By R.W. Morrell

It is with deep regret that we have to report the death at an early age of James Harold Croft, Founder Member and Member of the Council of the Thomas Paine Society. 

Harry, as he was known to most of his friends, played a leading role in the moves to form the Society. He gave freely of his time in producing material for circulation, addressing the many envelopes needed and as well as lending us his large printing machine set up the type for printing various items used in connection with the inaugural meeting. Harry accepted nomination for Council and was elected, since then he played a very active role indeed, one could almost say that at times he was assistant secretary of the Society in everything but name. Members who visited the Rights of Man Exhibition in Nottingham last year will recall seeing his tall, pipe smoking figure in attendance, what they did not know was that he gave up a week of his annual holiday to do the job.

Harry Croft had many other interests, though politics loomed large among these. An active debator he served on the Committee of the long established Nottingham Cosmopolitan. Debating Society – though he never gave’ an address to that body. As a member of the Labour Party Harry took a keen interest in national politics, though he tended to be associated with the more militant “left wing” and its associated organisations. With interests such as these it comes as no surprise to discover that Harry was a great bookman. He was, almost until his last days, buying books and it is almost no exaggeration to say that his home, a converted shop which seemed continually to be having structural changes made, was held up by books, pamphlets and journals. The library was mainly political and was very strong in pamphlet material and runs of obscure left-wing journals and Harry hoped one one day to write a book on the “sects” within, the British Socialist movement. However, Harry for all the time given over to the TPS, politics and his beloved books found time to enjoy music and over the past year had become increasingly interested in folk music. He bought several instruments and taught himself to play them, among these was t guitar and Harry taught himself to master this with a skill many professionals might well envy. 

The unexpected death of Harry Croft takes from our Society a very valued member; his aid will be greatly missed. As a good friend of mine I shall miss him personally. On behalf of the Society the Secretary sent our condolences to Harry Croft’s father and sisters.