Harald Bruff – Obituary
The death of Mr Harald John Lexow Bruff, of Kell House Greenhow Hill, briefly reported in our columns last week, has removed an outstanding personality, a man of wide cultural attainments and a prominent figure in the engineering world.
Born 72 years ago in Agra India, Mr Bruff came to England as a draughtsman on the India Docks in London, and after a short period with the G.W.R. Co., joined the L.N.E.R. Co., and eventually became a bridge engineer and the pioneer of structural welding. He had thousands of bridges under his care and was responsible for the designing of many such structures, notably the Sculcotes Bridge, near Selby. He entered an international competition for welding and was awarded fifth prize among a thousand entrants. He had many achievements to his credit both in this country and abroad, and in recognition of his services to the profession was made an honorary member of the Royal Institute of Welding. He went to Germany in 1936 as the representative of the L.N.E.R. on bridge construction, and while there was offered a lucrative post by the German Government, which he refused on patriotic grounds. On his retirement in 1938, he was presented by his colleagues with a silver tray. On the outbreak of war he offered his services to the Ministry of Supply, and from thenceforth was engaged in checking and overlooking welding plans in connection with tank design.
For some years he was secretary of the Yorkshire Dialect Society, and his services and endeavours to retain the purity of dialect was recognised by the University of Upsala.
He gave unbounded service to his fellows and was a sincere, unselfish friend with an uncompromising attitude toward the evil things of our time. He loved Greenhow Hill and Its inhabitants and during his leisure moments produced from his versatile pen, “Character Sketches a/Old Yorkshire Lead Miners,” a notable and human volume, introducing many well-known characters who worked and resided on ‘The Hill’.
Greenhow Associations
Mr Bruff’s associations with Greenhow Hill were varied and always helpful. He took a keen interest in mining, and in his desire to find employment for the dwindling population of Greenhow, he eventually succeeded in forming a company known as the “Greenhaugh Mining Company” which commenced operations in 1914 at Jamie Shaft. As managing director, Mr Bruff put in some hard work until 1919, when he decided to return to the railway. He had, however, achieved his ambition of creating employment for the villagers.
It was mainly through his enterprise that the much-admired War Memorial was erected on Greenhow.
Early in 1919 during the big “flu” epidemic practically every family in the village was stricken, but Mr Bruff held out and accomplished some wonderful work in administering to the sick and helpless.
He earned a great reputation with his book” T’ill an t’oade uns upuv Greenho’”. A number of antiques was collected from the villagers from time to time which were eventually placed by him in the York Museum.
There were quite a lot of miners’ tools, some of which were reputed to be at least 100 years old.
In 1928 he proposed the establishment of a Village Institute. His ambition was realised in 1937 when it was opened. He put in a lot of hard work and had many ‘battles’.
Kell House was open to all for house parties to raise funds, and any functions at the village school had his and Mrs Bruff’s full support.
Forty-three years ago he married Miss Charlotte Rosenkilde, a Norwegian, by whom he is survived, together with an only child, Mrs Ruby Barkman, whose husband is in the Swedish Legation, New York.
The Funeral Service
Following cremation, the ashes were brought to St Mary’s Church, Greenhow Hill, on Friday afternoon, where a service was conducted by the Rev. W.R.H. Wright (Vicar) and the Rev. T. Garnett Jones (Vicar of Winksley), who gave the address.
Almost every family in the village was represented. Mr F. Oldfield, at the organ, led the 2 singing of the hymns, “How Sweet the Name,” “O God Our Help,” “O Strength and Stay,” and the Psalm “I Will lift up Mine Eyes.”
An indication that the ashes were to be scattered was gathered from the committal sentence’ ‘We commit these ashes upon this hill which he loved so much.”
The mourners were Mrs Bruff, widow; Mrs Garnett Jones and Mrs John Green.
Mrs Barkham, his daughter, whose home is in the United States, was unable to be present. She arrived in England by plane on Saturday.
Others present were Mr R.H. Garth, Mr F. Cox and Mr W.E. Smith (also representing the Engineer, L.N.E.R., York), Mr R. Alsop, Mr F. Marshall, Mrs Gamble (Pateley Bridge), Mrs Layfield (Holebottom), Mr T. Marshall, Miss E. Whitehead, Mrs F. Oldfield, Mr and Mrs J. Busfield, Mr H. Robinson, Miss Finney, Mr F. Longthorne, Mrs A. Smithson, Mrs J. Smithson, Mr J. Busfield, Mrs B. Green, Mr and Mrs H. Busfield, Mr and Mrs. H. Green, Mrs Walton, Mr S.H. Hill (Pateley Bridge), Mr K. Green, Mr and Mrs T. Stockdale (Hebden), Mr F.I. Simpson (Hebden), Mr and Mrs L. Marshall, Rev. J. Mason and Mrs Mason (South Otterington), Miss P. Longthorne, Mr H. Schofield, Mr J. Green, Mrs J.R. Grange (Pateley Bridge), Mr and Mrs R. Watson (Moorhouses), Mr R. Watson Jnr, Miss M. Mackwell, Mr T. Houseman (Hebden), Mr G.
Mackwell, Miss L. Walker, Mr J.G. Longster, Mr I. Hargraves (Hebden).
Flowers were sent from the Engineer and Staff, L.N.E.R, York; Mr and Mrs T. Stockdale.
From Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Herald – 8th February 1946
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