Mr E A Olsson
The Worcestershire Province of the RAOB has suffered a great loss by the death of Brother E A Olsson of Claybrook Nurseries, Bretforton Road, Badsey, which occurred at his daughter’s home at Kidderminster on Friday. He was in his 75th year. The eldest son of the late Mr & Mrs E Olsson of Malmo, Sweden, he is survived by a widow, three daughters, two sons and ten grandchildren.
Mr Olsson was at one time a medical student, but later he studied horticulture in Sweden and emigrated to England over 50 years ago. Mr Olsson held many responsible positions in the horticultural sphere in the Lea Valley until he came to reside at Badsey in 1904. He was a well-known member of the Worcestershire Farmers’ Union and President of the Glasshouse Branch of the NFU.
In his younger days, Mr Olsson was a magnificent skater and an accurate shot, but his chief interest lay in the Buffalo Order. He was one of the first members to be initiated in the Simon de Montfort Lodge (Evesham) after its inauguration, and it was in this lodge that he was raised to the first degree and in 1927 became a co-founder of the Ernie Thomas Lodge, Badsey, he received the degree KOM (Knight of Merit). In 1941, the Ernie Thomas Lodge recognised his valued and faithful service to the Order by bestowing on him the highest possible degree by exalting him to the Fourth Degree, ROH. He was an active member of the Widows and Orphans Board of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire of which he was a Past President. Mr Olsson was affiliated to many lodges in the Worcestershire Province and his death will be felt throughout the whole of the county and his wide knowledge which was eagerly sought by members of less experience will be sadly missed.
Brother Olsson was also a member of the Examining Council of the Provincial Grand Lodge and had been a member of the Order for 27 years.
During the 1914-18 war he was a keen member of the South Worcestershire Special Police at Evesham and served in Civil Defence during the last war.
The funeral took place on Monday at Perry Barr Crematorium. Family mourners present were: Mrs E A Olsson (widow), Mr Carol Olsson, Mr G Olsson (sons), Mrs J Dale, Mrs S Dale and Mrs J Cowell (daughters), Mr W Rugman (brother-in-law), Mrs G Olsson (daughter-in-law), Mr J Dale, Mr J Cowell (sons-in-law), Mrs W Rugman, Miss K Rugman and Mrs H Knight (sisters-in-law), Mr H Knight (brother-in-law), Mr G Rugman (nephew), Master Keith and Eric Olsson (grandchildren), Miss F Steele. Mr Cowell and Mr Weeks were also present.
RAOB representatives included Brother G A King, KOM, Brother C J Bird, KOM (Ernie Thomas Lodge, Badsey), Brother T Childs, KOM (Gatehouse Lodge, Honeybourne), Brother T Swain, ROH (Simon de Montfort Lodge, Evesham), Brother P King, ROH (Egdon Lodge, Worcester), Brother T Parry, ROH (Warwickshire Province), Brother F Parry Junior.
The NFU were represented by MrDowson (Vice-Chairman of the Glasshouse Branch) and Mr Ewins of Avonholm Glasshouses, Offenham.
Others present were Mrs Amos, Miss Hemmings, Mr M Perry Senior and Mr M Perry Junior.