CHIEF COMMERCIAL & CHIEF OPERATING MANAGERS'S DEPARTMENT

Mr. Thomas BARNETT has retired after fifty years' service with the company. Mr. BARNETT joined the Midland Company at Salford Priors and subsequently served at Moira, Little Eaton, Ilkeston, Studley and Astwood Bank, Harvington, Evesham, Westerleigh, and Bristol, prior to being transferred to Ashchurch, where he has held the position of Signalman for the last 25 years.

Mr. Charles Ernest KNIGHT, who has been Platform Foreman at Midland Road station for the past twelve years retired on December 28 after 44 years' service. Mr. KNIGHT was formerly at Luton.

Mr. G. ACKERLEY, Carter, has recently retired from the Goods Section on attaining the age of 65. He was transferred from the Shropshire Union Co., many years ago, and during his service at Birkenhead has delivered many thousands of bundles of empty bags to the various flour mills.

Good wishes were extended to Mr. ACKERLEY when a presentation was made to him at the annual December hot-pot supper.

New Street station has lost two well-known personalities in Inspectors Mathew PHILPOTTS and Henry DENNIS, who retired on December 31. Their colleagues are presenting them with chiming clocks.

The Talbot Road Goods Station staff bade farewell to two of their colleagues on December 19, when Messrs. A. L. BRYNING and J. W. POMFRET both reached the retiring age on the same day. Mr. BRYNING commenced his career at Fleetwood and after 38 years in the Mercantile Section was transferred to Blackpool as Cashier in 1928. Mr. POMFRET entered the service at Preston in 1892 and joined the Claims Department staff at Blackpool six years later.

On behalf of the staff, Mr TURNER presented a fireside easy chair, pipe and tobacco pouch to Mr. BRYNING and a folding table to Mr. POMFRET along with a handbag for Mrs. POMFRET.

Mr. R. C. WILLIAMS retired from the position of Stationmaster on December 31 after 45 years' service, 17 of which have been spent at Blaenau Festiniog.

On the day of his retirement Mr. WILLIAMS was presented with a radio set, and Mrs. WILLIAMS with an umbrella by Mr. Hugh JONES, a railway veteran, who performed the ceremony on behalf of the public and L.M.S. and G.W. staffs. Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS will reside at Llanddulas, where it is hoped they will spend many happy years of retirement.

Mr. William RUDD, who retired on December 31 after 47 years' service, has worked as a Townsman for the last seven years. Mr. RUDD commenced his railway career at Newbiggin and subsequently served at Scotby, Steeton and Silsden, Hellifield, and Bradford (Forster Square).

On the occasion of his recent marriage to Miss Agnes Mary GRIMSHAW, Mr. Ernest HASTE has been presented with a cheque by his colleagues in the Goods Department.

Mr. Henry PARRY, Station Foreman, who is a member of the Borough Council, J.P. for the County of Denbigh, and Mayor of Colwyn Bay for the Coronation Year, retired from the service in October after 37 years at the seaside station. On November 26 members of all departments presented him with a gold watch and a silver fruit dish to Mrs. PARRY, whilst on December 5 the townspeople and travelling public presented Mr. PARRY with an illuminated address and cheque as a mark of their esteem and good wishes. The presentation was made by the Right Hon. Lord Colwyn, P.C.

Mr. T. E. BARBER has retired after 46 years with the Company. He commenced as a Junior Porter at Hadley and was for many years on the staff in the Crewe Booking Office, where he was highly esteemed by his colleagues and by the travelling public. Mr. W. WINSKILL recently presented Mr. BARBER with a reclining chair and a wireless table and in handing over the gifts extended good wishes for his future.

A presentation of a solid silver cigarette-case was made on December 17 to Mr. G. M. CHAMBERS, who has recently retired from the position of Assistant Divisional Controller, Midland Division. The presentation was made by Mr. J. A. WATERS on behalf of Mr. CHAMBERS's former colleagues.

On December 23 Mr. Robert NEWMAN, who has retired from the position of Signalman after 44 years' service, was presented with a wireless set by friends at Ecclesfield, Chapeltown, Wincobank and elsewhere. The presentation was made by Mr. DICKENS, who wished the recipient a happy and healthy retirement. Mr. NEWMAN commenced as a Porter and later served as Number-taker and Shunter, being appointed Signalman in 1897.

Mr. George RALPHS has retired after being employed as an Extra Gang Platelayer for 41 years, and to mark the occasion his workmates have presented him with an armchair, a case of pipes, tobacco pouch and an embossed leather handbag for Mrs. RALPHS.

Mr. Frank BARTON has retired under the age limit after having been employed by the Company for the past 20 years. Mr. BARTON was a Platelayer on the Duffield-Wirksworth section.

Mr. James Thomas SHEPHERD has retired after working with the Company for 45 years as a Platelayer and Ganger between Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale.

Mr. George ROSCOE, who recently retired on age limit, was for 40 years occupied on the length between Thurstaston and West Kirkby, where he became a well known personality. His many friends wish him much happiness in retirement.

