyan Church for a very long period, Mr. Johnson held practically every office, and at the time of his death he was still a trustee. He had a musical family. His wife, who died about eight years ago, sang in the choir for nearly 60 years, and three daughters and one son are also choristers. He leaves three sons and three daughters.

THE FUNERAL.

Many old friends, including colleagues of the Newbury Building Society, attended the funeral, which took place yesterday (Wednesday) at the Newbury Methodist Church, Northbrook-street.

 The Rev. A. S. Higson took the service, and the hymns were: " In heavenly love abiding" and “For those we love." The organist, Mr. W. Barrell. played slow movements from two of Mendelssohn’s organ sonatas and " Shall the righteous shine forth (Mendelssohn) as the congregation assembled. At the conclusion of the service he played Elgar's " Nimrod " variations.

 The family mourners were: Mr. William Johnson, Mr. Leonard H. Johnson and Mr. John Burton Johnson (sons), Miss Florence Johnson, Mrs. Herbert Green and Miss Dora Johnson (daughters), Mr. Herbert Green (son-in-law), Mr. Leonard Johnson (grandson), Mrs. Richard Turner and Barbara Green (granddaughters), Mr. Tom Johnson, Hurst (nephew), Mrs. Pearson Smith (niece), Mr. and Mrs. David Sutherland (nephew and niece).

Directors of Newbury Building Society present were: Mr. E. Harold Bance, Mr. C. W. Burns. Mr. Percy Chillingworth, Mr. Dexter Robinson and Mr. L. E. Shergold, also the secretary, Mr. S. G. Povey.

Others in attendance were : Mr. G. E. Slater. Mr. Angus Marshall, Mr. J. S. Herbert. Mr, W. Noakes, Mr. Edmund Bowles, Mr. W. H. Bentley, Mr. J. A. Dean, Mr. W. H. Franks, Mr. H. Moore, Mr. T. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Dolton, Miss Edith Dolton, Mrs. A. G. Herbert, Mrs. Wilfred Hoskings, Mr. and Mrs. R. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Mussell. Mr. A. Vockins, Mr. and Mrs. T. Cripps, Miss Robinson, Miss Moore, Miss Noakes, Mrs. A. Poffley, Mr. H, A. Rolfe, Mr, Bert Austin, Mrs. Barrell. Miss Piper, Mrs. John Webb, Mrs. P. H. Sellwood, Mrs. Stanbrook, Mrs. E. W. Willoughby, Mr. and Mrs. E. Cooper, Mrs. Richardson.

The interment was in the same grave in the Newtown-road Cemetery as that in which the deceased's wife was buried, Wreaths were sent by: Flo, Dora and Will; Len and Leonard; Jack, Winnie and Joan; Elsie, Bert and Barbara: Mollie and Dick; Bell, Frances and Blanche: Nephews and Niece (Hurst); Dorothy and Floss; Grace Hoskings; Mr. and Mrs. Whitman; Mr. and Mrs. Barrell: Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Paynton; All at Silvermere; Vi; Trustees of the Methodist Church, Newbury; Directors and Staff of the Newbury Building Society.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Camp Hopson and Co. Ltd., Newbury.