Wilf Farndale was the son of James Arthur Farndale. James was born 15 December, 1877, in Undercliffe. He married Florence Edith Greenwood 11 July, 1905, at the Wesleyan Chapel in Clayton, Bradford.

Wilf was born 13 October, 1910, in Clayton. In 1911 the family lived at 13 Herbert Street, Clayton, with James working as a worsted drawing overlooker. By 1915 they were living at 69 Victoria Road, Saltaire, where they remained until around 1934.

Living at 23 Sandals Road, Baildon, Wilf married Kathleen Dawson 31 August, 1935, at Baildon Parish Church. Kathleen, born 12 May, 1910, was living at 57 St. Aidans Road, Baildon. They had two children.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 7 September 1935: -

Mr. Wilfred Farndale, the popular Saltaire opening batsman, and the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Farndale of Sandals Road, Baildon, was married to Miss Kathleen Dawson, the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Dawson, of “Mella,” St. Aidans Road, Baildon, at the Baildon Parish Church, on Saturday (31 August).

The bridegroom is assistant sanitary inspector for Shipley, and the bride was also member of the Shipley Urban District Council staff, being clerk to the Medical Officer of Health. Her father is a member of the Shipley Rotary Club. The ceremony was performed the Vicar of Baildon (Rev. Percy Anderson). Given away by her father, the bride wore a gown of heavy white satin, with hand embroidered sleeves, and embroidered net veil trimmed with orange blossom. Her bouquet was of pale pink carnations. She was attended by her sister, Miss Mabel Dawson, who wore floral georgette with silk net frills, and crinoline hat to match. She carried a bouquet of sweet peas in pastel shades. Mr. Eric Greenwood (cousin of the bridegroom) was best man, and the groomsman was Mr. H. G. Collinson (a friend of the groom).

Mr. and Mrs. W. Farndale afterwards left for honeymoon in North Devon, the bride travelling in a two piece Viennese model in Marina green and brown. Their future home will be “Croyde,” Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon.

Among the many presents were a canteen of cutlery, a clock, and cut glass candle sticks, from the staff of the Shipley Urban Council.

In the 1939 Register they were living at 53 Temple Rhydding Drive in Baildon.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 21 September, 1960: -

Quiet, unassuming and popular are perhaps the three best ways of describing Wilf Farndale, Shipley’s senior Public Health Inspector, former Saltaire and Baildon cricketer and a past president of Shipley Rotary Club. He is one of the most liked and respected citizens of Baildon where he has lived for over 25 years. Wilf Farndale is a man who is always willing to help others and give encouragement where needed.

Born at Clayton in 1910, Wilf and family came to live at Saltaire four years later and soon afterwards he began to attend Albert Road Junior School. His later school was Salt Boys’ High School.

His father, Mr. James Arthur Farndale, was manager of the Drawing Department at Salts Mill. He died in 1952, ten years after his retirement. His mother still lives in Baildon.

It was his father who first instigated a love for cricket in Wilf’s heart, and on moving to Saltaire the pair soon became ardent supporters of the Roberts Park club. In those days Wilf recalls watching Sidney Barnes and many other famous players. He also accumulated an immense interest and passion for the “noble game” while at Salt’s School and was soon turning in fine performances there. He was appointed captain of the school first eleven, and also skippered his house team (Celts, now Latins). At the age of 13 he was also launching out on his Bradford League career, making several appearances with Saltaire’s second team.

His first team debut for the club was not exactly auspicious. He was clean bowled first ball by Harold Dunn (the former Baildon Player) in a match at Idle. However, Wilf can take heart from the fact that many more noted players, have made similar starts.

On leaving school. Wilf started work with Shipley Council in August 1927, as a clerk in the Sanitary Inspector’s office at Somerset House. He qualified for the post of a District Inspector in 1931 after studying in Shipley, Bradford and Leeds Technical Colleges. One year later the new Council offices were officially opened, and Wilf has been working the Shipley Town Hall ever since. From then, of course, he has risen to the position of Shipley’s Senior Public Health Inspector. which appointment he took up in 1946.

At an early age he secured a regular place in the Saltaire first eleven as “a promising opening batsman” and was playing with and against the best players of the time.

In his first spell with Saltaire which lasted from 1924-1938 Wilf played many hundreds of games, and scores of fine innings, but undoubtedly the one which he and many others remember best was the one he played in the “Marathon game” at Baildon in 1938.

The match was marked by a feat which to this day has not been equalled, there were four centuries scored, two on each side. Baildon made 259-1, and the man out George Senior, got a “duck.” Ronnie Burnet scored 152 not out and Bob Ednie 100 not out. Jim Laker the former Surrey and England bowler was one of the most punished of all on this day of run-getting. Baildon declared their innings closed before the allotted time had run out, but then Saltaire fought back tremendously to score the necessary runs for the loss of Edgar Lambert who scored a half century. Eddie Hutton was 105 not out and Wilf Farndale put his name in the record books with a fine unbeaten 102.

The following year he joined the Jenny Lane Club where he stayed for four years before returning to his former battle field, Roberts Park. He was with Saltaire when he retired in 1948. During those years in the Bradford League. Wilf played with and against such eminent players as Tom Goddard. Bill Copson, Bill Voce, Alf Coxon (all with Saltaire) Arthur Mitchell, who was captain over Wilf at Baildon and George Senior. The player whom he considers the best and most feared he has played against in the Bradford League was Sandy Jacques, the fast bowler who played with Saltaire and then Undercliffe. The most accomplished batsman whom Wilf played against was the renowned Len Hutton. “You just couldn’t get him out,” said Wilf, who played often when Hutton and Edgar Oldroyd used to open the Pudsey innings Charlie Lee was another great batsman with whom Wilf played.

His only other active sporting activity has been soccer and for three years Wilf was star outside left of the Saltaire Methodist Church team in the Sunday School League and looked like developing into an excellent player. Then at the end of one season Wilf, who was not originally playing, went along to watch the team at Thackley. When he arrived he was asked to play as they were one man short. The game had not been in progress long before he found himself in a duel for the ball, from which came out worst and sustained a broken collar bone. That decided Wilf that he would give up soccer and concentrate on cricket.

Mr. Farndale has acquired a keen interest in freemasonry from his father-in-law. Mr. Will Dawson, who was a Past Master of the Amity Lodge, and a Past Principal of the Knight Templars. He was also a past president of Shipley Rotary Club, like Mr. Farndale who held that position in 1955-56.

About the work of Shipley Council. Mr. Farndale said “We are doing pretty well in Shipley at the moment. The biggest job we have had has been the pulling down of unsatisfactory houses, but we haven’t any real slums as such now as in the bigger towns.”

Mr. Farndale and his charming wife, who were married in 1935, have lived at their home in Temple Rhydding for the past 25 years. They have two children: Joan, who is married and lives at Stretford near Manchester and 17-year-old Keith, a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, who is now an assistant at a Quantity Surveyors’ in Leeds.

Joan, who is 23 and her husband. Mr. Christopher Darling, a sub-editor on the “News Chronicle” have one child who is almost four months old.

