The Rushden Echo, 23rd April, 1943, transcribed by Gill Hollis
A Good Speaker
Career of Rushden’s New Leader
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Councillor A F Weale
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Gifts which should serve him well are at the disposal of Mr. Archibald F. Weale, whose election on Wednesday evening as Chairman of the Rushden Urban Council seemed the natural culmination of his career. Mr. Weale presents a courteous manner and is one of the best public speakers in the town – the result of much political work and careful study of local and national affairs.
A native of Leicester, he served as a young man with the North Staffs Volunteers and during the last war was with the 63rd Royal Naval Division in France and Belgium. Thereafter he did all in his power to foster the influence and prestige of the British Legion and served the Rushden Branch for several years as vice-chairman. When England faced its greatest crisis in 1940 he got back into khaki with the Home Guard, in which he continues to serve as a lieutenant.
His work for the Midland Railway, which he joined as a clerk at Tamworth, brought Mr. Weale to Rushden in 1901, and after a long term in the goods office he became the Company’s town representative in the Rushden area. Though retiring at Easter, 1942 (when his colleagues made him a presentation) he was anxious to occupy his time in useful work, and obtained another appointment for the duration of the war.
Political Work
Right from his early days in Rushden Mr. Weale has been associated with politics, and for many years he was looked upon as one of the most reliable men in the Liberal Association, able to speak convincingly, familiar with all the ropes in electioneering and really enjoying the work of organisation.
It seems surprising that he did not join the Council until 1937. In the election that year he succeeded as a Liberal candidate in the East Ward, and was regarded as the successor to his father-in-law, Mr. Arthur Wilmott, who had retired. Mr. Wilmott missed the chairmanship, but is sure to regard Mr. Weale’s appointment as substantial compensation.
Before taking up the traditionally silent part of vice-chairman last year, Mr. Weale was chairman of the Plans and Highways Committee. For several years between the two great wars he was actively associated with the League of Nations Union.
Sharing her husband’s taste for social work, Mrs. Weale has been prominent in the Liberal cause. A few years ago she was chosen to serve as a school manager, and on Tuesday she became the committee’s first woman vice-chairman. During the war she has taken charge of the Rushden Boot and Clothing Fund depot – a task demanding much hard work each week.
Mr. and Mrs. Weale’s only son, Lieut. Geoffrey Weale, is having an adventurous career at sea with the Royal Navy.
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