If you are looking for the fountain of eternal youth, it seems there might be one in Birkenhead – at the very least there must be something in the water of the Wirral Peninsual that keeps our staff and former staff thriving! The evidence? Our Rock ferry page features the reunion of no less than FIVE Managers of the Branch, and we also have the retirement celebration features of four of them, as published in Martins Bank Magazine.
A happy reunion…
We wonder whether any branch can better Rock Ferry's total of five managers who reached retirement age at the branch. The group above shows, on the left, Mr C. Barlow (88) 1901-36, centre Mr H. W. Grice (77) 1936-47, right Mr G. Harrison (70) 1947-54 with Mr R. E. Costain (63) 1954-61. Between Mr Barlow and Mr Grice is Mr G. W. Chisholm, Manager from 1961 until his retirement in October this year.
So long, Mr Grice
On the 27th March, 1947, a large gathering of friends and colleagues crowded into Rock Ferry branch to say farewell to Mr. H. W. Grice, who was retiring from the bank after 44 years' service. Mr. R. E. Costain welcomed the guests, who included Mr. R. H. Price, Assistant Staff Manager; Mr. G. Harrison, manager, Castle Street; Mr. T. A. Grimes, manager, Birkenhead ; Mr. G. H. Shepherd, manager, Chester; Mr. S. N. Rimmer, manager, Charing Cross, Birkenhead; Mr. A. Wall Jones, manager, Claughton Village; Mr. D. S. Burrow, manager, Cattle Trade branch, Birkenhead; Mr. T. L. Othick, Clerk-in-Charge, Lower Bebington; and many other colleagues. Mrs. H. W. Grice and Miss Margaret Grice, Mrs. G. Harrison and Mrs. R. E. Costain were also present, as was the manager of the Midland Bank Ltd., Rock Ferry. Mr. R. H. Price then made the presentation of a bicycle on behalf of the subscribers. Mr. Grice entered the Bank of Liverpool in 1903 at Seacombe branch and later served at Heywoods, Old Swan, Tue Brook and East branches. After service in the Great War he returned to Head Office in 1919, where he remained until he was appointed manager of Rock Ferry branch in 1936.
Farewell, Mr Harrison…
The retirement of George Harrison at the end of July removes from the active scene one of the best-known and best-loved managers in the Liverpool District, and the large number of people who subscribed to his parting gift together with the gathering of Merseyside colleagues who attended the presentation ceremony were a most impressive tribute to a very popular colleague. The presentation was made on behalf of the many subscribers by Mr. R. H. Price, the Staff Manager, after Mr. R. E. Costain, the new manager, had paid his own personal tribute. Mr. Price outlined Mr. Harrison's career and, referring to the wealth of messages and letters which had been received, conveying good wishes, selected one special one, that from Dan Thomas, to read to those present. In its warmth and affection it summed up what we all felt about George. Mr. Harrison entered the Bank in 1911 and served at Head Office and Birkenhead before joining the Colours on August 4th, 1914. On his return to the Bank in 1919 he went to Liverpool Foreign branch for the next eighteen years and to Castle Street in 1937. His first appointment, as Pro Manager at Castle Street, came in 1939 and he became Manager at Rock Ferry in 1947. He was presented with a cheque, and his wife, whom we were all delighted to see, was given a cut-glass vase and a bouquet of flowers. We understand that a television set is at the top of the list of favourites but George must remember that you can't argue with a television set, you can only smash it, and for one who for the past 43 years has " argued high and argued low, and also argued round about him " this is a point to be borne in mind! George's work for the British Legion will never be forgotten and none of us will ever forget him or his gracious wife.
Auf Wiedersehen, Mr Costain…
The retirement of Bob Costain, Manager of Rock Ferry branch since 1954, was the occasion of a gathering of friends and colleagues at the branch on July 31st, which included two of his three predecessors, Mr. C. Barlow and Mr. George Harrison, The absence of the third, Mr. Hugh Grice, who was on holiday, just prevented the occasion from being unique in the Liverpool District. The proceedings were opened by Mr. D. P. Roberts, second-in-command at the branch who, after paying his own tribute to Mr. Costain, called upon Mr. N. N. Jobling, Liverpool District General Manager, to make the presentation of a cheque on behalf of the subscribers. Mr. Jobling thanked Mr. Costain on behalf of the General Management of the Bank and of the Liverpool District General Management for his contribution to the progress of the Bank, and he included in his remarks Mrs. Costain, whom all were delighted to see present. A bouquet was presented to Mrs. Costain by Mrs. Weston. At the conclusion of the formalities those present partook of the excellent refreshments prepared by Mrs. Costain and her helpers. Mr. Costain commenced his service with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank and among the branches at which he worked were South John Street, Wallasey, Seacombe and Linacre.
Goodbye, Mr Chisholm…
mr chisholm's retirement at the end of October as Manager of Rock Ferry branch was marked by an informal gathering of nearly 50 friends, past and present colleagues and their wives. This was a typical measure of his popularity and Mr I. Buchanan (Liverpool District General Manager) said that while he wished to observe Mr Chisholm's request for a minimum of formality, he was most anxious to point out that Mr Chisholm was the fifth member of the family to serve the Bank and that the family had contributed 90 years of continuous service. Moreover he now became the fifth member of a remarkable team of retired managers of Rock Ferry branch, covering a continuous period of 63 years with a total of 216 years' service. Despite the fact that Mr Chisholm was beyond normal retirement age he was, said Mr Buchanan, 'quite a boy' compared with his predecessors and he concluded with sincere thanks for his excellent service and friendship. On behalf of friends and colleagues, a cheque to purchase a roto-cultivator for the garden of his new house was presented to Mr Chisholm and Mrs Chisholm received a bouquet from Miss Rosina Phillips. Mr Chisholm in a brief reply thanked his colleagues and paid a handsome tribute to his wife before inviting his friends to indulge again in the excellent refreshments. Entering the service at Head Office in 1922 Mr Chisholm's career was spent in branches on Merseyside. In 1938 he became Clerk-in-Charge at Little Sutton, and Clerk-in-Charge at Eastham in 1943, going to Rock Ferry as Manager in 1961.
Mr W R Woods On the Staff 1922 to 1925	Mr W L I Brockbank Joined the Bank Here 1931		Mr H W Grice Manager 1936 to 1947	Mr G Harrison Manager 1947 to 1954
Mr R E Costain Manager 1954 to 1961	Mr R W Chisholm Manager 1961 to 1964		Mr R G Dakin Manager 1964 onwards
Title:		11-24-70 Birkenhead Rock Ferry
Type:		Full Branch
Address:		111 Bedford Road Rock Ferry Birkenhead Cheshire
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		ROCk Ferry 3402
Services:		Nightsafe installed
Manager:		Mr R G Dakin Manager
© gut informiert 2007 to date