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Cherry Blossom Shoe Polish
Dan & Charles Mason, pioneers of the shoe polish industry in Chiswick
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The Charles  Mason Memorial Retreat 2
Mr J Bryant then cut the ribbon which closed the retreat saying :-
“On behalf of all Employees I dedicate this Retreat to the memory of Mr Charles Mason, and ask the Directors of Chiswick Products Limited to accept the custody and be responsible for its maintenance.”
Miss Miln (representing the Girls at Chiswick) said:-

“We are gathered together, sadly enough, to mark an act of affectionate remembrance for one who was our well loved chief; and yet the sadness is swallowed up in pride and in thankfulness for such a life as his.
“He had in a high degree the qualities of leadership, he was kind and generous and ever anxious to share the good things of life with those he called his fellow workers, to secure for them possibility of fullness of life.
“Speaking for the girls, it is appropriate that I should link with his, the name of Mrs, Charles Mason, as I know he would wish it to be linked, for we believe it was from her he gained that high ideal of womanhood which made himfeel that all those girls working for him should be protected, cared for and honoured.
“’Happiness,’ it has been said, ‘is great love and much serving.’ He loved us and served us, he found happiness in this.
“We shall be happier every day of our life because we have known him and, let us hope, a little better for the inspiration of the friend whose kindness will be an ever enduring memory.
“He builded himself a memorial; it is here, all around us, in these playing fields, in our factories, above all in the hearts of each of us who knew him.
“The memorial we have made is merely the tangible testimony to the depth of an affectionate respect which no words can possibly express.”
Mr A Brooks (speaking on behalf of the Men at Chiswick) said :-
I have been asked to speak today on behalf of the men from Chiswick Works, and I feel very honoured at having been chosen to perform such a duty.
“ A Memorial has just been unveiled to the late Mr Charles Mason, a man whom we all loved-one would not class him as an employer, but a friend – a friend whom we admired for his genial personality and also for his many kindnesses most lavishly bestowed.
“The extent of his generosity was known only to himself. He inspired the Pension Scheme, thereby removing the bogey of old age, and for those with families, provision for the future. He carried out the wishes of his brother by establishing a Supplementary Pension Fund, and he left provision in his own will for a substantial amount to be paid to the pension fund.
“Always trying to improve the conditions of his workers, he left nothing to be desired in that direction.
“In the shadow of the Memorial to the late Mr Charles Mason are the beautiful Recreation Grounds which he and his brother gave that you and I might spend our spare hours in healthy recreation. Also within the shadow are the new Works, where work is carried out under ideal conditions. Inspired by a man whom God blessed with a great heart and an unselfish disposition.
“Let us see to it whether on the field of sport or in the works that we do not let his memory down. Let us see to it that his efforts have not been in vain carry on, is my earnest appeal, each in his own little way, striving to do as the late Mr Charles Mason endeavoured to do: Leave the world a little better than we found it.”

“I have chosen for my final remark a quotation by Fitz Greene Halleck:
“’ Green be the turf above thee, Friend of my better days,
None knew thee but to love thee, nor named thee but to praise,’”
Mr G Little (as Representative of the employees at Liverpool Branch) said:-

“Its my duty to voice the feelings of the employees of the Liverpool Branch so as to show not only their respect but also their affection for Mr Charles Mason, to try and portray their appreciation of his sympathetic understanding which endeared him to every employee.
“It is said that the busy man can find time for everything, Mr Mason found time to attend our social events at Liverpool. We shall cherish the recollection of these visits; the recollection of his own enjoyment, the enthusiasm and optimism his presence inspired.
“On one of these occasions we found that we were in need of a room for Social purposes. He gave instructions, and that room was soon in existence and suitable for all our requirements. There is a sentimental attachment to that room of ours, as it is furnished with two beautiful old English mirrors, the gift of Mrs Charles Mason’s family.
The Retreat seen through the Dan Mason Memorial Gateway