Goole Town Clerk: John William Pullon

Goole History > Goole People & Families > John William Pullon

 

From the Goole Times, 23rd September 1938.
This long newspaper article includes an extensive obituary, funeral report and the town council's response to the death of the Goole Town Clerk, extracts from which can be read below.

 

GOOLE TOWN CLERK PASSES - MR PULLON'S WORK FOR THE TOWN

 

We regret to record the passing of Mr John William Pullon, for nearly twenty years Town Clerk of Goole. Mr Pullon had been ill for some time, but despite the knowledge of the seriousness of his illness the news of his death in a Harrogate nursing home early on Friday afternoon came as a shock to the town for which he laboured so long and so earnestly.

Mr Pullon was appointed clerk and solicitor to the Goole Urban Council at the age of 41, and took up his duties on 1st October 1919. He had been for twenty-five years on the staff of the Leeds City Town Clerk and was particularly concerned with town planning schemes in Leeds, where he gained knowledge that was subsequently of value to the Goole authority. He came to Goole well equipped to guide its civic affairs.

In the immediate post-war years, Goole was very active municipally, the war period having naturally been one of retrenchment. One of the first big tasks, that brought the fruits of Mr Pullon's organising ability before the public, was the preparations for Goole's Centenary in 1926. The local authority took a leading part in the celebrations, and there was much to be done in co-ordinating the efforts of nearly every organisation in the town. Mr Pullon's conduct of the arrangements largely contributed towards the striking success of the Centenary.

That notable landmark in the municipal history of Goole, the presentation of the Charter of Incorporation by H.R.H. Prince George (now the Duke of Kent) in 1933, will always be associated with the name of Mr Pullon. The undertaking took several years of preparation and negotiation and Mr Pullon's skillful guidance resulted in a successful issue. Charter Day must have been the crowning achievement of his career.

The change-over from Urban to Borough status brought forth all sorts of intricate and difficult problems. The Town Clerk's department had a tremendous amount of work thrust upon it, and thanks partly to his efforts the new Borough was safely launched.

Mr Pullon's work for the engineering of Goole's opposition to the Humber Bridge Bill is another factor that must be mentioned, as also must his labours for the two town's celebrations on the occasions of the Jubilee of King George V. and the Coronation of the present King. His sound rulings upon legal points were greatly appreciated by the local authority, as well as his advice on procedure. He was at all times very conscious of the responsibilities of his office.

Sympathy will be expressed with Mrs Pullon in her bereavement. They had no children.

Flags on public buildings in the town were flown at half mast as a mark of respect to the late Town Clerk. A civic memorial service was held at Goole Parish Church on Tuesday while the cremation was taking place at Lawnswood (Leeds) Crematorium, where the Vicar of Goole, the Rev. L. L. Knightall, officiated. The service at the Parish Church was conducted by the Rev. F. Trow and the Rev. C. W. Fulljames, while the Rev. H. Fox, of Carlisle Methodist Church, read the lesson.