Mexborough and Swinton Times October 5, 1928
A Life of Public Service.
Wath’s Loss.
Mr. Arthur Bramham, of Croft House, Wath-on-Dearne, died at his home yesterday, at the, age of 71.
By his death Wrath loses one of its most valuable citizens and one who has for 15 years guided its civic affairs as a member of the Urban Council the di. One of the best-known personalities, he was widely esteemed. He was bluff and plain-spoken, but the welfare of the district was his main consideration, and if he often ploughed a lonely furrow he was very sincere and single-minded. He had a kind heart, and did much good by stealth.
His popularity may be gauged from the fact that on two occasions he obtained a record vote at the Council election. Despite his having passed the “allotted span” his faculties and judgement remained acute to the end.
He was son of Mr Joseph Bramham, a stonemason, of Chapel Street, Wath, and he never resided outside the town. In his youth, with practically no capital, he commenced as a plumber, and built up a prosperous business, which he supplied goods to all parts of the country.
He was a keen sportsman, and was at one time a capable cricketer, playing for Barnsley and Wath. The proposed formation of an Athletic Club at Wath at once interested in, and he joined the committee at the outset and was a member to his death. He was also very fond of bowls.
In HH money was the hero of a brave rescue of two ladies from drowning at Wath. Mrs Patrick of Wath and Mr Padley of Sheffield, were skating on the frozen canal when the ice gave way. Fully clothed, Mr Bramham dived into the holeand swam under the ice to rescue them. For that action he received the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society.
He was elected to the ‘Urban Council in 1913. and in 1920-21, and 1926-1927 was its chairnaan. On the formation of wards, he represented the Melton Ward but later transferred to the East. Offices he held in Connection with his Council duties were:
Chairman of the Water Conimittee. Member of the Gas Beard, the Rating and Valuation Committee. the Joint Hospital Board. The Ole Age Pensions Sub-Committee. and the Education Sub Committee.
He did much useful work on the Council, and was the instigator of some improvements that will ong benefit the area. The Brampton water supply was an instance of this.
During the coal stoppage of 1920 when there was much distress in the Wath area, he lent a large sum of money free of interest to the Wath Main miners, and that did much to alleviate the prevalent hardrship.
As a mark of appreciation of his services the miners presented him with a gold fountain pen and pencil.
He leaves a widow, four sons, one of whom Mr A Bramham. Chairman of the Thurnscoe ‘Urban Council, and three daughters.
The intermentis to take place at Wath Cemetery on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
” Montgomery “ writes: Councillor Bramham was born in Chapel Street, Wath, and rose from a humble position by dint of dogge4 perseverance and determination. At one time he was errand boy in, a chemist’s shop, and later went to Messrs. Stanley and Son’s Works, where he learned plumbing.