Page 18 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

Dudley Swimming Club for nearly 40 years, as Honorary Secretary from age 20 and finishing as
President (1928 & 29). His home was in Ednam Road, Dudley.

40 William CRANAGE (1877-1946) (‘Original member’ joined 3.7.1922; resigned 2.11.1925.)
Caterer and Confectioner. Originally from West Bromwich where he worked as a ‘sweet
confectioner’, he started his own bakery business in Castle Street, Dudley in 1903 but by 1913
had a high-class confectionery shop and new cafe (offering ‘dainty afternoon teas’) on the High
Street. About 1926 he had also opened the elegant Royal Turf Cafe on High Street, Stourbridge.
The head office and bakery moved to Stourbridge in 1942. He lived for a time in Kings Heath,
Birmingham, then Moss Grove, Kingswinford and Waddam’s Pool (Hall Street) Dudley. He
moved to Pedmore in 1932 but remained a leading member of Dudley Traders Association. The
firm Cranage’s continued to prosper after his death. He was also a freemason, member of the
Harmonic Lodge of Worcestershire, and long-time supporter of the Dudley Institute and its
President 1926-28.

41 James WHALEY, BSc (1874-1937) (‘Original member’ joined 3.7.1922; died 27.5.1937 aged 63
whilst still a member.) Director of Education for the Borough of Dudley
from 1920 until his sudden death just months before his intended
retirement. He was born in Bradford where he became a pupil teacher at
the age of 14, then attended Victoria University Leeds (1892-96) and
obtained his BSc and teaching certificate. After some years as a master,
headmaster and lecturer, including teaching chemistry at evening classes
at Bradford Mechanics’ Institute, he moved into education administration.
In 1908 he became Inspector of Elementary Schools for half of the West
Riding of Yorkshire and from 1918 was Director of Education for Morley
near Leeds. As Director at Dudley he was secretary to Dudley Training College, the Technical
College, Dudley Educational Foundation, and the Girls’ High School Governors. He was also
associated with Dudley Literary Society. He lived at Park Road (now Parkway Road, adjacent to
Grange Park).

Last of the ‘Original Members’
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42 Arthur DAVIES, JP (1871-1955) (Elected 17.7.1922; resigned 21.1.1930) Master Baker. In about
1906 he took over his father’s (Thomas Davies’) bread and cake bakery in Bond Street, Dudley,
having worked there from before the age of 20. In 1907 he opened The Model Bakery in
Wellington Road (corner of Russell Street) which continued until 1941. He was a member of the
Dudley Board of Guardians (which administered relief to the poor) 1925-1930, a long-standing
member of Dudley Conservative Club and Dudley councillor 1928-1931, and magistrate on the
Dudley Bench 1935-1949. He was organist and choirmaster at St Mary’s Church, Kingswinford
for 20 years until 1915 and then at St Luke's Church, Wellington Road, Dudley for many more
years. In his younger days was also a professional organist as well as a baker. During the 1920s
he operated a billiard hall in Wellington Road. Until he retired in 1941 he was often seen in
Dudley town centre on horseback.