WILLIAM CLARE GALE

DEATH OF MR. W.C. GALE

SECRETARY OF GROCERS' ASSOCIATION

Fifty Years a Local Preacher

A familiar figure has been removed from our midst by the death of Mr. W. C. Gale, of Queen’s-road, Newbury, which took place suddenly on Thursday last. He had been suffering from heart trouble for some time and had been attended by Dr. Wyllie. On Thursday morning he was busy in his garden, to which he was greatly devoted, when he fell ill, went indoors, collapsed and passed away.

Mr. William Clare Gale was 75 years of age. He was born at Cherhill, a village close to Calne, Wilts., and was apprenticed to the grocery trade with Messrs. Henly's, of Calne. Then he joined the staff at Messrs. Harris' bacon factory, and remained there for 20 years. He was a specialist on bacon selection, and his services were highly valued by the firm. In 1900 he came to Newbury and purchased a grocery business in Oxford-street, which he carried on until his retirement about eight years ago. Mr. Gale was for several years manager of the Egg Depot established at his premises by the Newbury and District Co-operative Poultry Society in 1911. Here thousands of eggs were sent in weekly by producers, graded and despatched to various centres for sale.

One of the founders of the Newbury Grocers' Association, which later developed into the Newbury, Hungerford, Marlborough and District Grocers' Association, Mr. Gale acted as its secretary for about 18 years. He also served as the Association’s representative upon the South Midland Council of the Grocers' Federation. As secretary he was thorough and methodical in executing his duties, as delegate the Council he was sometimes regarded as arbitrary, but many admired him for his persistency with which he fought for the protection of traders and the furtherance of their interests.

Mr. Gale was a staunch Baptist. Both at Calne and at Newbury he identified himself with young people's organisations, such as the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Sunday School. He was a Sunday School teacher at the Newbury Baptist Church, and for about four years was responsible for running the Sunday School at Headley. For over half-a-century he was a local preacher and served not only his own church but with the Methodist connection. In this respect his presence will be greatly missed by the village causes.

Mr. Gale was for a time honorary secretary of the South Berks Liberal Association. Years ago he was an enthusiastic bee-keeper. He was also a keen musician, and as a player favoured the clarinet. Nothing pleased him better than to listen to a band contest at the Crystal Palace. The death of his wife was a severe blow, from which Mr. Gale never recovered.

THE FUNERAL

The funeral took place on Monday, the service at the Newbury Baptist Church being conducted by the Methodist minister, Rev. O. Kirkby Evans, in the absence of the minister of the church, the Rev. A. J. Stanton, who is on holiday. Mr. Evans, in a tribute to decease’s life and work, summarised Mr. Gale's character by saying “he was a good citizen, loyal to his principles, unstinting in service, earnest in council, a true servant of God.”

The hymns sung were “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,” and “I know that my Redeemer lives,” while Mr. P. J. Scruton, the organist, played, as the congregation was assembling “O, for the wings of a dove” and “O rest in the Lord,” both by Mendelssohn. At the close of the service, he played “He, watching over Israel” (Mendelssohn).

The family mourners were; Mrs. A. P. Morton and Mrs. Christensen (daughters), Mr. John Gale and Mr. Fred Gale (brothers), Mr. A.P. Morton (son-in-law) and Miss Morton (grand daughter); also following from the house were Mr. J. Baverstock, Mr. A.L. Kingham, Mr. W. Noakes, Miss Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Hollister, Mr. E.S. Gingell, president, and Mr. W. Chewter, assistant secretary of Newbury, Hungerford, Marlborough and District Grocers' Association.

There follows a long list of others at the Church and graveside and a list of wreaths.

Newbury Weekly News 5 September 1935

Mrs. P. p. 189 C 69 Died 29 August 1935 aged 75

Buried 2 September 1935 Bk 1917 p. 189 no. 11110 from 82 Queen's-road.

Also

Elizabeth Gale died 22 April 1934 aged 80