James William Padgett was born, 6 January, 1906, in Windhill to George Padgett and Elizabeth Birkhill. He was baptised, 4 February 1906, in Windhill.

In 1911 and 1921 they were living at 42 Leeds Road, Windhill, where George ran a newsagents and stationers. In 1921 James was assisting him.

James married Elizabeth Hirst in 1929. She was born, 27 January, 1908, in Bingley. They had a son, Keith, born 6 March 1933. From 1930 to 1934 they lived at 18 Caroline Street, Saltaire.

In April 1934, working as a chauffeur, James gave evidence as a witness a court case regarding a collision between two vehicles at the junction of Victoria Road and Saltaire Road. From 1934 to 1955 they lived at 38 Albert Avenue, Shipley.

James served in the RAF in WW2

Advert from the Shipley Times 8 September: -

J. W. PADGETT, recently discharged from the R.A.F.,
Has reopened his Taxi Business at 38 ALBERT AVENUE, SHIPLEY
Hoping to receive the patronage of Old and New Customers.
Phone: Shipley 2926.

James died in 1984.

Frank Pearson was born c1904 to Thomas Pearson.

Working as a tram conductor and living at 17 Town Street, Guiseley, Frank married Caroline Hannah Cracknell, 30 April 1927, at St. Stephen’s, Kirkstall. They had three children, all born in Leeds: Eric 1928, Ronald 1930, and Elisabeth 1940.

In the 1939 Register, Caroline was living with her children, but without Frank, at 7 Bagby Square, Leeds.

Living at 10 Albert Terrace, Saltaire, Frank served in WW2.

He was killed in an accident at the Wharncliffe Chemical Works 19 December 1945, just four days after starting work there.

Excerpt from a lengthy report in the Shipley Times 2 January 1946: -

FATALITY AT WHARNCLIFFE CHEMICAL WORKS
Saltaire Man’s Death After Electric Shock
Doctor’s Advice on Artificial Respiration

That artificial respiration after an electric shock should be continued for at least two hours was the advice given by Dr. Guest, of the Royal Infirmary, Huddersfield, at an inquest held at the Shipley Town Hall on Friday (28 December) regarding the death of Frank Pearson, chemical labourer, of 10 Albert Terrace, Saltaire, who was fatally Injured whilst working at the Wharncliffe Chemical Works on Wednesday 19 December. The District Coroner (Mr. E. W. Norris) conducted the Inquiry.

 

Alexander Portsmouth was born 8 February, 1915, in Bradford to Lily Hartley Milburn and William James Portsmouth. In the 1921 Census they were living at 39 Whitlam Street, Saltaire. Bill was an out of work general labourer. They remained here until around 1930. By 1935 they were living at 33 Rhodes Street, Shipley.

Alexander was working at Saltaire Mills when he joined the R.A.F. c1934. He served in WW2. He was taken prisoner on 8 March, 1942, when Java fell. He died 13 June 1943 of acute enteritis in a POW camp at Mitsushima, Japan. He was laid to rest in Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan.

 

Leslie James Portsmouth was born 2 April, 1929, at 30 Whitlam Street, Saltaire to Lily Hartley Milburn and William James Portsmouth. By 1935 they were living at 33 Rhodes Street, Shipley.

Leslie served in WW2. He was working at Robinson’s Ltd., Shipley, when he joined the Royal Navy. In March 1944 he was a steward aboard H.M.S. Tumult, a T Class Destroyer.

Leslie married Pamela Mary Smart, 13 February, 1954, in Gloucester. Pamela was born 21 March, 1936, in Gloucester. They had a daughter, Jennifer Louisa, born 10 September, 1955.

Leslie died 20 November, 1988, in Gloucester. Pamela died 17 June, 2016.

 

William James (known as Bill) Portsmouth was born 18 February, 1897, in Stamford Hill, London, to Mary Ann Cass and William Henry Portsmouth.

In 1911 they were living in Hackney with William Henry working as a photographer’s picture frame maker.

