Page 182 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

4. Viscount Ednam
Honorary member 1930-32
William Humble Eric Ward, MC TD (1894-1969), known as Viscount Ednam
until 1932 when he became 3rd Earl of Dudley on the death of his father.
He was MP for Hornsey 1921-24 and for Wednesbury 1931-32. He inherited
a number of industrial concerns in the Black Country, notably the Round Oak
Steelworks and Baggeridge Colliery. In 1937 he set up Dudley Zoo.

5. Bishop of Worcester - four holders of the office in succession
Honorary members 1932-1981
(1) Arthur Perowne, bishop from 1931 to 1941
(2) William Wilson Cash, bishop 1941-1956
(3) Mervyn Charles-Edwards, bishop 1956-1971
(4) Robin Woods, bishop 1971-1982

6. Edwin J Thompson (1860-1941) - Freeman of Dudley County Borough
Honorary member 1936-41
Chairman of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries Limited, and Chairman
of the Guest Hospital, Dudley, to which he was a major benefactor. Known
as ‘The benevolent uncle’ he funded the Nurses’ Home and major
rebuilding and extension of the hospital, in recognition of which he was
made a Freeman of the Borough in 1936. He had previously served on the
town council and Education Committee and held many public
appointments including governor of the Training College, Grammar School
and Girls High School. He was Chairman of Dudley Book Society, life member of Dudley Cricket
Club, and a trustee of the Unitarian Old Meeting House.

7. Mayor of Tipton for his period of office. Three successive mayors
Honorary members 1939-42 & 43-45
1939-40 Ald. H F Welch; 1940-41 Ald. W H Powis; 1941-1944 Cllr A E Bolton

8. Dr P Stanley Blaker (1873-1965) - Club member (#104) from 1925-1939 until his retirement
Honorary member 1939-1956
Medical Office of Health

* In 1940 It was agreed that Commissioned Officers of the detachment of troops stationed in
Dudley should be invited to Honorary Membership of the Club during their period of service in
the town. This referred mainly to the Anti-Aircraft Battery stationed at Oakham. However it is
not known whether any took up the offer.

9. Major H Kenneth Wilkes (1908-1979) - Club member (#203) whilst serving with HM Forces
Honorary member 1941-45
Accountant

10. Major H Noel Thompson (1901-1977) - Club member (#213) whilst serving with HM Forces
Honorary member 1941-46
Auctioneer and Estate Agent

11. Signaller L Norman Wilson (1914-1991) - Club member (#235) whilst serving with HM Forces
Honorary member 1942-45
Medical Surgical Supplies. Agent for the London Rubber Company