Mrs. Farndale was born at Mottram-in-Longdendale, near Hyde in Cheshire but came to live in Baildon soon afterwards

Mr. Farndale’s one big spare time activity is the cultivating of roses, and his garden is packed with a varied selection of them. Indeed these beautiful specimens which are about 550 in number, have won Mr. Farndale numerous prizes. He is a regular exhibitor at the Shipley and District Allotment Holders’ and Gardeners’ Association shows, and his exhibits are well worth viewing as I saw for myself when he showed me his garden. Also proudly showing in the garden at the rear of his bungalow are colourful apple and pear trees, which are invariably packed with hordes of fruit.

Another hobby is the collecting of classical gramophone records of which he has a large selection. Whether on the field of play at cricket or football or simply on the street, Wilf Farndale is always the same, and a more affable person one could not wish to meet. He gives one the impression of being content and enjoying himself in his work, his leisure, and in his garden.

Living at 53 Temple Rhydding Drive, Wilf died 26 January, 1965, at Chaddersley House, Kirkgate, Shipley. In his will he left £4,800 to his widow, Kathleen. Kathleen died in 1999.

Fawkes, Thomas
19 April 1879 – 15 November 1960

Thomas Fawkes was the son of William Fawkes. William was born 4 June 1843 in Rutland. He married Violet Skellet 11 April 1865. William worked as a railway labourer.
Thomas, the seventh of eleven children, was born 19 April 1879 in Rutland. The family lived in Rutland where in 1891 Thomas was a farm labourer.

Thomas was appointed as a porter at Saltaire railway station 15 November 1900. In 1901 he was boarder at 55 Titus Street in Saltaire.

Thomas married Annie Todd (born 21 June 1878) at Christchurch Windhill, 8 December 1903. They had three children including Edna born c1905 and Donald born 15 December 1922. They lived at 24 Ada Street in Saltaire from 1906 to 1915. Then they moved to Shipley and lived in the following houses: -
1918 to 1933 – 84 Thompson St.
1934 to 1935 – 49 Marlborough Rd.
1936 to 1939 – 24 Albert Rd.
1946 to 1955 – 8 Dallam Av.
1956 to 1957 – 57 Clifton Pl.

In 1939 Thomas was working as an excess luggage collector.

Report from the Shipley Times Friday 21 April 1922:

ASSAULTING A PORTER
At the Bradford West Riding Police Court last Thursday a Bingley labourer named Luke Jones was charged with being drunk at Shipley on April 11. Defendant pleaded guilty to this charge but pleaded not guilty to a further charge of assaulting Thomas Fawkes on the same date.
Thomas Fawkes, a porter at the Shipley Midland Railway Station, said that about 10.30pm on April 11 his attention was drawn to a disturbance in the sub-way. Together with a railway inspector he went to see what the matter was and found two men fighting on the ground. Witness tried to stop the fight. The men were parted and one of them ran off, but the defendant put his arms round his (the witness’s legs). Witness asked defendant to let go and when he did not, he bent to release himself. Defendant immediately kicked out and caught him (witness) on the back of the head with his boot. Witness was unconscious for several minutes. There was afterwards a large lump on the back of his head.
Jones was fined 10s. on the first charge and sent to prison for two months on the second charge.

Excerpt from a report in the Shipley Times 2 October 1946:

Another long service employee of the London. Midland, and Scottish Railway Company who retired last week-end is Mr. Thomas Fawkes, of 8 Dallam Avenue, Shipley. A native of Rutland. he started work with the Company at Wennington in Lancashire 46 years ago. A year later he was transferred to Saltaire. Since then he has worked at several stations in Yorkshire. including ten years at Shipley.

Report from the Shipley Times 9 December 1953:

Mr and Mrs. Thomas Fawkes, of 8. Dallam Avenue, Shipley, celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary yesterday They were married at Windhill Parish Church on December 8. 1903. by the Rev. C. Strong. On Saturday a small family party was held in the Saltaire Congregational Church Schoolroom.
Mr Fawkes is a native of Rutlandshire. and worked for 45 years on the London. Midland and Scottish Railways, having periods of service at Wennington, Saltaire, Shipley, and finally Forster Square Station, Bradford, retiring from there in 1946. He was well known at one time in the Shipley district as a keen amateur gardener and won many prizes, including the Councillor. Thomas Hill Challenge Cup. which he won outright after having held it for three consecutive years.
Mrs. Fawkes, nee Emily Annie Todd, is a member of a well-known Windhill family and, until ill-health prevented her attendance, was a member of Saltaire Congregational Church Women’s Own.
Mr. and Mrs. Fawkes have one son, two daughters and five grandchildren.

Emily died 1st Qtr. 1960 in the Worth Valley district. Thomas died 15 November 1960 in Rutland.

 

Feather, Briggs
28 April 1860 – 7 October 1916

Briggs Feather was the son of John Feather. John was born c1826 in Keighley. He married Elizabeth (surname unknown) around 1844. In 1851 they were living in Oakworth with John working as a wool comber.

Briggs, the second youngest of seven children was born 28 April 1860 in Haworth. The family were living in Haworth in both the 1861 and 1871 censuses with John working as a weaver. By 1881 they had moved to 8 Ferrands Road in Shipley.

Briggs, a bootmaker, married Lavinia Dennison 30 October 1883 at the Saltaire Wesleyan Chapel. She was born c1862 in Henshaw, Leeds. They had four children: Elizabeth (b1885), Olive (b1889), Hannah (b1892) and Frank (b1895) who served in WW1.

In 1892 they were living at 10 Ferrands Road in Shipley.

Report in the Shipley Times 30 April 1898: -

Failure. — A receiving order was made on Tuesday (26 April), at the Bradford County Court, against Briggs Feather, of 10 Ferrands Road, Shipley, carrying on business in Bingley Road, Shipley; a general dealer. The solicitor acting in the matter is Mr Charles Cromack, Westgate, Bradford.

Report in the Shipley Times 14 May 1898: -

MEETING OF CREDITORS – On Wednesday (11 May) morning in the offices of Mr. J. A. Binns, the Official Receiver, a meeting was held of the creditors of Briggs Feather, general dealer, of Bingley Road, Shipley. The administration of the estate was left in the hands of Mr. Binns.

Report in the Shipley Times 18 May 1906: -

“Christian Service,” was the subject an address given before the members the Baildon Wesleyan Men's Bible Class Sunday (13 May) afternoon by Mr. Briggs Feather, Saltaire.

By 1911 they had moved to 73 Bingley Road in Saltaire (formerly 12 Gordon Terrace) with Briggs running a boot shop.

Briggs died 7 October 1916 and was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery Shipley.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 13 October: -

PASSING OF A SALTAIRE TRADESMAN.

The death of Mr Briggs Feather a well-known Saltaire tradesman, who died suddenly last week-end, came as a shock to a large circle friends.

For the greater part of his life, he had been associated with the Saltaire Road Wesleyan Church, and he, along with Mr. J. Speak, were largely responsible for the resurrection of the little Mission at Baildon Green, about 16 years ago.

