John Elliott Hartley: – [Heath 1937–1942]
John Hartley, who died on , was born in Halifax on although the family moved to Rochdale in 1932 when his father was responsible for opening a new branch of Lloyd’s Bank there. However, when Mr Hartley Sr was appointed manager of the Queen’s Road branch, the family returned to Halifax and John then attended Heath from 1937 to 1942.
It was during this time that a lifelong association with the Scout movement began, during which he became Assistant Scout Leader and later Group Scout Leader of the 2nd Halifax Heath Grammar School troop.
On leaving school John joined the staff of W.H. Boocock and Son, solicitors, in Halifax for a short time although this period of his life was interrupted when he joined the army during the war and saw service in Malaya.
On returning from war service he joined the Hebden Bridge branch of Lloyd’s Bank where he met Jean Jackson whom he married in St James’ Church, Hebden Bridge in 1957. They had one daughter, Jane, who is married and living in Cheshire. Following service with Lloyd’s Bank in the Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge and Thirsk branches, he moved to their Halifax office where he became Chief Cashier from which post he retired in 1987.
John was active in many fields. A keen walker, he compiled two books of local walks and his association with the Heath Old Boys Scouts Association continued to the end of this life.
He was a profoundly religious man and had a lifelong association with the church, firstly at Sion Chapel, where he was a Deacon, until it closed in 1959, followed by very devoted service to Carlton United Reformed Church where he was an Elder and Treasurer for thirty years. For many years he was a Trustee of the Joseph Crossley Almshouses on Arden Road where he was continually involved in their activities. For the last seven years of his life he had been the Auditor of the accounts of the Halifax Antiquarian Society. We send our deepest sympathy to his family.
John G. Washington [Heath 1936–1941]
First appeared in the Newsletter dated .