TWO weeks ago, in Bugle 1012, we printed pictures of the fine illuminated certificate that had been presented to George Grove in 1967 for 40 years service at T.W. Lench Limited of Blackheath. We also printed some photographs of the presentation dinner held at the works’ men’s dining hall in Yew Tree Lane.
David Eades of Halesowen read the story and recognised the 40 year certificate as he has an identical one that was presented to his friend Harold Cole. David also has Harold’s larger, framed 25 year certificate and it seems that we may have been mistaken in dating the photographs printed, as David thinks they were taken at an earlier awards ceremony.
David writes, “I have in my possession an identical presentation case, with the same dates, for Harold Wilfred Cole and also the photograph, which in your article was printed above the illuminated certificate. These items were given to me by Harold but his wristwatch was given to a relative.
“On the photograph Mrs Florence Cole is seated first on the left and Harold is sitting next to her. However, I feel that the photographs that you have reproduced are not of the 1967 presentation, but of the 1944 presentation of 25 year certificates.
“I enclose Harold’s certificate, which is still in its original box, and is much larger than the 40 year one. It is clear that there is not enough room for them to sit head to head on the table of the second photograph which you printed of recipients sitting with their boxes in front of them.
“Also, I enclose another photograph which has printed on the folder ‘Presentation Dinner January 1967’. Mr and Mrs Cole are on this photograph and clearly look older than in the previous picture. They are sitting fifth and sixth on the right of the table.
“Harold Wilfred Cole was born on 19th June, 1906, at 16, Club Buildings, Hawes Lane, Rowley Regis, the eldest son of Benjamin and Phoebe Cole. His father was a stone quarrier and he had two younger brothers, Clifford and Alfred. He was brought up in very humble circumstances, his words, not mine, and I believe he attended Siviter’s Lane Schools. He left school aged 13 in 1919 and was employed by T.W. Lench Ltd., sewing bags. By the time of his marriage to Florence Owen of Pear Tree Lane, Old Hill, he was working as a clerk.
“Harold eventually rose through the ranks to be deputy chief buyer to Frank Lightfoot. Mr Lightfoot had two daughters, Edna and Nancy, who both worked in the offices at Lench’s. Edna married Alun Harper, who became chairman and managing director of Harper Brothers, builders, of Blackheath. Edna died recently in her 90s.
“On Mr Lightfoot’s retirement Harold succeeded him and became chief buyer of the company. Not bad for a lad who had started his days in humble surroundings and from sewing bags! He served the company for over fifty years, retiring in his 60s.
“Harold died in 1989. At his funeral it was said that his mother was a voluminous reader and it was thought that Harold’s mental capacity was inherited from her. It was said he was a generous man, a serious man, not given to flippancy, and he always gave credit to lesser people in his office.”
