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Obituary and funeral of John Henry Dorey, 1940

This is a transcript of a piece published in the Middlesex Independent and West London Star newspaper, March 9 1940.

COLLAPSED AFTER LEAVING BRENTFORD MEETING

One of Brentford's best known and most popular residents, Mr. John Henry Dorey, of 48, Boston Park-road, Brentford, died suddenly in the West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth, on Thursday evening.

Mr. Dorey, who was sixty-two years of age, was familiarly known as "Plum" Dorey. He had attended the annual meeting of the Boston Park Bowls Club at the Duke of York Hotel, Brentford, and while he was on his way home he complained of feeling ill and collapsed almost immediately. He was conveyed to the West Middlesex Hospital, but was found to be dead on arrival.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Mr. Dorey will be remembered most for the great interest he took in the various sporting activities of the town and district to which he was a very generous subscriber. He was born in Brentford, his father, Mr. Joseph Dorey, being the founder in 1848 of the firm of Messrs Joseph Dorey and Co., Ltd., builders, of Distillery-road, Brentford.

"Plum" Dorey became connected with his father's business at an early age. Later he became managing director of the Brentford Printing and Publishing Co.. Ltd., of Albany Works, Brentford. the York Mineral Water Co., Ltd., Brook-lane North, Brentford, and the British Composition Co. Ltd., sports manufacturers, of York-road, Brentford.

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HAPPY AS REFEREE

As a young man he was extremely interested in sport, cricket and swimming being his favourite pastimes. During recent years he was president of the Brentford Swimming Club, attending all the galas and assisting the town's swimmers in numerous ways. The Brentford schools' swimming galas always found in him a warm supporter, and he was never more happy than when he acted in the capacity of referee at them. He was regarded as one of the most conscientious water polo referees in the London area, and he frequently acted in this capacity at the Brentford Swimming Club polo matches.

Years ago he was exceedingly fond of playing cricket, and he will be missed by the members of the Boston Park Cricket Club, in whose welfare he took an especial interest. He had occupied both the positions of president and captain of the club. Mr. Dorey was also president of his own works' club—the Doreco C.C. Latterly he became, associated with the Boston Park Bowls Club, and has held the position of president for several years.

A popular member of the Brentford Conservative Club, Mr. Dorey also took a deep interest in every movement which had for its object the general welfare of the citizens of Brentford, and he was a prominent member and a generous supporter of the Brentford Philanthropic Society.

It was on April 22 1903 that Mr. Dorey married at St. Paul's Church Brentford Miss Nellie Sales, of Acton, who survives him. He also leaves a son, John, and a married daughter, Mrs Olive Irene Hopkins.

For more than two years he had been suffering from heart trouble and bad been under the care of specialists.

A large number of prominent Brentonians attended the cremation of Mr. Dorey which took place at Golders Green on Wednesday. A number of employees of Messrs. Joseph Dorey and Co. were also present.

The ashes were buried in the family vault at Ealing and Old Brentford Cemetery on Thursday.

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Page published December 2010