South Yorkshire Times, April 29th, 1944
Montagu Hospital Presentation
Ladies’ Committee Secretary Honoured
Mrs. Squires (third from right, front row) with members of the Ladies’ Committee after the presentation
Mrs. G. Squires, who has been a member of the Ladies’ Committee of the Montagu Hospital for 35 years, and secretary for 25 years, was last Thursday presented with a gold chain and pendant by Mrs. J. Hepworth, the Ladies’ Committee President, at a happy gathering in the Nurses Home. The Gift was given by members of the Ladies’ Committee, and a few friends, in appreciation of Mrs Squires’ valued services to them and to the hospital.
Mrs. Hepworth, making the presentation, said she was honoured to present the gift on behalf of the Committee to Mrs. Squires. During her 35 years membership, 25 as secretary, Mrs. Squires had given of her very best. Her work as secretary had not always been plain sailing; she had had many problems to solve and in solving them had used great tact and kindness. Mrs. Hepworth hoped she would be spared to carry on the work she had done so well and which was so near her heart. She expressed the Committee’s gratitude to Mrs. Squires for what she had done for the hospital and for all of them.
Returning thanks, Mrs. Squires said how proud she was to be associated with the work. The work did not always go smoothly, and in the last five years the secretary and committee had had, hard struggling work compared with which their former task had been a light one. Mrs. Squires recalled many of the members when she first joined the Committee. She was moved by the appreciation shown to her. Throughout, she said, their smiling faces had been a help to her.
On behalf of the Board of Management, Mr. A. R. Martin (Chaiman) said it had been a very great pleasure to work alongside Mrs. Squires for twenty years, particularly on the House Committee in which she had taken a very active part. Mr. A. R. Martin paid tribute to Mrs. Squires’ happy disposition and said she had done her best and had got the best out of others. If she was not able to take an active part as she had done, Mr. Martin hoped she would never retire. The hospital could never repay her for what she had done, and he was pleased to offer this testimonial.
Mr W. P. Turner, President of the Hospital, said it was such occasions that made the spirit of the voluntary hospitals. He hoped whatever new scheme came along in the future nothing would interfere with the work of the Ladies’ Committee. It would be “dead as the dodo” if the Government regimented our charities. He hoped Mrs. Squires would be able to carry on her work with the hospital for many years.
Mrs. Booker of Swinton said how much she had appreciated Mrs. Squires’ advice, and the cheerfulness with which she worked for the Committee, often behind the scenes. She was also a keen supporter of her church and always willing to help anyone she knew was in need.
Others who spoke in appreciation of Mrs. Squires were Mrs. G. Spencer (Thurnscoe) who recalled that Mrs. Squires was the instigator of the highly successful “Silver Tree” event. Mrs. S. Walker, of Wath (Vice-President of the Ladies’ Committee) and Mr. W. A. Lewis.
A tea given by the Ladies’ Committee preceded the presentation. The company were entertained b Ms. Schofield (Swinton) and Mr. J. J. P. MacKenzie.