The funeral took place on Tuesday (10 October), at Nab Wood Cemetery, a short service being conducted at the Wesleyan Church prior to the interment. The officiating ministers were the Rev. T. Ogden Taylor (former circuit minister at Shipley, and a friend of the deceased), and the Rev. W. B. Mattinson (circuit minister). In his address, Mr. Taylor paid an eloquent tribute the memory of Mr. Feather.

His widow, Lavinia, died, 18 November 1938, and she was buried alongside him.

 

Enos Feather was the son of James Feather. James was born c1832 in Haworth. He married Sarah Ann Shackleton 26 February 1859 in Keighley. In 1861 they were living at 5 Mary Street in Saltaire with James working as a roller coverer.

Enos, the second of seven children was born 1862 in Saltaire. In 1871 they were living at 42 Mary Street. In 1881 they were living at 22 Gordon Terrace (re-numbered 93 Bingley Road) with Enos working as an apprentice grocer.

Sarah Ann died 24 August 1913 and was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery, James joined her when he died 2 November 1915.
Enos married Eva Hey 14 March 1887. Eva was living at 10 Shirley Street. They had a son, Frank, who was born in 1889 and died in 1896. They had a daughter, Annie, born in 1895. In 1891 they were living at 48 Leeds Road in Shipley with Enos working as a Grocer. In 1891 they were at 10 Oastler Road in Shipley. By 1911 they were living at 87 Bingley Road (originally 19 Gordon Terrace) in Saltaire.

Enos died 21 January 1919 and was buried three days later in Nab Wood Cemetery. Hi widow, Eva, died 1944 and was buried alongside Enos.

 

Horace Feather was the son of James Feather. James was born c1832 in Haworth. He married Sarah Ann Shackleton 26 February 1859 in Keighley. In 1861 they were living at 5 Mary Street in Saltaire with James working as a roller coverer.

Horace, the fourth of seven children was born 10 February 1866 in Saltaire. In 1871 they were living at 42 Mary Street. In 1881 they were living at 22 Gordon Terrace (re-numbered 93 Bingley Road) with Horace working as a mill hand. In 1891 the family were living at 10 Victoria Road where Horace was a butcher, which would his trade and place of work for the rest of his life. Sarah Ann died 24 August 1913 and was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery, James joined her when he died 2 November 1915. 

Horace married Ada Butterfield 11 December 1893 at Holy Trinity church in Bingley. They had four children (with one dying in infancy); Ethel born c1896, Harry 1900 and Frank Butterfield 1905. They lived at 10 Victoria Road until they moved to Midgley Farm in Baildon around 1923 whilst carrying on the business in Victoria Road.

In 1906 Horace was made President of the Shipley & District Butchers Association. During WW1 he acted as the district allocator of animal stock to the Government. He, along with his wife, were prominent members of Shipley society.

Ada died 5 December 1929 and was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery.

In February 1951 Horace was one of four life members who attended the annual dinner of the Shipley and District Master Butchers’ Association.

Horace died 12 September 1953 and was buried alongside his wife.

In his will Horace left £15,329 6s 11d (worth c£420k in 2018) to his sons Harry, a bank official, and Frank, who carried on the family’s butchery business.

Jabez Fieldhouse was the son of George Fieldhouse. George was born c1815 in Baildon. He married Ann Hill 26 December 1839 at Bradford Cathedral. In 1851 they were living at King Street in Bingley with George working as a wool comber.

Jabez, the second youngest of seven children, was born 1854 in Bingley. In 1861 the family were living at Lane Top in Burley. 1871 finds them in Saltaire at 22 Constance Street with Jabez working as a bookkeeper. In 1881 he was a wool sorter and lodging at 17 Kirkgate in Shipley.

Jabez married Esther Illingworth 28 January 1884 at Bradford Cathedral. They had 11 children, but only six survived to adulthood; Sam (1881 – 29 September 1901), Alice (b1885), Emily (b1886), Annie (b1888), Miriam (b1893) and Harold (1895 – 14 July 1938.)

In 1887 they were living at 21 Amelia Street in Saltaire. They moved to 4 Oxford Street in Shipley in 1891. By 1900 they were at 7 George Street in Saltaire.

Jabez died 6 November 1914 and he was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery in Shipley. From 1919 his widow, Esther, was living at 27 Dove Street in Saltaire. She died 19 November 1929 and was buried alongside Jabez.

 

Fillingham, Naomi
23 December 1887 – 7 May 1968

Naomi Fillingham was the daughter of Charles William Fillingham. Charles was born c1848 in Beverley. He married Fanny Meanwell (born c1851 Hull) in Lincoln in 1869. In 1871 they were living in Lincoln, by 1881 they had moved to Gainsborough. Charles worked as an iron moulder.

Naomi, the second youngest of nine children was born 23 December 1887 in Shipley. In 1891 the family were living at 5 Merton Street in Shipley. In 1901 they were living at 2 Balfour Street in Shipley with Charles now working as an insurance agent. Naomi was working as a stocking finisher.

23 February 1902, Naomi is reported as giving a piano solo at the Annual Students Concert in connection with the Shipley School of Music. On 29 December 1903 Naomi and her younger sister, Ethel, were vocalists at an entertainment for children at the Primitive Methodist Church in Saltaire Road, Shipley. In 1904 when they were living in Baker Street in Shipley, the family had a unique double wedding. Two of Naomi’s elder sisters, Eliza and Nellie, married brothers James and Arthur Ward.

Naomi’s father, Charles, died in 1909. In 1911 Naomi was living with her widowed mother, and Ethel, at 18 Helen Street in Saltaire. Both Naomi and Ethel were working as winders. George William Fillingham, a brother of Naomi served in WW1.

Naomi moved with her family to 11 Shirley Street in Saltaire around 1915 and remained there until about 1929. In 1922 sister Ethel married Fred Berry. They had a daughter, Joan, born 30 April 1923.

From around 1929 until about1935 the family, including Fred, lived at 61 George Street in Saltaire. They all moved to 25 Albert Road in Saltaire around 1935.

At a Shipley Urban Council meeting on 29 June 1937 Naomi was one of two ladies, from seven applicants, recommended for the position of midwife.

Naomi’s mother, Fanny, died in 1939.

In the 1939 Register Naomi was working as a municipal midwife, Fred was a worsted warping overlooker and Joan an office clerk.

In 1962 spinster Naomi was still living with Berry family at 25 Albert Road.

On 11 June 1958 Naomi and Ethel celebrated the 85 th birthday of their widowed sister, Maria Sidebottom, who lived at 1 Albert Road in Saltaire. Maria married Samuel Sidebottom in 1900; Samuel served in WW1 he died in 1953 having worked at Leeds Railway Station for fifty years, after which they were caretakers for Lloyds Bank in Saltaire.

Naomi died 7 May 1968, aged 80. She is remembered in the Garden of Remembrance at Hirst Wood Cemetery in Shipley. Her nephew Jack Fillingham served in WW2.

 

Firth, Edith Mary (nee Hall)
19 August 1890 – 2 April 1982

Edith Mary Hall was born, 19 August 1890, in Witton Park, County Durham to George & Elizabeth Hall.

