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'''William "Bill" Gillett, BEM''' was the SVR’s first General Manager in the era of the [[Severn Valley Railway Society]].
Bill Gillett began his railway career as a signal box lad and progressed to become the Chief Operating Inspector of BR Birmingham Division.<ref name=SVR99>Obituary, SVR News 99</ref> He was one of very few senior BR managers willing to be seen as openly supportive of a steam preservation scheme in the BR ‘anti-steam pro-modern traction’ era,<ref>Don Wilcox, SVR News 120</ref>, and was on the footplate of [[GWR 2251 Class 3205|3205]] with driver drivers Cyril Williams and fireman [[John Hill ]] when it travelled from Stourbridge to Bridgnorth on 25 March 1967 to become the SVR's first loco.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Magner (1997)]] p. 49.</ref> On arrival he was quickly enrolled as a member and suitably refreshed at [[Bridgnorth#The Railwayman's Arms|The Railwayman's Arms]].<ref>SVR News 17, “The Early Days of the Severn Valley Part III, A.G. Cleaver</ref>
The workings of the first 'steam gala' on 14 October 1967 were under his direction,<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Magner (1997)]] p. 50</ref> and he also accepted personal responsibility for other steam gala weekends and private trains run 'on the nod' in the 1960s.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Magner (1997)]] "Memories of Christopher George", p. 70.</ref>
Following the formation of the [[Guarantee Company|Severn Valley Railway Company]], Bill Gillett was appointed Operating Director as well as continuing in the role of General Manager.<ref>SVR News 16</ref> During 1971, under [[Sir Gerald Nabarro]]’s chairmanship, he was succeeded as General Manager by [[Hugh Mossop]], although remaining as Operating Director and assuming the role of 'Superintendent of the Line'.<ref>SVR News 21</ref> He resigned from both positions in early 1972, his role as Line Superintendent being assumed by Arnold Becker.<ref>SVR News 23</ref>
Bill Gillett was among the guests at a celebration evening at Castle Hall in Bridgnorth on 5 July 1975 held to mark the 10th anniversary of the Society<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Magner (1997)]] p. 58.</ref> and at the 21st Anniversary celebrations in 1986.<ref>SVR News 81</ref> . He died on 22 April 1991.<ref name=SVR99/>.
==See also==