The C. & W. staff recently assembled to make presentations to Messrs. W. JACKSON and J. TINKLER, Carriage Sheds, who have retired on reaching the age limit. Mr. G. SANDERSON occupied the chair and presented Mr. JACKSON with a Westminster chiming clock and Mr. TINKLER with an umbrella and gloves. Many colleagues joined with Mr. SANDERSON in wishing the recipients happiness in their retirement.

Mr. H. THOMPSON has retired from the service after 50 years with the Company, during which he has been engaged as a Turner in the Mill Shop for most of the time. Mr. THOMPSON has for many years identified himself with many social institutions in the town and was an official of the Ambulance Corps.

The staff of the Edge Hill and Lime Street District of the C.M.E. (C. & W.) Department, recently met at a smoking concert to say good-bye to Mr. R. W. POYSER, District Foreman, on his retirement after nearly 32 years' service, the last 13 of which have been spent in the Liverpool area. Mr. G. CHURCH occupied the chair and in a happy speech wished Mr. POYSER every happiness and the best of health in retirement. Similar expressions of goodwill were also made by a number of colleagues. Mr J. E. SPINK congratulated Mr. POYSER on his youthful appearance and on behalf of the staff, asked him to accept a canteen of cutlery, fountain pan, and an umbrella for Mrs. POYSER. Mr. POYSER, who was accorded musical honours, suitably expressed his thanks for the gifts.

Mr. C. W. TAYLOR, Gas and Water Assistant, retired on December 31. He joined the L & Y Company in 1898 as Gas Fitter at Manchester (Victoria) and his work took him to most places situated on the former L & Y Railway including the lighthouse at Fleetwood and the Black Scarr Beacon in the Wyre Channel. On January 9, Mr. TAYLOR was presented with an oak sideboard, smoking cabinet and a pipe, along with a calf leather handbag for Mrs. TAYLOR, by Mr. ALEXANDER and the staff. His many friends with him a long and happy retirement.

Mr. W. J. LEAREY, Vacuum Cleaner, C. & W. Department, retired on December 21. He commenced his railway career at Plaistow in 1908. Mr. J. H. WATTS presented him with a purse of money and receipt for commuted Hospital Fund subscription contributed by his colleagues, all of whom join in wishing the recipient a happy retirement.

An interesting event recently took place in the C.M.E. Department (C. & W. Section), Hunt's Bank, when presentations were made to Inspectors J. MURRAY and J. WALMSLEY on the occasion of their retirement. The presentations were made on behalf of the Inspecting and Clerical staff, and Mr. J. T. COX, who handed over the gifts, extended to the recipients the best wishes of all for a long and happy retirement.

Mr. W. SHARRATT, Loco Accounts Office, retired on January 6 after 43 years' service at Derby. Mr. SHARRATT started as a Messenger Boy in the Permanent Way Stores Department and served in the Locomotive Stores Department prior to appointment to the position from which he has retired.

Mr. J. G. GEDYE, Central Office, resigned from the service on December 31 in order to qualify as a solicitor. Mr. GEDYE's popularity with colleagues and friends at Euston was proved by the presentation of a solid silver ink-stand, which was handed to him with best wishes for his future. In addition to this presentation, Mr. GEDYE was the recipient of a silver permanent calendar from the L.M.S. (London) Amateur Dramatic Society, on whose behalf he had acted as Ticket Secretary since the formation of the Society. We join with Mr. GEDYE's many friends in wishing him a successful future.

The marriage of Mr. Donald A. STOCKTON, second son of Sir Edwin STOCKTON, to Miss Betty RALLS took place at St. Pancras Church on December 12. The ceremony was performed by Bishop CROTTY in the presence of many relatives and well-wishers. The happy pair left for a reception at the Hotel Russell. Mr. STOCKTON, who is Dining Car Inspector at St. Pancras Station, was the recipient of a handsome canteen of cutlery, presented to him by Mr. J. A. THOMSON on behalf of his colleagues in the Dining Car Services.

Members and friends of the Passenger station staff recently met to honour Mr. John A. CAMERON, who has been transferred to Irvine as Station Foreman. In handing over the gift of a wireless set, Mr. J. TOWARD wished the recipient every success in his new sphere. Mr. CAMERON joined the service in 1920.

Mr. Robert W. DONCASTER, Foreman Electrician, retired on December 22 after 46 years' service. He joined the Caledonian Company at Glasgow in 1890 and was Travelling Electrician between Carlisle and Aberdeen from 1906 until his tranference to Crieff in 1922.

After serving the Company for 17 years as Platelayer, Mr. John DICKIE was recently presented with a wallet containing Treasury notes by his colleagues. The presentation was made by two of his oldest companions.

Mr. James CROSBIE, Cartage Inspector, Glasgow College, has been presented with a double gold albert by his colleagues to mark his retirement after 36 years' service.

Mr. William HAMILTON has retired from the position of Station Inspector after serving the Company for 48 years.

Mr. Harry KAY, Chief Engineer on the L.M.S. steamer, PRINCESS MAUD, has retired after 24 years' service on the Stranraer-Larne route.

Mr. R. W. DONCASTER, Foreman Electrician, was recently met by representatives of various departments and presented with a wireless set to mark the occasion of his retiral after 40 years' service. Mr. DONALDSON handed over the gift and wished Mr. DONCASTER well in his retirement, which is to be spent at Invergordon.

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