In 1911 the family was living in Boosbeck, North Yorkshire, where George worked as a miner. Edith did not have a job.

Working as a worsted drawer, Edith married Ernest Firth, a clerk aged just 17, 26 December 1914, at Saltaire Road Primitive Methodist Church, Shipley. In 1918 they were living at 21 Ada Street, Saltaire.

Report in the Shipley Times 15 May 1925 as follows: -

DOMESTIC TROUBLE AT SALTAIRE.

STORY OF ALLEGED WIFE DESERTION.

Ernest Firth was summoned at Bradford West Hiding Court yesterday for deserting his wife, Edith Mary Firth. Mrs. Firth said that they lived at 21 Ada Street, Saltaire. They had been married for 10 years. On 2 May, after going to the pictures, she returned and found that the door was locked. She knocked but receiving no reply she went home to her mother’s. Witness added that her husband had previously left at Easter. He had been “bothering with another girl.”

Her husband was a cloth finisher at Saltaire Mills, and she assessed his earnings at £3 a week. He was working five days a week. She had left her husband 23 February and gone to her mother’s for a month because her husband said that he would bring the other woman, who was a servant in Nab Lane, down to the house. She had been under operation, and since coming out of hospital her life had been unbearable.

It was not a fact that she spent more time with her parents than she did with her husband. A key might have been left behind the back door, but to get there it was necessary to round the back road, which was very dark at the time. Since 2 May the house had still been locked. Her husband had not been living there. Defendant, in evidence, said that his wife left him first on 19 February for a night, and from 23 February she left for a month except for two days. She took half the furniture with her when she left.

On 2 May, during teatime, his brother and his wife called, and his (witness's) wife got in the middle of the meal and went out with them. Later, he himself went out and left the key in the place which had been mutually agreed upon. On returning he saw no lights in the house and waited at the top of the street to see what time his wife would come in.

At 10.55 he saw his wife, who passed him. She went into her parent’s house, and directly afterwards her brother came out, made a beeline for witness and assaulted him. He obtained police assistance, and returned about 11.45, the constable following behind. On entering the house witness locked the door and went to bed. He did not hear any knocking after he had entered the house. He had only visited the house in Nab Lane in company with his wife. The girl who was a servant there was a mutual friend of himself and his wife. He had received one letter from the girl since she had left. The Court made an order for the payment of 25s per week.

By 1930 Edith was living with her parents and her brother, John Robert Hall, at 50 George Street, Saltaire. Edith and her brother would spend the rest of their lives here.

In the 1939 Register, Edith worked as a wool drawer and her brother, John Robert, was an ironstone minor. He died 7 January 1941. In his will, John Robert left Edith £396 9s 8d. Edith died 2 April 1982.

 

Firth, Naboth
1870 – 25 October 1921

Naboth Firth was the son of Joseph Firth. Joseph was born c1842 in East Ardsley, near Wakefield. He married Hannah Wood at St. Michael’s, East Ardsley. They had four sons.

Naboth, their eldest, was born in 1870 in East Ardsley. In 1871 they were living in Bingley where Joseph was a blacksmith. In 1881 & 1891 they lived in Baildon. In 1891 Naboth was a manufacturer’s clerk.

Naboth married Hannah Pitts 25 May 1885 at St. Wilfrid’s, Calverley. They had two children: Joseph born 4 September 1895 and Alice 25 February 1902. Joseph was killed 1 July 1916 serving his country in WW1.

Naboth worked as a bookkeeper. In 1901 he was living with his family at 9 Queens Road, Shipley. By 1911 they had moved to 2 Queens Road.

Naboth died 25 October 1921: -

Reports in the Shipley Times 28 October 1921: -

Saltaire’s most popular cricketer, Naboth Firth, whose home is 2 Queen's Road, Shipley, died on Tuesday (25 October) morning in tragic circumstances. For some time, Mr. Firth, who was 51 years of age, had been far from well, and acute neuralgia had caused him to become depressed. He left home 8.16 a.m. and a quarter of an hour later Tom Pilkington saw him fall in Moorhead Lane. Assistance was obtained, and Mr. Firth was carried home in an unconscious condition. Dr. Sharpe was summoned, and despite artificial respiration, Mr. Firth expired a quarter hour later. Deceased, who leaves a widow and one daughter, suffered a great shock by the death in the war of his only son.

A native of East Ardsley, his cricket career commenced when as a junior he assisted the Charlestown Wesleyan C.C. Later, in 1890, when still in his teens, Nabe, as he was known to all, associated himself with the Baildon Green club. He quickly obtained his place in the first team, no mean feat a time when it included F. Lee (the Yorkshire County player), Johnny Walker (an excellent bat and captain of the Baildon team), J. Lamb, senr., J. Mann, and S. Pemberton. In his first season with Baildon Green, whom he assisted altogether for five seasons, Nabe won prizes for both batting and bowling, and in 1895, the season prior to his becoming associated with Saltaire, he headed the bowling averages. In this year he bowled 152.1 overs, maidens, and took 32 wickets for 246 runs, an average per wicket of 7.68 runs. He played for Saltaire in the seasons 1896 and 1897, scoring runs and achieving many notable successes with the ball.

In 1898 he became professional for Mountain Ash, but returned to Saltaire, whom he assisted until the formation of the Bradford League in 1903. Firth joined the Shelf club that year and assisted them to win the championship.

In 1906 he again returned to Saltaire, and with “Schofe” Swithenbank, gained the reputation of being the brat opening pair in the Bradford League. With T. Ives he holds the record partnership for the Saltaire dub. Playing Undercliffe in the Priestley Charity Cup, Ives and Firth put on 166 runs for the first wicket, and Firth topped the century.

When Saltaire and Bankfoot tied with 99 runs each, the final the Priestley Charity Cup competition, Firth scored 53 of bis side’s total. For a number of seasons he captained Saltaire, and to his lot fell the honour of captaining the rest of the Bradford League against the League winners, and of captaining a team representative of the Bradford League against the Yorkshire second eleven. He has many bowling records to his credit, and one of his best performances was against Green in 4910, when he took five wickets for 16 runs. He played 21 seasons for Saltaire (1896-7, 1899-1902. 1907-1920). and scored 6,984 runs for the club, in 3,71 innings, being not out times. His average works out at 20.72 runs.

Mr. Geo. Birbeck (President of the Saltaire Cricket Club) remarked to an Express representative that the club would feel his loss very much. In addition to his active interest in the team’s welfare, he rendered invaluable service as an auditor. Only one thing could be said of him, that he was in every way a gentleman. He had done a great work for the Bradford Cricket League, and during his career had done much to raise the status of the cricket played. He had been assiduous and keen adviser, and a very helpful coach to young players.

THE INQUEST

A verdict of Death due to taking cyanide of potassium while of unsound mind at the 'time,” was returned by the District Coroner, Mr. E. W. Norris, on Wednesday (26 October) afternoon, at the inquest.

