Dave Merry Celebrates 40 Years Service

28 July 2011

Dave's career at the Assay Office started in 1971, at the age of 16 as an apprentice, when things were very different. He remembers the time before computers when metal tags were used for packet numbers and every item having to be handwritten in numerous ledgers and then checked off manually depending on whether the item passed or failed assay – How would we survive today?

Being an apprentice, and this still applies today, you get trained in every department, and from an early age it was clear that Dave’s strength was in sampling – an area he excelled in and stayed in until only quite recently. He was, however, over the moon when XRF machines were introduced to assay items, as one of his worst memories was taking thousands of samples from certain large packets of work with multiple component parts. 

Today, Dave says the best thing about his job is the variety of work he does, from dealing with the Antique Plate Committee Submissions to showing visitors around the assay office and being made Master to the assay office apprentices – his proudest achievement to date.

Dave's achievement was recognised by the Company at a luncheon attended by the Court of Wardens and Assistants.

Dr Robert Organ, Deputy Warden. said, "Dave Merry completed 40 years of service with the Company.  To have given such commitment over so many years is a wonderful achievement and rare in this day and age.  What is more, Dave's passion for the Company and hallmarking remains undimmed and is an inspiration to us all. He is an absolute credit to the company".