Edward Price 1931 Retirement
DORSET DAILY ECHO, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 1931 – ARTICLE ON PAGE 6
RETIREMENT OF CHIEF INSPECTOR PRICE – 47 YEARS SERVICE AT WEYMOUTH – A FRIEND TO ALL
High tributes were paid yesterday to Mr E.H. Price, of Weymouth, at a presentation ceremony at Weymouth railway station.
Recently Mr Price retired from the employment of the Great Western Railway Company after 47 years’ service. Forty-six years of his railway career were spent at Weymouth and for a period of 41 years he acted in the capacity of inspector. Upon his retirement he occupied the position of chief inspector.
150 SUBSCRIBERS
Altogether there were 150 subscribers to the testimonial fund, including all grades of the railway staff at Weymouth and a number of prominent townspeople.
The presentation took the form of a wireless set. The ceremony took place in the general waiting room, where there was a representative gathering of railway officials and employees and prominent townspeople, numbering over 60.
Mr J. Roberts, the stationmaster, presided and said they were honouring one of the old brigade. He spoke of his happy association with Mr Price.
Apologies were acknowledged from Messrs. Bartle Pye, R.G. Pole (divisional superintendent, Bristol), E. Hight (superintendent, Southern Railway, Southampton), A.E. Bryant and J.H. Peacock (assistant superintendents, Bristol), W. Blackmore (travelling inspector, Bristol) and T.H. Carter (ex-travelling inspector, Weymouth).
The chairman read many of the letters of apology containing eulogistic references to Mr Price.
MODEL OFFICER
Speaking of 13 years’ close association with Mr Price, ex-chief divisional inspector C.R. Rogers, of Bristol, said Mr Price was a very active and energetic servant of the railways.
Mr Price was honest, truthful, reliable, careful, kindhearted and unselfish and would be sadly missed both at headquarters and by the Weymouth staff.
The speaker owed personal thanks to Mr Price for his help in arranging staff for special events and for the seasonal traffic connected with Weymouth.
It would be remembered that when Mr Soper retired it was stated that the three inspectors, Messrs. Price, Soper and Pople had never had a cross word.
The late station master at Weymouth (Mr A.W. Best) spoke of his association with Mr Price when they were lads together at adjacent stations 47 years ago. Mr Price was a model man, one of the best railwaymen and supervisers. He was never happier than when doing anyone else a good turn.
“AN INSTITUTION”
Mr R.A. Sims, the goods agent at Weymouth said Mr Price was regarded as an institution and a part of Weymouth station.
Mr Rowe of Messrs. Escott, Rowe and Co., said he had known Mr Price for 35 years. His firm had never had a better friend.
As a member of the travelling public and a fellow citizen, Major H.J. Groves added his congratulations and thanks to Mr Price for all he had done for the Groves family during the time he had been at Weymouth. Travellers always received from him the greatest courtesy and attention and he would be missed at the station.
WHAT THEY ALL FEEL
The chairman asked whether any of the younger men to whom Mr Price “had been a father”, would like to bear testimony to his qualities, a voice from among the men said “That will be all of us, sir”.
Tributes were also added by Inspector Cook, Inspector Oakford, Messrs. J.W. Donne (loco department), Wellman (booking office), Slater (foreman, Southern Railway loco department) and Scriven (road transport).
Before asking Mr Price’s acceptance Mr Percy Boyle, Superintendent G.W.R Weymouth paid a personal tribute to Mr Price. They all wished him health, happiness and long life in which to enjoy his well-earned retirement.
Mr Boyle also asked Mr Price to accept a weekend bag for Mrs Price.
HIS MOTTO
Feelingly Mr Price expressed his thanks for the gift. As a lad, he said, he made as his motto “Do unto others as you would like to be done unto”. This he had observed all through life. He recalled his appointment as an inspector after only 6 and a half years service, and said he made the journey on the first train to the quayside when the G.W.R. took over the Channel Islands service. Mr Price also expressed thanks on behalf of his wife for the present given her.
Others among the company present included Messrs. M.C. Frowde, Percy Lovell, P. A’Court, A.J. Digby and District Inspector Frostick (Yeovil).
(This article was typed by Meryl Lyons on 15th February 2022 from looking at an original copy of the newspaper, now in rather a fragile state.)