Alice Evelyn Firth, of 2 Queen’s Road, Shipley, daughter, of deceased, identified the body as that of her father, Naboth Firth, whose age was 51. He was employed as head clerk at a chemical works, he last worked on Monday. He had been in very poor health for the last 18 months and had been medically attended to by Dr. Ward Smith. Before January of last year he had had a great deal of pain in the face and head with neuritis. An injection was given him at Leeds Hospital to deaden the pain, and one half of his face had been paralysed as a consequence. He was very depressed and strange in his manner and kept saying that his work was all wrong. This was a delusion, as witness saw the manager of the firm where deceased was employed and learnt that everything was in perfect order.

The Coroner; Had he no other delusions about any of his relations Witness: No. Witness, continuing, stated that more than once during the last few months deceased had spoken of committing suicide. Dr. Ward Smith had been consulted but found no signs of insanity. Witness had seen a little phial in deceased’s possession about a fortnight ago, and this contained some white tabloids. Witness asked him what they were, but he refused to tell. She last saw her father alive on the Tuesday morning. Seeing he was about drink out of a larger bottle she endeavoured to dissuade him, but he said “No, I shall take it all. I shall need it.” Unable to secure the bottle, witness went for assistance, and, returning with another woman not two minutes later, saw him leaving the house. She called to him, but he would not answer. After putting on her overcoat, witness followed him, and on turning into Moorhead Lane, she saw him on the road-side supported by three men. Witness at once went for Dr. Sharpe.

Dr. Sharpe: Had your father had breakfast? Witness: No.

In reply to the Coroner witness stated that the two bottles produced were found by her in the dust-bin. A note produced, which was in the deceased’s hand-writing, was found in his coat pocket. Half her father’s tongue was paralysed. The main nerve in his face was diseased. That would account for her father saying in the letter that his mouth was “cruel.”

Tom Pilkington, 15, High Bank Cottages, Moorhead, Shipley, stated that on Tuesday morning about 8.30, he saw deceased approaching him in Moorhead lane. When within two yards of witness, deceased dropped on his face. Witness could not understand what was the matter, and propped deceased up against a wall, and obtained assistance. It appeared to witness as if deceased had had a fit. Four men came to the witness’s help and took deceased home.

Dr. Sharpe, Shipley, stated that he had attended deceased on several occasions for Dr. Ward Smith, when the latter was on holiday. Then deceased’s condition was that his face was paralysed owing to the injection which he had had. He complained of a bad taste in his mouth and was constantly worrying. The injection was to deaden the pain. All his teeth had been taken out to cure the pain of the neuritis, but there was no actual evidence of disease. Before the injection the pain would be most agonising. There was no sign of insanity, but deceased was very depressed. He dreaded the recurrence of the pain, and that would account for bis depression.

Witness saw deceased on Tuesday morning about 8.30 at the house at Queen’s Road. He was unconscious and his breath smelt of the odour of bitter almonds. Artificial respiration, hot fomentations and emetics were resorted to, but deceased died about 8.45 a.m. Miss Firth had handed two bottles to him, that had been found in the fire-place. The smaller of these smelt strongly of almonds, find witness believed that it had contained cyanide of potassium. The symptoms wore those of poisoning by cyanide of potassium. To witness’s knowledge this poison was not sold in tabloid form, but in cakes. was possible that deceased might have broken up some cakes of this poison, and kept them in the smaller bottle, afterwards making solution in the larger bottle. There was no smell in the last bottle, as the cork had been left off.

Death was due to cyanide of potassium poisoning. Deceased told witness life “was not worth living,” and seemed very depressed. The paralysis caused by the injection should not have affected deceased’s mind.

In the letter written by deceased, said the coroner, there was the phrase, “What am I to do, it seems the asylum or death?” Evidently the deceased had some dread of his mind giving way. The coroner was of the opinion that deceased was suffering from certain mental disturbances. His mind was not normal, for the letter did not read of that of a man of a sound mind. The verdict would be that “death was due to having taken cyanide of potassium, not being of sound mind at the time.”

Report in the Shipley Times 4 November 1921: -

The funeral of Mr. Naboth Firth, of 2 Queen’s Road, Shipley, who for a long period of years assisted the Saltaire C.C., and whose death occurred last week, look place at Charlestown Cemetery (Baildon) on Saturday (29 October) afternoon. The interment was preceded by a service at St. Peter’s Church, Shipley conducted by the Rev. F. B. Hope (Vicar).

A large number of well-known cricketers were present, and in addition to the officials and playing members of the Saltaire Club, representatives attended from Bingley, Windhill and Baildon Green. The Moorhead Amateurs Association Football Club was also represented.

 

Flude, Edgar
28 May 1892 – 1961

Edgar Flude was the son of Benjamin Flude. Benjamin was born in 1864. He married Clara Vaux Horsfall, 22 May 1889, at Bradford Cathedral. They had three children.

Edgar, their eldest child, was born 28 May 1892. He was baptised, 13 July 1892, at St. Mary’s, Laisterdyke.

In 1901 Benjamin was a grocer living with his family at 108 Back Lane, Bowling.

Working as a mechanic, Edgar married Mary Jane Scarfe, 11 November 1911, at Bradford. Mary, born 17 July 1892, was a worsted minder living at 20 Constance Street, Saltaire. They had three children (none of whom were born in Saltaire). In 1914 they were living at 8 (renumbered 7) Albert Terrace, Saltaire. By 1918 they had moved to Horton, Bradford.

In the 1939 Register they were living at 8 Wood Place, Bradford, with Edgar working as an engine turner. Their son, Stanley, born c1924, lost his life, 10 July 1944, serving in the Royal Navy in WW2.

Edgar died in 1961 in Bradford; Mary died in 1979.

 

Foster, Elizabeth
c1884 –????

Elizabeth Foster was the daughter of John Eastburn Foster. John was born c1852 in Shipley. He married Harriet Harrison, 30 November 1872, at Bradford Cathedral. They had five children. In 1881 the family were living at 5 Field Street, Shipley, with John working as a painter.

Elizabeth, their fourth child, was born c1884 in Shipley. She was baptised, 28 October 1887, at St. Paul’s Shipley, with the family living at 11 Albion Street, Shipley

In 1891 they were at 8 Raglan Street, Shipley. John died in 1899.

In 1901 & 1911 his widow Harriet lived at 4 Helen Street in Saltaire, with Elizabeth working as a drawer in a woollen mill. It is unclear what happened to Elizabeth after 1911.

Elizabeth had a sister, Ann, and three brothers, Fred, Thomas & William who served in WW1.

 

Smith Fox was the son of Parker Fox. Parker was born 4 June 1834 in Bradford. He married Martha Smith 23 July 1855 at Bradford Cathedral.

Smith, the eldest of six children, was born 1855. In 1861 the family lived at 3 Wright Street in Bradford, with Parker working as a worsted spinning overlooker. By 1871 they were living at 38 George Street in Saltaire. Smith was a mill worker, at first a spinner then as a wool sorter.
Smith married Emma Wilson 4 November 1882 at Bradford Cathedral. They had five children; Edith Alice (b1883), Ernest (b1885), Harry (b1888), Arthur (b1892) and Annie (b1895).

