29th January 1954 
A Career Recalled
When Porter Was ‘Sister’ & ‘Matron’

A Pontefract man’s rise from a porter to a superintendent radiographer of a group of hospitals was described at a brief ceremony during the annual ball of Pontefract General Infirmary staff, at Wordsworth Cafe, on Friday. Councillor J. Blackburn, OBE., who relinquished the post of Superintendent Radiographer of the Pontefract and District Hospital Group of Hospitals in October, and now occupies a similar post with the Leeds Regional Hospital Board at Bradford, received a canteen of cutlery set in an oak table cabinet. It was the gift of the combined staff of the infirmary, consultants and members of the Castleford Hospital Management Committee, and was in appreciation of his long service.

The presentation was made by Alderman W. Wryder. J.P. who recalled he was responsible for selecting Councillor Blackburn from several applicants for the post of first porter at the Pontefract Infirmary in 1923, when it was a public dispensary concerned chiefly with dispensing medicines to "the indigent poor." As the Infirmary began to grow, said Alderman Ryder, other porters were engaged, and Councillor Blackburn was their foreman. He became fascinated by x-ray photography and devoted all his spare time and money to the study of radiography. Eventually, he qualified as a radiographer and ultimately became President of the Society of Radiographers of Great Britain. "That was a great honour" Alderman Wryder added.

Alderman Wryder mentioned Councillor Blackburn’s work in local government to his year as Mayor of Pontefract in 1947-48, and to his contributions to the social life of the town. He was rewarded with the award of the Order of the British Empire, which, applied to Cllr Blackburn, could stand for "Outstanding, Brilliant and Energetic."

Acknowledging the gift, Councillor Blackburn, who was accompanied by his wife, said he considered himself a very fortunate man. He had many happy memories of his time at the Infirmary, and he told some amusing anecdotes of his early days there.

"I came literally with the bricks that laid the King Edward Wing," he said, "in those days I might be sweeping up when I had to go to an accident in Ladybalk... I was also sister and matron when they were off duty."

He was very lucky and paid tribute to all who had helped him to achieve success in his chosen career. Cllr Blackburn was accorded musical honours.

A bouquet was presented to Mrs Blackburn by Sister A. Hoyle, a senior member of the staff. Among those present were members of the Pontefract and Castleford Hospital Management Committee. M.r C. Kirk was the M.C. for dancing.

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