A man who worked at the Southern Daily Echo for 50 years has died.

Wilfred James Benham, who was 90, started work at the Daily Echo in 1926 as a copy boy to reporters and sub-editors.

His wage was 8s – 40p – a week, and standard office dress was a bowler hat, black jacket, pinstripe trousers, spats and shoes.

Known as Pip to all his colleagues – from the old strip cartoon characters of Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred – he joined the Echo straight from school.

After a few months he was transferred to the front office at the Echo’s former headquarters in Above Bar, where he dealt with advertisements, births, marriages and deaths notices for the next 50 years.

In 1966 he was made office manager, and he also took on the post of print union chairman.

After his retirement in 1976 he set up an association to visit retired workmates in need of help and companionship.

A widower, Wilfred is survived by sons Adrian, Robin and Colin, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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