|
THE GOLDONIAN GOLDINGS PERSONALITIES
This term's personality has spent the last twenty-nine years plus in our Printing Department, for Mr. Purkis joined the staff on the I7th March, 1930, which is a long while ago by any standards. During his service with the School, Mr. Purkis has not been one to seek the limelight in anyway, but he has certainly been a thoroughly reliable and conscientious master in the machine section of the Printing Department. I think I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that Mr. Purkis has never refused to 'have a go' at any project that has confronted him. For that reason, if for no other, he has always been very popular with staff and boys. During the First World War, Mr. Purkis served with the 51st Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, and after his demobilisation returned to his civilian job as machine minder at Messrs. Simsons, Hertford, who are now Messrs. Simson Shand. During the last war he had a dual role, that of duty officer and fire officer at the School, and also a member of the Home Guard. Incidentally, Mr. Purkis's platoon sergeant was Mr. G. W. Penny, who until his retirement four years ago was in charge of our machine section. Pre-war, Mr. Purkis was a member of the Goldings Bowls Club (1932-9), and also a member of the Drama Group Committee, his particular line was 'props'. Yes, many old boys have no doubt thanked Mr. Purkis in their hearts if not personally, for all the' help he gave them when he started them on the road to print. N. T. P. Reproduced from The Goldonian Spring 1965: On Friday, 26th March, 1965, the staff and apprentices of the Printing Department gathered round the stone (a metal table used when preparing pages of type for press and the traditional centrepiece for ceremonials) to bid farewell to Mr. Purkis upon his retirement after 35 years as an instructor at Goldings. Looking just a little uncomfortable, Bill, never one to seek the limelight, was presented with a barometer by his staff colleagues, and a purse and wallet, initialled in gold, by the apprentices. The latter were presented by. Mr. David Lee on behalf of the apprentices, who expressed their appreciation of the help Mr. Purkis had given them and other apprentices during his 35 years' service. Mr. Purkis thanked all present for the farewell gifts and detailed some of the changes he had seen in the department over the years. The Printing Department will be poorer on his departure. His stature as a craftsman placed him among the very best. His attention to detail and its effect on the finished job won him the respect of staff and apprentices alike. Competently and methodically he would guide a job along and woe betide a lad who remarked 'that's near enough’. A job was good enough when it was perfect. Mr. Purkis estimates that 247 boys passed through his department during his service at Goldings. These printers are now scattered far and wide, in all parts of the British Isles, Australia, Canada, Rhodesia and Africa. Of all the 'end products' of his department, the craftsmen he helped train must give him the greatest satisfaction. We shall all miss our day‑to‑day association with Bill, but must realise he has earned a rest. We trust that he and Mrs. Purkis will long enjoy a happy retirement. Living within bugle‑call of Goldings we know he will be unable to resist the 'Fall‑in' occasionally and if he feels disposed to keep his hand in there is always a box full of jobs in the platen room. Mr. and Mrs. Purkis live in the delightful new estate in Bengeo His address is: ## Cowper Crescent, Bengeo, Hertford. After his presentation in the Printing Department, Mr. Purkis was summoned to the staff room, where all the members of staff were assembled to witness the presentation by our Headmaster of a cheque and plaque in appreciation of his 35 years' service to the School. In his remarks of appreciation Mr. Wheatley laid emphasis on the quiet efficiency of Mr. Purkis. In reply Mr. Purkis said he had enjoyed his work, despite the many frustrations and pitfalls, and promised to look in to see that everything was in order. R.S. Reproduced from The Barnardo Guild Messenger Winter 1988: W. D. (Bill) Purkis passed away in May of 1988 at the age of 98. He will be remembered by hundreds of letterpress machine minders as the man who introduced them to the skills of printing. He was always patient, always thorough, and made sure each young man fully understood the basic skills upon which to advance to the more sophisticated equipment. During the First World War Mr Purkis served with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, and during the second he was in the Home Guard. |