The family lived at 4 Herbert Street in Saltaire until around 1891 when they moved to 25 Birklea Street in Bowling. By 1900 they were living at 3 Birch Grove in Keighley. In 1911 Smith was boarding, without his family, 136 Coates Road in Bradford.

Smith played cricket for Saltaire Cricket Club and died in 1922.

 

Fry, Edgar Clifford
1874 – 11 May 1950

Edgar Clifford, the fourth son of William, was born in 1874 in Saltaire. Clifford (as he was known) was educated at Salt Schools. In 1891 & 1901he was working as a clerk for a stuff merchant.

Clifford married Sarah Marie Thread 8 April 1903 at St Andrews Bradford. They had one son, Geoffrey Keith Fry, born 4 June 1905. They lived at 10 Albert Road (renumbered 19) in Saltaire with Clifford working as an account for Joseph Dawson, a textile manufacturing company in Bradford. In 1919 the family moved away from Saltaire to live at 6 Beechwood Avenue in Shipley.

Clifford served as chairman of the Institute Club committee who ran the club for Shipley Council. He was also honorary secretary for the Social Evenings which were a feature of the Institute. In 1926 he was presented with a silver fruit bowl for his services to the Conversazione.

When his father’s health was fading he assisted him by becoming deputy clerk of the Sir Titus Salt Charity. Upon his father’s death he declined the role of clerk and instead accepted the position of honorary secretary for the charity. He held this position with throughout the war. In March 1919 the charity reluctantly accepted his resignation and thanked him for his valuable work. Clifford was a Unionist, and as such he held the post of Vice-chairman of Shipley Unionist Club.

Clifford and his wife left the Shipley area around 1926 and by1950 they were living in Birkby near Huddersfield. Clifford died 11 May 1950 at Trinity Street Nursing Home in Huddersfield. In his will he left £472 4s 3d (worth £14k in 2015) to his son Geoffrey who was working as a mill manager.

His widow, Sarah, moved to Rastrick and she died 26 August 1959 at Thornhill Nursing Home in Lindley Huddersfield. In her will she left £2829 12s 9d (worth £59k in 2015) to her son Geoffrey.

Fry, George Cecil
11 October 1876 – 29 April 1944

George Cecil Fry was the son of William Fry. William was born 1838 in Wellington in Somerset. He married Mary Ann Dunn in 1862; they had five sons and two daughters. In 1871 there family were living in Otley with William working as a railway station master.

By 1873 they had move to Saltaire with William working as the secretary for Salts Schools and the other schools in Saltaire.

William held the post of clerk/secretary of the Saltaire Institute from 1874, he was also the clerk to the Sir Titus Salt Charity, the body that governed Saltaire Hospital.

George, their youngest son, was born 11 October 1876 in Saltaire. He was baptised 12 November 1876 at Saltaire Congregational Church.

From before 1879 to 1887 the family lived at 24 George Street in Saltaire. Between 1887 and 1902 they lived at 5 Myrtle Place.

George attended Salts School. Report from the Shipley Times 29 August 1891: -

The following pupils from the High Schools, Saltaire, have gained £60 a-year County Council scholarships, tenable at the Yorkshire College, Firth Collage (Sheffield), or Royal College of Science (South Remington); —Edith Croft, Harold Firth, George Cecil Fry, and Walter Clapham. Only six entered lor examination, and four hare been successful.

Extract from a report in the Yorkshire Evening Press 18 February 1893: -

University of London – Matriculation Examination

The following are amongst those successful in the First Division – George Cecil Fry, Yorkshire College & Technical School, Shipley.

Report from the Shipley Times 22 July 1893: -

Mr. George Cecil Fry, a scholarship holder from the Salt Schools to the Yorkshire College, has passed the intermediate examination of the Victoria University for the degree of Bachelor of Science, and also gains the college prize for the year in German.

Excerpt from a report in the Bradford Daily Telegraph 30 June 1894: -

Mr. George Cecil Fry, an old boy of Salt’s School, and a holder of a County Council scholarship, has obtained the degree of B.Sc. (Victoria) at the early age of 17.

Report from the Bradford Daily Telegraph 19 August 1896: -

George Cecil Fry, a County Council scholarship holder from Salts Boys’ High School, has passed the examination for admission to the Associateship of the Institute of Chemistry. The examinations were held at the Institute’s laboratory in London and lasted four days.

George married Jane Holmes 15 April 1908. Report from the Shipley Times 17 April:

On Wednesday morning the wedding took place at the Saltaire Congregational Church of Mr. George Cecil Fry, youngest son of Mr Wm. Fry, of Saltaire, and Miss Jane Holmes, younger daughter of Mr. & Mrs. B. Holmes, of Ashbourne, Nab Wood. There were no bridesmaids. The Rev. P. Drummond Pringle was the officiating minister.

Subsequently, a reception was held at Ashbourne, after which Mr & Mrs G.C. Fry left for London, en route for Devonshire, where the honeymoon is to be spent.

In May 1909 George is reported as working at the North Devon County School. In the 1911 census George was a school master at West Buckland in Devon. They had a son, Edward Cecil May 15 May 1913 at Bulwell, Nottinghamshire.

Excerpt from the Derbyshire Advertiser 11 October 1912: -

Diocese of Southwell

A general Ordination was held by the Lord Bishop of Southwell, in Southwell Minster, on Sunday (6 October), when the following were ordained: -

Deacon – George Cecil Fry, M.Sc., Leeds University and Clergy Training School, Cambridge; licensed to Bulwell, Nottingham.

Excerpt from the Derbyshire Advertiser 26 December 1913: -

Diocese of Southwell

A general Ordination was held by the Lord Bishop of Southwell, in Southwell Minster, on Sunday (21 December), when the following were ordained: -

Priest – George Cecil Fry, M.Sc., Leeds University and Clergy Training School, Cambridge.

Report from Western Times 11 August 1914: -

The Rev. George Cecil Fry, M. Sc., of the University of Leeds, and the Clergy Training College, Cambridge, has accepted the assistant curacy of Withycombe. Mr Fry, who is in Priest’s Orders, has been engaged for two years as assistant curate in the parish of Bulwell (with a population of 20,000, now merged into the town of Nottingham). He is expected to arrive at the end of October.

(Withycombe is a village five miles from Minehead, Somerset.)

Excerpt from a report in the Nottingham Journal 5 January 1915: -

Diocese Of Southwell
Licence to Stipendiary Curacies – George Cecil Fry, M.Sc., to Beeston, Notts.

Report from the Shipley Times 11 March 1921: -

PRESENTATION TO REV. G. C. FRY

The Rev. G. C. Fry, son of the late Mr. William Fry, who for many years was secretary of the Salt Schools Shipley, and chief librarian at the Saltaire Institute, has been presented with a cheque for £70 subscribed by the members of the congregation of St. Peter’s Church, Ilfracombe, and friends, on the occasion his leaving Ilfracombe to take up his duties as curate-in-charge of St. Anne’s Church, Taunton. There were 276 subscribers. Both the Rev. G. C. & Mrs. Fry are well known in the Shipley district.

George died 29 April 1944. Report from the Taunton Courier 6 May: -

The funeral took place at Corfe Wednesday (3 May) of the Rev George Cecil Fry, aged 68, of Dunrovin, Carhampton. Mr. Fry was formerly a schoolmaster and served under two headmasters West Buckland School, North Devon. He was the author of standard textbooks, principally on geography, one of which is still in general use. Until he was taken ill he was engaged on a course of public lectures at Minehead for the W.E.A under the auspices of Bristol University.

 

Fry, William  
1838 – 23 November 1916

William, the son of Humphrey Fry, was born 1838 in Wellington in Somerset. In 1861 he was living in a boarding house in Derby and working as a railway porter.

William married Mary Ann Dunn in 1862; they had five sons and two daughters. In 1871 there family were living in Otley with William working as a railway station master. By 1873 they had move to Saltaire with William working as the secretary for Salts Schools and the other schools in Saltaire. He held this position until the schools were passed over to the Shipley Education Committee in 1900. William held the post of clerk/secretary of the Saltaire Institute from 1874, he was also the clerk to the Sir Titus Salt Charity, the body that governed Saltaire Hospital.

From before 1879 to 1887 William lived with his family at 24 George Street in Saltaire. They lost a daughter, Winifred Adeline, when she died 10 November 1879 aged just eight months. Between 1887 and 1902 they lived at 5 Myrtle Place in Saltaire. His wife, died in 1901; widowed William lived at 71 George Street in Saltaire before moving to 233 Bingley Road in Shipley. Through failing health and the loss of sight in his left eye William resigned from his positions in September 1914. In his last few years he held the post of consulting librarian for Shipley Council.

William died 23 November 1916 and he was buried, alongside his wife, two days later at Nab Wood Cemetery in Shipley at a well-attended funeral. In his will he left £248 13s 5d (worth c£23k in 2015) to his sons Ernest & Clifford and his son in law, George Leslie Armstrong.

Fuller, Frank Joseph
4 June 1868 – 4 March 1946

Frank Joseph Fuller was the son of Joseph Adam Fuller. Joseph was born 1846 in Cambridge. He married Rachel Clayborn in 1867 in Cambridge. They had eight children.

Frank, their first child, was born 4 June 1868 in Cambridge. The family lived in Cambridge where Joseph was a railway engine fitter, then an ironmonger, then a whitesmith. In 1891 Frank was a mathematics student.

Frank married Florence Annetta Whybro in 1898 in Cambridge. Florence was born 10 January 1869 in Cambridge. They had three children: Rupert Joseph born 1903, Doris Gertrude 1906, and Frank Ronald Whybro 1910.

In 1901 they were living in Chesterfield where Frank was a schoolmaster.

Report in the Shipley Times 22 July 1904: -

The Governors the Salt Schools have appointed Mr Frank Joseph Fuller, of Chesterfield, to succeed Mr W. B. Pimlott as headmaster of the Boys' High School.

Mr. Fuller, who is M.A. of Cambridge and B.A. of London, has for the last seven years been the senior science master at the Chesterfield Grammar School. Previous to his Chesterfield appointment, Mr Fuller was for over two years form master at the Perse Grammar School, Cambridge. He has a brother in the Wesleyan ministry, now stationed at Leeds. Both he and his wife are musically gifted.

In 1911 Frank was living with his family at 114 Bradford Road, Shipley.

Editorial in the Shipley Times 5 May 1928: -

A notable figure in the scholastic circles in Shipley is about to retire. I refer to Mr. P. J. Fuller (headmaster of the Salt Boys’ High School), who will relinquish his position at the end of the present term.

Mr. Fuller, who has been headmaster of the schools since 1904, came to the school after the late headmaster had resigned following difficulties with the governors. Since that time the school has made great progress and several of the scholars have attained eminent positions in professional and business careers.

As President of the "Old Salt's” Association, Mr. Fuller has taken a keen and personal interest in its welfare, and at the annual dinners tributes have been given by the old boys to the wise counsel of their former headmaster.

Apart from his scholastic duties, Mr. Fuller has also played a prominent part in the public life of the town. As a Wesleyan, he was a trustee of the Saltaire Wesleyan Church, and an acceptable local preacher in the Shipley Wesleyan Circuit.

He is a past president-of the Shipley branch of the League of Nations and is at present the Chairman of the West Riding Incorporated Association of Head Teachers.

On relinquishing his headship at the Salt High Schools Mr. Fuller will take residence in Cambridge, where I wish him long life and happiness in his well-earned retirement.  

Extracts from a lengthy report in the Shipley Times 28 July 1928: -

A farewell tea-party was given in the Salt Boys High School on Tuesday (24 July) evening by the Headmaster (Mr. T. J. Fuller). The guests were the present boys of the school, the assistant masters and their wives, the head and assistant mistresses of the girls' school. After due justice had been done to the good fare provided, the Hall was cleared and an entertainment got up entirely by the boys themselves, was proceeded with.

Midway in the evening the Head boy, L. Stringer, rose to make a presentation Mr. Fuller. said that they gratefully recognised the efforts Mr. Fuller had made their behalf and the interest he had always taken in them not only at school but after they had left, that they all owed much not only to his teaching, but to his training and the boys felt that they would not like Mr. Fuller to leave Shipley without taking with him some token of their esteem, and in the name of the boys he would ask Mr. Fuller to accept the lever half-hunter watch they had bought and Mrs. Fuller to accept a gold brooch pin. The inscription engraved upon the watch case was: -

“Presented to Mr. F. J. Fuller the boys of the Salt Schools, a parting gift to their Headmaster, July 1928.”

They hoped he might live many years to wear it. As Stringer made the presentation the whole audience rose their feet and burst into rounds of cheers and the singing of he's jolly good fellow."

Mr. Fuller, in acknowledgment, thanked the boys for their handsome gift.

On Wednesday (25 July) morning the whole of the staff gathered to make Mr. Fuller a parting gift which took the form of a silver cake stand on which was engraved: -

“Presented to F. J. Fuller, as a token of esteem from his colleagues on the staff of the Salt School, Shipley, on his retirement from the Headmastership of the Boys’ High School after 24 years’ service.”

The presentation was made by Mr. W. P. Winter.

Frank died 4 March 1946 at 13 Ascham Road, Cambridge. In his will he left £9,417 7s 11d. His widow, Florence, died in the same house 11 May 1969, four months after her 100th birthday.

 

Furnish, John
25 September 1866 – 1937

 John Furnish was born, 25 September 1866, in Saltaire to Martin Furnish & Ellen Mitchell. He was baptised, 27 September 1868, at All Saints, Bingley.

The family lived at 33 Caroline Street, Saltaire, with Martin working as a coal merchant. In 1881, John was working as a carter.

