David Unwin was the son of John Unwin. John was born c1813 in Ecclesfield. He married Catherine Blaids 26 August 1833 in Shipley.

David, the second of five children, was born 22 June 1841 in Shipley. He was baptised 28 May 1844 at All Saints, Bingley. In 1851 the family were living at Moorhead in Shipley with John employed as a stone mason. By 1861 they had moved to 9 Amelia Street in Saltaire where David was employed as an overlooker.

David married Mary Ann Haydn 6 June 1863 at Bradford Cathedral. Mary Ann died in 1865.

Widowed David married Mary Holmes 11 September 1869 at Bradford Cathedral. They had 10 children. In 1871 they were living at 52 Titus Street in Saltaire. In 1881 & 1891 they were at Horton in Bradford. By 1901 they were living at 21 Lower Holme in Baildon. Around 1903 they moved to 29 Lower Holme, where David spent the rest of his life.

Report from Shipley Times 19 September 1919 as follows:-

At the Junction Hotel, Woodbottom, on Saturday evening, the members of The Old Ash Tree Lodge R.A.O.B., held open night and “smoker” in honour of Bro. the Right Hon. Sir David Unwin, R.O.H., one of the founders of the Lodge, who celebrated his golden wedding last Thursday. The concert was opened by Bro. Craven Waddington. C.P., and the chair and vicechair were occupied by Bros. A. J. Pickersgill, R.O.H., P.P.G.P. (Past Grand Cham Eng.), and Robert Mellor, K.O.M., P.P.G.P.

An interesting presentation of a mahogany timepiece and a pipe was made to Bro. Unwin by Bros. Thos. Cordingley, C.P. (W.P. for the month). The timepiece bore a silver plate with the inscription, “Presented to Bro David Unwin, R.O.H., by the members and affiliated members of the Old Ash Tree Lodge, R.A.O.B., as a mark of esteem and respect on the occasion of his golden wedding Sept. 11th, 1919.”

David died 12 October 1920.

Report from Shipley Times 15 October as follows: -

The death took place at his residence, 29 Lower Holme, Woodbottom, on Tuesday, Mr. David Unwin, who for 25 years was a spinning overlooker at Messrs. C. and Taylor and Co., spinners and manufacturers. Lower Holme, and a prominent Buffalo.

The deceased who was in his 80 th year, was a Shipley man, and was born at Crowghyll on June 22, 1841.

He served his apprenticeship to the spinning at Saltaire Mills, where he worked for 18 years. From there he removed to Bradford, and for 21 years was employed at the mills of Messrs. J. Wade and Sons, of Canal Road. It is worthy of note that-during this-period he never lost a day’s work, Returning to Shipley, he took up a position under Messrs. C. and F. Taylor and Co, spinners and manufacturers, of Lower Holme, and there he has been for the last 25 years.

A prominent “Buffalo,” he joined the Prince of Wales Lodge, Bradford, on the 6th September 1887, and in 1888, when returned to his native town, he founded the Old Ash Tree Lodge. In recognition of his services in connection with this Lodge, he was presented with a gold medal last June. He holds the title and degree of Bro. the Right Hon Sir David Unwin, K.O.M., R.O.H., C.P.

Mr Unwin ho celebrated his golden wedding last year, leaves a widow (who is in her 70th year), six sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral will take place at Charlestown Cemetery on Saturday, and the body will be interred with full R.A.O.B ceremony.

David was buried 16 October in Charlestown Cemetery.

Report from Shipley Times 22 October 1920 as follows: -

The funeral took place on Saturday, of Mr. David Unwin, of 29 Lower Holme, Woodbottom, Baildon, who died on Tuesday of last week, aged 79.

Mr. Unwin was for 25 years a spinning overlooker at Messrs. C. and F, Taylor and Co., Lower Holme Mills. He was a prominent buffalo, being initiated into the order at Prince Regent Lodge, No. 16, on Sept. 6, 1887, and was in attendance there on Friday evening, October 1, the last time he was out, being taken ill home during the same night. He was a founder of the Old Ash Tree Lodge (No. 352), which is held at the Junction Hotel, Baildon, Woodbottom, and had been in regular attendance there, and a most zealous worker from the opening. In recognition of his services in connection with this lodge, was presented with a gold medal in June of last year. Mr. Unwin, who celebrated his golden wedding last year, leaves a widow (who is her 70th year) six sons and two daughters.

The internment took place at Charlestown Cemetery, after a short service conducted at the house by Bro. Benjamin Halliday, lay reader, Baildon Church, and a member of the Old Ash Tree Lodge. Mr. Halliday also officiated at the graveside. The last rites and ceremony of the order were performed the Provincial Grand Chaplain, Bro. Thos. Gardner, with a link of 112 brothers of the R.A.O.B.

The following were the principal mourners: Mrs, Unwin, Miss Unwin, Mr. and Mrs. W. Unwin, Mr. and Mrs. H. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. H. Unwin, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Unwin, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Unwin, Annie, Ernest, Nellie and Willie Graham; Mrs. Smith and Miss Smith; Miss Tomlinson; Mr. and Mrs. Denbigh; Mr. and Mrs. H. Clayton; Mr. and Mrs. F. Craven, and Mrs. Leeming. . Personal friends present included; Mrs. Kerr, Mrs. Leaife, Mrs. Furness, Mrs. Wildman, Mr. S. Lancaster, Mr. F. Ratcliffe, Mr. W. Terry, Mr. J. Parkinson, Mr. N. Whittaker, Mr. F. Binns, Mr. J. Ward, and others. The Bradford and District Provincial Grand Lodge (G.L.E.) were represented by the Provincial Grand Primo, Bro. Robert Chas. Mellor Bro. Fred Allison, Bro. Thos. W, Gardner (Chaplain of the Order), Bro. Arthur J. Pickersgill, Bro. Mark P. Pearson and Bro. Albert Patchett.

 

Florence Excell was born, 17 February 1904, in Saltaire to Joseph Excell and Emily Graham. By 1911 the family was living at 22 (renumbered 43) Albert Road, Saltaire.

In 1921, they were 1iving at 33 Titus Street, Saltaire. Both Florence and her father worked at Saltaire Mills. She was a weaver and her father a cloth presser.

Florence attended the Central Upper Standard Council School for Girls. She was also a pupil at Saltaire Congregational Sunday School, where she was presented with prizes in January 1916 & February 1921.

Florence married Willie Urwin in 1930. Willie was born, 15 May 1900. In the 1939 Register they were living at 22 Granby Drive, Riddlesden, Keighley, with Willie working as an insurance agent.

Florence died in 2001.

 

Urwin, Fred - Mill Worker / WW1 Roll of Honour