Charles Edward Colston was born at Eastington, Gloucester in 1859 and in 1880 was appointed the first Schoolmaster of the ChurchSchool, Gerrards Cross, which was then on the Common as our picture shows. He became a prominent citizen and a man of many parts associated with the Parish Council, set up in 1895 and retired as Schoolmaster in 1920 after 40 years.
His youngest son, Eric was born in 1897 and as a boy, “helped to dig the railway” as a friend of the workmen, who lived in huts between Station Road and Oak End Way.
The eldest son, Charles born in 1892, enlisted in the Royal Engineers in 1914. He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Gallipoli and from 1916-18 served in France, Belgium and Italy and was awarded the Military Cross.
The Hoover Company was set up in UK in 1919. Charles was employed, became a Director in 1920 and Managing Director in 1928.
Eric part qualified as a Surveyor in Gerrards Cross. But he was keen to join Hoovers. Charles got him an interview with the boss in the early 1920’s. He made a favourable impression but was regarded as too young. However, he stayed for a cup of tea after the interview and so impressed that he was hired immediately. By 1933 E L Colston was a Director and moved to St Bernards, Oak End Way.
E. L Colston was the Sales and Marketing inspiration at Hoover; he was highly personable, really enjoyed meeting people and selling. He coined the term “hoover the carpet” rather than “vacuum”.
In 1945 there was an anonymous purchase of the old Vicarage on East Common, Gerrards Cross, which was presented to the Village as a Community Centre and is now known as the Memorial Centre. At the opening ceremony in 1949, the benefactor was announced as E L Colston, who subsequently enjoyed a long association as President and his wife Catherine as a Trustee of GX Community Association.
In 1946 Eric left Hoover having achieved the appointment of Managing Director. After Hoover, his “second career” in business was as the owner of The County Garage in Packhorse Road. Eric was an elected member of Bucks County Council and later became Chairman. He was an Alderman, member of GX Parish Council, Eton Rural District Council and sometime Chairman of GXPC and ERDC. He was appointed a JP in 1947 and was Chairman of the Bench in Beaconsfield from 1963 until he retired from this role in 1976..
Ian Colston, a son of E.L. Colston spent over 20 years at St Bernards and now lives in South Wales. His son, Tim still works in Gerrards Cross.
The
Colston Family have had an association with Gerrards Cross for 125 years. The schoolmaster, Charles Edward Colston educated many of the young children of the Village especially of the early newcomers. His son, Eric provided a gift to the community of the Memorial Centre and served the community as a local Government councillor and JP for nearly 30 years. Gerrards Cross owes a debt of gratitude to the family.