Report in the Shipley Times 15 November 1884: -

A GLASS TOO MUCH

On Monday, (10 November) at the West Biding Court, Bradford, before Col. Pollard (in the chair), and Major Middelton, Joseph Bertie, weaver, and John Furnish, carter, both of Saltaire, were charged with being drunk and riotous. Constable Robinson stated that on Sunday evening he was on duty in Bradford Road, when he saw the prisoners, who were drunk, annoying passengers and creating a disturbance. He took them into custody, but they became so violent that had to get the assistance of one of the borough policemen named Sutton. The prisoners, who pleaded guilty, were fined 6s. and costs each.

John married Theresa Mitchell, 3 April 1888, at Bradford Cathedral. She was born in 1866 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. They had three children – Martin born in 1892, Henry in 1895, and Ellen in 1900.

In 1891 they were living at 2 Caroline Street, Saltaire, with John working as a coal merchant.

Death Notice in the Shipley Times 6 October 1894: -

On 30 September, aged 2 ½ years, Martin, son of John Furnish, 2 Caroline Street, Saltaire.

Report in the Shipley Times 19 November 1898: -

The Bradford Official Receiver has issued a statement of the affairs of John Furnish, lately residing at 2 Caroline Street, Saltaire, and carrying on business as a coal merchant at the Midland Station, Shipley.

The liabilities expected to rank are shown at £181 Os. 2d., there being no deficiency. The debtor commenced business in February 1892, with a capital of £60. He just succeeded in making a living to about year ago, but since then, owing to depression of trade, his turnover fell from an average of £l0 a week to nearly one half. He also lost £l8 by the death of his horse. He filed his petition in bankruptcy on the Sheriff levying an execution on his effects.

John’s wife, Theresa, died, 3 April 1900. She was buried two days later in St Paul’s churchyard, Shipley.

In 1901 widower John and his two children were living with his widowed stepsister, Ada Nield, at 33 Caroline Street. John’s daughter, Ellen, died in 1902, aged just two. She was buried in St Paul’s churchyard, Shipley. John was reported as being chairman of the Procession Commission for the Shipley Annual Gala in July 1903.

John married Rachel Hannah Verity, 11 June 1908, at St Paul’s, Shipley. She was born in 1871 in Windhill. In 1911 & 1921 they were living at 10 Mount Street, Shipley. John worked as a carter and Rachel was a wool comber. In 1921 John was a carter working for Windhill Industrial, Society Ltd., Shipley.

John died in 1937. Rachel died, 3 February 1941, at Steeton, Skipton. In her will she left £892 2s 2d.

 

Furnish, Martin
c1833 – 5 March 1900

Martin Furnish was born c1833 in Ryecroft, near Bingley, to John Furnish & Alice Preston.

In 1851 they were living in Bingley, with Martin working as a coal carrier, and his father as a twister.

In 1861 they were at 7 Helen Street, Saltaire, with Martin working as a clogger, and his father as a coal loader.

Martin married Ellen Mitchell, 1 June 1862, at Bradford Cathedral. She was born c1833 in Ovenden, near Halifax.

Ellen had a daughter, Ada Mitchell, born in 1858, with an unknown father.

Martin and Ellen had seven children – Mary Jane born in 1863, John in 1866, Thomas in 1868, Harriett in 1872, and triplets born 3 April 1875.

Report in the Bradford Daily Telegraph 10 April: -

The wife of Martin Furnish, coal merchant, Caroline Street, Saltaire, on Saturday (3 April) gave birth to three sons.

 Sadly, all three died in 1875, they were buried in St Paul’s lower churchyard, Shipley, with their brother Thomas who died aged 2 years 4 months. He was buried, 5 November 1870. Triplet, Joseph died after three days, buried 7 April. Triplet, James died after fifteen weeks, buried 22 July. Triplet, Martin died after six months, buried 4 October.

Advert in the Shipley Times 1 July 1876: -

MARTIN FURNISH, COAL MERCHANT, MIDLAND STATION, SHIPLEY

(Residence 33 Caroline Street, Saltaire), begs respectfully to inform the public of Shipley & Saltaire that he is now offering West Riding and Silkstone Coals at a REDUCTION IN PRICE.

Orders received at his residence as above or at the Railway station will receive early attention, Liberal discount for cash.

The weight of all Coals guaranteed by the Midland Railway Co.

(Colin’s note – this was the first of numerous adverts in the Shipley Times published between 1876 & 1878.)

Report in the Shipley Times 14 May 1881: -

CASES OF SWINE FEVER AT SALTAIRE

During the past week, the police authorities have deemed it necessary to slaughter three pigs believed to be suffering from swine fever. It will be remembered, it was stated a fortnight ago, that Mr. Martin Furnish, who had purchased three pigs at Shipley fair in the previous week, had lost one of the animals by death, and subsequently a second died.

On Sunday (8 May) forenoon, Supt. Ball. accompanied by Inspector Symonds and Mr. Collins, veterinary surgeon, visited the piggeries at Saltaire when it was thought advisable to kill the remaining pig of Mr. Furnish, also two belonging to Mr. Tom Mann, which were kept in an adjoining stye, and the three animals were accordingly slaughtered on the spot and the carcases buried, but the blood from the affected animals was allowed to run into the drain which extends from the east to west of the piggeries, and passes under the whole 87 styes, in the yard of each of which there is a direct communication with the drain mentioned. It is certainly very necessary to use the most stringent measures to exterminate so fatal a disease amongst pigs, but it certainly seems to us to be open to grave question whether the course pursued in this instance was not rather calculated to spread the infection to all the animals in the district.

At any rate, complaints have reached us regarding what is thought by many to be a piece of authoritative unwisdom. In consequence of the above disease, the firm of Sir Titus Salt, Sons, & Co. have issued the following notice regarding their piggeries: —

"Pigs are not to be brought direct from any public market, but only from places ascertained to be free from disease, and where the pigs have been for at least fourteen days immediately preceding.”

 In 1881 & 1891 Martin lived with his family at 33 Caroline Street. His wife, Ellen. died 3 April 1896 in Morecambe, Lancashire. She was buried with their children at St. Paul’s, Shipley

Martin joined them when he died 5 March 1900 in Morecambe. In his will he left £1,241 5s to his daughter Harriet.

 

Thompson Furniss was the son of Henry Furniss. Henry was born c1809 in Pontefract. He married Ann Berry in 1830 at St Wilfrids Calverley. In 1841 they lived in Idle with Henry working as a wool comber. In 1851 & 1861 they were living in Victoria Buildings in Shipley with Henry switching from being a wool comber to being a night watchman.

Thompson, the youngest of seven children, was born 1852 in Shipley. In 1871 the family were living at 21 Hall Lane in Shipley with Thompson working as a hairdresser. Thompson married Ruth Ann Maud in 1874. They lived in Titus Street in Saltaire until moving to 79 Victoria Road in Saltaire around 1879. Here Thompson ran a barbers shop until his death in 1929. He was president of the Shipley & District Hairdressers Association.

Ruth & Thompson had five children; Harry (b1874), James (b1876), Willie (b1877) Emily Maud (b1880) and Bertha (b 1884). Willie Furnessserved in and survived the war. Bertha married Fred Rhodes who also served in and survived the war.

(Note – surname often spelt as “Furness”.)