mr j maslin

OBITUARY

MR. J. MASLIN

Some Appreciations

IT WAS with sadness that we heard of the sudden death of Mr. Maslin. He came to Goldings in 1922 with the first Bamardo
contingent from Stepney. In his position of School Secretary to the then Governors, and later to the Headmaster, he gave unstinted
service to Barnardo's. Out of 'working hours' he devoted much time and energy as secretary and treasurer to the cricket, football,
billiards, and social clubs, of which he was also a very active playing member.
Before his cremation at Enfield a service was held in the School Chapel, attended by Mrs. Maslin and the family, and the staff and
boys.
Having known Jim for 35 years I shall always remember his exceptional devotion to duty: and miss very much his 'perky'
cheerfulness.
To Mrs. Maslin and the family we extend our deepest sympathy.
H. T.

AS REPORTED in the last issue of THE GOLDONIAN, Mr. Maslin retired after forty-five years of devoted service to the Homes,
but as he did not actually leave us until the last day of term, a report on this ceremony was not possible.
I think everyone was wondering how this great character would take and make his final appearance, but we need not have worried,
he had everything under control, including all the staff present; in fact he kept us under his 'spell' until well after 5 p.m. which was
no mean achievement.
Mr. Wheatley, in making the presentation, kept his remarks to a minimum because, as he said, there were not enough words to
express his real feeling of appreciation for the invaluable service Mr. Maslin had rendered to him as Headmaster, not only in his
official domain but also as a friend. What finer tribute could anyone ask or receive?
After receiving the inscribed plaque (an idea which Mr. Maslin initiated) and a cheque from Mr. Wheatley, on behalf of the staff,
Mr. Maslin got all his guns going, 'to get over my nervous tension as he said.
Mr. Maslin then treated us to an outline of his life with Dr. Barnardo's Homes, and of the strange coincidences that had dogged him
throughout his career and was firmly convinced that he had received far more from life than he had given. This is probably true,
except that some give far more than others, and Mr. Maslin ‘gave’
Mr. and Mrs. Maslin now live in a new bungalow in Waterford, still within easy reach of the School, so that contact will not be
entirely broken. A new bungalow means a new garden, and very sensibly Mr. Maslin has decided to put quite a lot of his new
ground down to grass and the cheque from his old friends will help to buy the necessary turfs, so that when he looks out he will be
reminded of his 'forty years at Goldings.’

The Goldonian Summer 1963
N. T. P.

The Editor, THE GOLDONIAN 1966
Dear Sir and all at Goldings,
May I first thank you for the magazine which is always a great joy to receive. This time, alas, it was not such a joy as it brought the
news of Jim Maslin's passing. Yes, Jim Maslin, the idol of all the boys at Stepney. I remember him well, Mr. Marchant's son-in-law.
I see him now doing sentry duty as we boys used to call it. There was a small sentry box at Stepney where he used to take his turn
checking the boys out and in on Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons. Yes, he was quite a guy. We never had to worry if we
were a few minutes late getting in. No need to sneak past, a cheery wave and so to bed. What was there about this man that I
(and I have no doubt so many others) should remember him so well after all these years? (I am over sixty.) All I can say is that Jim
Maslin was placed by birth and character above the petty need of standing on his dignity.
I would love to have his photo and I am sending the money for same under separate cover by surface mail. I have no doubt with the
passing of time many changes have taken place at Goldings and it may well be that old faces could be forgotten. I used to play in
the band under the baton of Mr. Marchant and like Jim I was present at the exodus from Stepney to Goldings. I emigrated to
Australia from Goldings and have had a very varied and interesting life out here. l settled down in Dalby some thirty years ago and
for the last twenty years I have been employed as a shop assistant in the local pharmacy. My wife and I have reared a family of ten,
four of whom are still at home and going to school. The others are married but they live quite near and are all doing well. After I
first came out here I moved about quite a bit as. it was hard to get a job in the depression, as a result I have seen quite a bit of the
country. I have lately established contact with my family in Canada. I understand I was only three or four months old when I was
admitted to the homes in Stepney. I was boarded out until I was ten and then went to Woodford. Then on to Stepney where I joined
the band and so to Goldings. I have no doubt, Mr. Powell, you may recall the old song 'Playthings' which was a great favourite in
the old days. It ran something like this : 'Right from the cradle and sweet baby joys, life plays with us like a child with its toys'.
I think you will agree that this is quite true.
Well sir and friends I have bored you quite enough. May I again thank you all and wish you all the best. May God have you all in
his holy keeping. Please convey my deepest sympathy to Mrs. Maslin and her family. Perhaps the knowledge that someone so far
away has always had a soft spot for Jim and remembered him may be of some help. God Bless.
Very sincerely yours,
D. M. Goldings Boy