Copyright © 1999 2006 DMTrust Reg Charity No: 1106538
Cherry Blossom Shoe Polish
Dan & Charles Mason, pioneers of the shoe polish industry in Chiswick
The Charles Mason Memorial Retreat 3
This photo is of the the Charles Mason Memorial Retreat which still stands in the original position in Dukes Meadows. Found Sep 2006, in a sports club car park
“That happy family spirit which prevails throughout these Works today has been built up with a multitude of graceful actions. It is almost imposable to find words to express one’s admiration for that great courage, that high purpose and charm of manner and courtesy, which Mr Mason maintained all the time.
“Very early at Chiswick that distinction and greatness of his personality was impressed upon me in many ways. In one way by the advice which was so freely given by one employee to another when in trouble, and that was to ‘see Mr Charles about it’ The full assurance with which this advice was offered was an augury that if a problem were submitted to Mr Mason justice would be done.
“To quote a famous phrase, ‘He touched nothing that he did not adorn.’
This business, the fabric woven with patience and such skill was a monument in itself to the capacity and the integrity of a great captain of industry. How proud he was of his business! I remember when I first went to Liverpool his instructions were that nothing should be done to lower the Chiswick standard, nothing by speech or action that would be detrimental to the reputation of the Chiswick Company.
“We feel intensely proud when we consider the splendid schemes for social service and provisions for pensions, the reward for length of service, and all the facilities for recreation which we enjoy here.
“In addition to that great quality, a generous nature, both brothers shared in common a dislike for publicity, and there is a unity in these two memorials made more majestic in their simplicity and beautiful by being placed in these grounds amongst their people.
“This Retreat will stand in remembrance of a man of a fine and lovable character, of rare courage and high ideals, a just citizen, a worthy citizen of this great London.
“Time may dim the memory but at Liverpool as long as the memory endures we shall remember Mr Charles Mason as a very great gentleman.”
Mr J H Salanson (representing the Travellers and Outdoor Staff) said :-
“ Little did we dream when we assembled here some two years back for the memorial to Mr Dan Mason that we should be called upon to officiate at a somewhat similar ceremony in such a short space of time. Although a great sorrow to us, we then had Mr Charles left, and we could turn to him for consolation, but now he has gone and we are here to dedicate this memorial to his memory. As you have heard, it has been built by his own people as he would have wished it. It is erected on a site for which he had great affection.
The Dedication Ceremony
It will serve I am sure, as a lasting memory, and I hope an inspiration for many generations to follow.
“Mr Charles was a living example of what could be achieved by energy, originality and tireless industry. He was a man of great inspiration, and could make us all feel the better and bigger for having come into contact with him. He had great visions and the ability to bring these visions to practicability, but, as you have heard, out of all these great traits of his he was just a great, big lovable gentleman, and when I use the word ‘gentleman’ I use it advisedly, for every one of his actions was just and honourable, just to us all, honourable to us all. He just loved to be loved, and he created that atmosphere and we all loved to be in his presence.
“But now he has gone. It is a tragedy so unexpected, so swift that no words of mine can adequately express our grief. We were shocked by the awful swiftness of Fate and humbled.
“’ O God, Thy ways are strange and Thou alone knows why, but it is not fitting for this man to discuss it. His work is done; into Thy arms we commend him. His the Peace and Immortality, ours the heartache and pride,’”
Mr Albert Reckitt, accepting the custody of the Memorial on behalf of the directors, said:-
“Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my privilege to accept this beautiful gift, this Memorial, to which you have all subscribed in memory or our great hearted Chief, I am sure it is just what he would have wished himself. It is the very best Memorial, I think, which could have been devised.
“Many beautiful things have been said about him this morning. It is very difficult to speak of one who was such a close friend. His enthusiasm, his love, deeply affected everybody who came in contact with him, and the more we knew him the greater is the loss. It was not only in the big things and in the big schemes that his generosity was evidenced, but it was the numberless little affectionate touches and kindnesses, which he showered on all his friends, and which, taken together perhaps form one of the most important elements in his life.
“I am sure that we can only hope that the influence of this great gentleman will last for the remainder of our days.
“May I, on behalf of the Directors, thank you once more.”
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