Bill served in WW1 with the Royal Sussex Regiment. Serving in the Army and living at army barracks in Farnborough, Surrey, Bill married Lily Hartley Milburn, 25 December, 1919, at St. Peter’s, Shipley. Lily, born 8 December, 1893, in Middlesbrough, was a servant at 4 George Street, Saltaire. They had three children: Alexander born 8 December, 1915, (before they were married), Vera born in 1922, and Leslie James born 2 April, 1929.

In the 1921 Census they were living at 39 Whitlam Street, Saltaire. Bill was an out of work general labourer. They remained here until around 1930. By 1935 they were living at 33 Rhodes Street, Shipley. In the 1939 Register Bill was a wool comber.

Bill and his two sons served in WW2.

Extract from the Shipley Times 22 March 1944: -

FATHER AND TWO SONS

Mrs. W. J. Portsmouth, of 33 Rhodes Street, Shipley, has her husband and two sons serving.

L.A.C. W. J. Portsmouth, R.A.F. (47), has been in the Forces since 1940. He served in the last war. Prior to enlistment he was employed at Salts Mills, Saltaire.

Sgt. Alex Portsmouth, R.A.F. (29), has seen ten years’ service. He has been in Japanese hands since the fall of Singapore. Before joining up he worked at Salts Mills, Saltaire.

Steward Leslie Portsmouth, R.N., has been in the Navy for eighteen months, and is on board H.M.S. Tumult. Before entering the Forces he worked at Robinson’s Ltd., Shipley.

Lily died 21 August, 1959, at 8 Glenroyd, Windhill. William died in 1973.

 

Herbert Price was born, 10 January 1907, in Grimethorpe near Barnsley to William Price and Charlotte Cox. He was baptised, 10 February 1907, at St Luke’s, Grimethorpe, Staffordshire. William died in 1916 serving his country in WW1.

By 1918 Herbert was living with his mother and siblings at 8 Caroline Street, Saltaire. In the 1921 Census he was a jobber lad at Saltaire Mills.

Still living at 8 Caroline Street and working as a warehouseman, Herbert married Irene Goodison, 28 April 1928, at St. Peter’s, Shipley. Irene, born, 2 November 1908, in Grimethorpe was a twister living at 18 Mary Street, Saltaire. They had two daughters – Betty born, 5 April 1932, and Margaret born, 24 March 1935.

In 1935 they were living at 24 Ada Street, Saltaire. From 1939 to after 1960 they were at 22 Edward Street, Saltaire. In the 1939 Register Herbert was a painter working in Leeds for the L.M.S. Railway. He served in WW2.

Herbert died in 1985. Irene died 2 May 1990.

 

Percy William Price was the son of Percy John Price. Percy snr. was born 19 January 1903 in Staffordshire. His parents were William Price & Charlotte Cox. William died in 1916 serving his country in WW1. By 1918 Percy snr. was living with his mother and siblings at 8 Caroline Street, Saltaire. Percy snr. married Elsie Otter in 1921.

Percy was born, 7 September 1921, in Saltaire. Percy lived with his father and grandmother; it is unclear what happened to his mother.

They lived at 8 Caroline Street until after 1935. In the 1939 Register they were living at 9 Huntly Street, Shipley, with Percy snr. working as a motor lorry driver. He was also a volunteer A.R.P. warden.

Percy served in WW2. In 1945 he was living with his grandmother and father at 21 Caroline Street.

Caption from a photograph published in the Shipley Times 23 January 1946: -

Snowballs were used as substitute for confetti at the wedding, at Frizinghall Parish Church, on Saturday (19 January), of Mr. Percy William Price, of Caroline Street, Saltaire, and Miss Mary Stewart, of Huntly Street. Valley Road, Shipley.

(Note the photograph is too dark to copy).

Mary was born, 7 April 1924. They had at least three children – Margaret born 1954, David born 1956, and Alan born 1962.

Until around 1952 they lived in Mary’s family home, 3 Huntly Street, Shipley. From 1953 until after 1960 they lived at 41 West Royd Avenue, Shipley.

Mary died in 1990. In 2004 Percy was living at 168 Wycliffe Gardens, Shipley. He died 27 November 2010.