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The
Gas Works
In the Recreation Room there was a photograph taken by C. S.
Harris of the only worker killed in World War I. The portrait
was presented on the 3rd May 1922 and unveiled by Mrs Herring,
the wife of Mr E. Herring, the Chairman of the Gas Works.
The inscription read as follows:
| Corporal Frederick Charles Purser
4th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
killed in action at Armentières, France
April 5th 1918, aged 27
In affectionate memory this portrait is presented to
the Recreation Room. The only one of thirty who made the
supreme sacrifice
Lest We Forget
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Corporal Purser is also commemorated on the Town War
Memorial
with thanks to A. G. Belsey
The December before the unveiling, the Sports
Club had a supper when they welcomed back the ex-Service men,
and that was when the idea arose of hanging the portrait of Fred
Purser.
The picture was hung in the corner of the
room, and as Mrs Herring was about to remove the Union Flag that
covered it, the Chairman (E C Herring, Manager, retiring that
week) stated that the unveiling ceremony was simple "yet very
deep with meaning". The picture was of one of the employees who
"in the dark days of August 1914 went up to do his bit. They all
knew how nobly he did the very utmost that one could possibly
do, for he gave up his life in the cause of King and country."
Mr Herring continued that, "the remembrance of that brought a
certain tinge of sorrow, for Frederick Purser was a very nice
fellow, and it was a distinct shock" when had heard of his death
in Flanders.
As Mrs Herring unveiled the picture, she
stated that she looked upon it as a great privilege to be
allowed to do so. The company present applauded when the picture
was unveiled. Mr W. Purser stated that on behalf of his
brother's widow, his wife and family, and himself, he wished to
thank his fellow workmen and everyone.
Mr Patterson, the incoming Manager, thanked
Mrs Herring for having kindly unveiled the portrait of the only
young man from the Works to have made the supreme sacrifice. He
was pleased to hear that thirty men from there went to do their
bit, and that God had seen fit to allow all but one to return in
health and strength. He continued that that it was hard to
realise, except by those who had experienced it, the feelings of
the relatives of those who had been taken, and it pained him to
see the widow of this fine young man. But, thank God, he added,
it was over.
Mrs Purser handed a letter of thanks which
she requested the Chairman to read. "I wish to express my very
warm appreciation and thanks to yourself, the Directors and the
employees for the very kind way in which they have respected my
husband's memory, and also for the kindness shown to me and my
little son. It will always live in our memory."
from Dover Express 5 May 1922
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