John Swift

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In 1849 members of the Union of Carpenters and Joiners heard of the success of the Co-operative in Rochdale. A meeting was held at the house of Jonathan Henderson and the twelve men attending became a committee with £2 to form what was to become Derby Co-operative Society in 1850.

The first minute book records that all members shall serve in the store (a hayloft in George Yard, Sadler Gate) in their turn and anyone not finding a substitute shall be fined 1 shilling. (Copies of the early minute books can be seen in Derby Local Studies Library).

John Swift is one of those early volunteers who helped the Society grow. He was born in Canada and came to Derby in 1848. He joined the Society in 1858, whilst working as a blacksmith for the Midland Railway Company.

Over the years he became a trustee then the treasurer. In 1871 he stopped working for the Midland Railway Company and became a full time employee of the Society. In September 1881 he was elected Secretary of the Society, a position he held until his death in 1898. He was also very involved in charitable works including being a life governor of the Children's Hospital, the Royal Infirmary and the Deaf and Dumb Institution.

He died on 1st December 1898 and a funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Church. The funeral cortege, followed by 43 carriages, proceeded to Nottingham Road Cemetery, where he was buried.

The monument on his grave was paid for by members of the Society and carved from carrara white marble by James Beresford of the Lion Marble Works, Belper.