Dash, Gilbert (1880-1960)

Transcription of obituary published in the Minutes of Conference

GILBERT DASH: born at Cardiff in 1880. He dedicated himself to God in early life, and entered the Primitive Methodist Ministry in 1905. After being trained at Hartley College, he served in Bury, Norwich, Ramsor, Walkden, Bollington, Knowlwood, Todmorden, Silverdale, Congleton, New Mills, Glossop, Manchester, and Talke, retiring after forty-five years of active service. 

To him the Christian Ministry was a high and sacred calling, and in his life and work he adorned the doctrine he always faithfully proclaimed. He was a good preacher, careful and precise in business affairs, and consistent in the discharge of his pastoral duties. He was an excellent penman and shorthand writer, and his work was always done with extreme care. He was fond of reading and had a special interest in philosophical subjects, the perusal of dictionaries being a favourite diversion. Loved for his uprightness, he was always a welcome visitor in the homes of his people. 

In his retirement at Barrow-on-Trent he endeared himself to his supernumerary friends and their families at Manor Court, and was much loved at the village chapel where he worshipped regularly. To the end he was anxious to serve as preacher and pastor. There was nothing slothful in his nature and his ardent spirit kept him ever on the move. He died on 2 February 1960, in the seventy-ninth year of his life and the fifty-fifth of his ministry.

Family

Gilbert was born on 24 July 1880 at Cardiff, Glamorgan, to parents William, a shoemaker, and Esther.

Before entering the ministry Gilbert worked as a railway clerk (1901).

He married Annie Bettany (1885-1960) in the summer of 1911 in the Uttoxeter Registration District, Staffordshire. Annie died 3 weeks prior to Gilbert. Birth records identify one child.

• William (1913-1987) – a schoolmaster (1960)

Gilbert died on 2 February 1960 at Birmingham. Warwickshire.

Circuits

• 1905 Bury
• 1907 Norwich II
• 1910 Ramsor
• 1913 Walkden
• 1919 Bollington
• 1922 Knowlwood
• 1927 Silverdale
• 1930 Congleton
• 1935 New Mills

References

Methodist Minutes 1960/193

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers