Ruby Sayner was the daughter of Henry Sayner. Henry was born 1864 in Skipton. Henry married Clara Foulds, 10 November 1888, in Bradford Cathedral. In 1891 they were living at 25 Titus Street in Saltaire.

Ruby, the fifth of nine children, was born in Titus Street, 3 October 1897. She was baptised, with two of her younger sisters, 12 February 1902 at Saltaire Congregational Church. In 1901 they were living at 45 Titus Street, by 1911 they had moved to 21 Maddocks Street in Shipley. Ruby had an older brother, George Henry Sayner, who served in WW1.

Ruby began her schooling at the early age of 2 ½ years attending the Central School, Saltaire Road, Shipley. Later she went to the school in Albert Road where she was found to be good at general knowledge and she was always in the top three in the three R’s.

Ruby left school when she was 13 and started work at Henry Mason’s mill. In 1916 she left the mill to join the Land Army, a most unusual course for a woman to take at that time. In fact, there was only one other woman from Shipley in the Land Army.

Ruby received a wage of 7s per week and she was trained at Esholt Hall. Afterwards she worked at various farms up and down the country. Ruby stuck out this rather gruelling task for three years, and after the end of war she began on a farm independently. But she found it hard and tiring work and after 12 months she returned to Shipley and went back to work at Mason’s as a weft stock clerk. Ruby worked there for the next 18 years.

In 1932 Ruby was living with Lizzie Ann Spencer, a widow, at 18 Belmont Street in Shipley. By 1934 she was back living with her parents at 9 Albert Road in Saltaire. Ruby’s father, Henry, died 26 March 1939.

Just before the beginning of the Second World War Ruby joined the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions). After her training, which included instructions on how to deal with casualties, gas fires, people who panic, and how to use the fire extinguishers, Ruby was detailed to the nearest point to her home underneath Rushworth’s Grocery Shop at 1 Daisy Place in Saltaire. There were about 12 people at this station then but as the war progressed the numbers increased until there were about 30.

Every Sunday morning, the members this team of war workers met to work out a rota for the following week. Every time the sirens went then, they had to man the post. At the post, there were two full-time wardens. Ruby was only on call during the night, and then she would turn out, dressed, with her gas mask, and tin hat, and tour the district. On one occasion she was out touring the district late at night with a gentleman, shortly after the sirens had gone. They were walking up Dove Street, Saltaire at time when men from the Council were busy filling up the tram lines. Motorists were allowed to go without their lights at their own risk. There was a watchman’s hut almost next to the Co-operative shop. All of a sudden, a terrific clatter and bang startled Ruby, but running to investigate she found that it was milk wagon travelling without lights which had collided with the hut and the milk cans had all fallen over the pavement!

The nearest bomb which dropped however was in Heaton Woods, but Ruby and her fellow members of the A.R.P. were always about to give their knowledgeable help if required. Of course, there were the brighter spots to life then, and as she said one just hadn’t to be doleful. She was on call from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and had to start work the following morning. It was cold work.

Ruby left Mason’s in 1942 and she had a short period at Butterfield Tank Manufacturers Shipley, but after a year she moved again, this time to Parkinsons.

In 1945 Ruby was living at 44 Barrett Street Shipley, with Elizabeth Beeley. By 1948 she was back in Saltaire living at 70 George Street with Arthur & Elsie Holder. In 1955 she was living at 5 George Street with Fred Lancaster and Leslie & Sarah Whitaker. From 1956 she lived alone at 99 Festival Avenue in Shipley. Ruby never married.

One of the biggest interests in Ruby’s life was cricket. During WW1 she played for the Saltaire Ladies team and following her spell in the Land Army she joined Blythwick Ladies in the Bradford Ladies’ Evening League.

Ruby, a left arm spinner, was coached by the famous Sydney Barnes who thought very highly of her. She played at both Headingly and Bradford Park Avenue with the Yorkshire Ladies Team.

Once when batting at Saltaire, Ruby thumped a ball that cleared the boundary and hit the statue of Sir Titus Salt on the back of the head. Her best bowling was accomplished away at Brigella Mills where she took four wickets in six balls for no runs.

Another big interest in her life was Gilbert & Sullivan Operas. She did her share of work which was carried out by the Shipley Wesleyan Reform Amateur Operatic Society. In 1955 she was their secretary and had been a committee member since 1952. Although never acting herself Ruby has seen “Trail by Jury” and “Iolanthe” 27 times each, “Yeoman of the Guard” 17 times and the “Mikado” 18 times.

Ruby died in 1973.

 

Arthur Seed was born 8 December 1908 in Burley in Wharfedale to Harry Seed and Hannah Maria Marshall and was baptised, 4 February 1909, in Burley in Wharfedale. In 1911 they were living in Burley in Wharfedale, with Harry working as a bricklayer.

From around 1916 they lived at 24 Helen Street in Saltaire and that is where they remained for the rest of their lives. In 1921 Arthur was a spinner’s doffer working at Saltaire Mills. In 1939 he was a bricklayer’s labourer.

Report in the Shipley Times 15 June 1929: -

AN UNRULY MEMBER

For using abusive language at Shipley on 19 May, Arthur Seed, labourer, Saltaire, who pleaded “guilty,” was fined 40s, by the magistrates at the Bradford West Hiding Court on Thursday. P.C. Smith proved the case.

Arthur served in and survived WW2. He married divorcee Evelyn Ogden (nee Smith) in 1946. Evelyn was born 7 January 1909. They lived at 24 Helen Street until after 1960.

Arthur died in 1966. Evelyn died in 1970. Arthur’s brother, Fred, also served in WW2.

 

Fred Seed was born 14 September 1911in Burley in Wharfedale to Harry Seed and Hannah Maria Marshall. From around 1916 they lived at 24 Helen Street in Saltaire and that is where they remained for the rest of their lives.

Report from the Shipley Times Saturday 27 August 1927: -

GAMING WITH CARDS

Summoned at Bradford West Riding Court Thursday, for gaming with cards , Leonard Hudson, millhand, of Shipley, was fined 20s. and Fred Seed and Leonard Williamson, both Shipley millhands, were each fined 10s.

In 1939, Fred was working as a yarn stock keeper. Fred served in and survived WW2. He died 12 January 1948 at The Sanatorium in Middleton, Ilkley. Fred’s brother, Arthur, also served in WW2.

 

 Fred Sheldon was born, 26 November 1909, in Skipton to Sarah Ann Eastwood and William Sheldon. In 1911 they were living in Skipton, with William working as a lamplighter.

From before 1917 they were lived at 59 George Street, Saltaire, where they remained until 1926 when they moved to 24 Mary Street in Saltaire.

In the 1921 Census, Fred was a pupil at Albert Road School.

Fred was an accomplished boxer. His first reported contest was in August 1924 at a tournament organised by Saltaire Mills. He was the Northern Counties Amateur Bantamweight Champion in 1926/27.

Report in the Shipley Times 25 May 1929 – Otley Police Court -:

A fine of 10s. was imposed on Fred Sheldon, motor driver, Saltaire, for leaving his lorry with the engine running outside a mill in Otley Road, Baildon.

A constable said the lorry was left standing for 10 minutes, but Sheldon contended he was only three minutes, and he could see the lorry the whole time.

Fred married Edith Bain (born 25 February 1909) in 1931. They had three children – Jean born in 1935, William in 1937, and Fred in 1939.

In the 1939 Register they were living in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, with Fred working as a lorry driver.

Fred served in WW2 as a P.T. Instructor in the Royal Army Service Corps. Fred's father, William, and his brother Albert, fought in the WW1. Fred's brother, Robert, fought in WW2.

By 1946 he was living with family at 33 Thompson Street, Shipley.

From around 1949 to after 1960 they were at 31Westroyd Dive, Shipley.

Report in the Shipley Times 21 September 1949: -

Case Against Lorry Driver Dismissed

An accident in Leeds Road, Windhill, had a sequel when Fred Sheldon, 39 years, lorry driver, of Westroyd Drive, Shipley, pleaded " Not guilty” to driving a motor lorry without due care and attention.

Prosecuting, Mr. C. P. Hughes said at 11.25 p.m., 17 July, a motor cyclist was travelling down Leeds Road, Windhill. At the same time a lorry driven by Sheldon, was travelling In the opposite direction.

Sheldon wished to cross the road and turn into Westroyd Road. The motor cyclist ran into the front of the lorry as it turned into Westroyd Road.

Sheldon, it was alleged, was at fault in not allowing the motor cyclist to proceed. He should have waited and passed behind the motor cyclist. Douglas Wright, of Thompson Street, Shipley, the motor cyclist, said he had travelled from Leeds, and after reaching Windhill he could not clearly remember what happened. He could only recollect his awakening in hospital.

Police Sergeant Hollings, who arrived on the scene of the accident shortly afterwards, said the front of the lorry was in Westfield Road. One of its front wheels was on the pavement.

Sheldon in evidence, said there were two cars in the side of the road, before he started to turn. He put out his arm, and he could not see any traffic behind him. The corner into Westroyd Road was difficult to negotiate.

Sheldon said when he started to turn, he could not see any traffic approaching. A few feet from Westroyd Road, he saw the approaching motor cyclist 40 yards away. He swung his lorry to try and give the motor cyclist room to go behind him, and he stopped. The motor cyclist appeared to get into a wobble and hit him.

Sheldon said if he had stopped when he first saw the motor cyclist he would have endangered other traffic.

The case was dismissed.

Fred died in Bradford district in 1988.

 

Robert Sheldon was born, 21 July 1922. at 59 George Street, Saltaire to Sarah Ann Eastwood and William Sheldon. From before 1917 they were living at 59 George Street where they remained until 1926 when they moved to 24 Mary Street in Saltaire. They moved to 49 Hirst Wood Crescent, Shipley, around 1935.

In the 1939 Register, Robert, living with his parents was working as worsted jobber. He served in WW2 as a P.T. Instructor with the R.A.F.

In 1946 he married Hilda Naylor (born 7 February 1923). They had no children. They lived at 4 Titus Street, Saltaire, which was Hilda’s family home.

Robert died in 2001 at 4 Titus Street. In 2011 widow Hilda remained in the house.

Robert's father, William, and his brother Albert, fought in the WW1. Robert's brother, Fred, fought in WW2.

 

Harry Shuttleworth was the son of Arthur Shuttleworth. Arthur was born 22 December 1877. Living at 2 Fern Place, Saltaire, he married Emily Jane Hudson, 2 June 1900, at St. Paul’s. The had at least five children. Arthur worked as a house painter & decorator.

Harry, their eldest child, was born 19 October 1900. He was baptised 25 November 1900 at St. Paul’s Shipley. In 1901 they were living at 47 Victoria Road, Saltaire. They lived at 17 Ferrands Road, Shipley from 1906, moving to 21 (renumbered 41) Albert Road, Saltaire. By 1934 they were living at 53 Albert Road. In the 1939 Register Harry was working as a general labourer. Harry served his country in WW2.

Harry’s father, Arthur, died in 1953. In 1960 unmarried Harry was living with his widowed mother at 53 Albert Road. She died in 1969. Harry died in 1973.

 

Douglas Foch Simpson was the son of Arthur Simpson. Arthur was born, 27 April 1879, in Pateley Bridge. He married Rachel Edwards, 13 November 1897, at St. Paul’s Shipley. They had eight children.

Douglas, the youngest child, was born in 1918, with his parents living at 34 George Street, Saltaire. (Also: Douglas Foch's siblings: John Beck Simpson, and Kate Simpson.)

Report in the Shipley Times 26 November 1938: -

At Bradford West Riding Court on Monday (21 November), Douglas Foch Simpson (19), bricklayer, Shipley, and John Cawley (21). coremaker, Shipley, were charged with having been drunk and disorderly in Shipley on 11 November. Simpson pleaded “Not Guilty,”
PC’s Tindall and Murray gave evidence regarding the prisoners’ conduct in Otley Road. Shipley. They were both drunk and shouting. When requested to go home they both refused and had to be taken to the Shipley Police station.
Inspector Hunter said that prisoners had in their possession some checks which they said they had been raffling for a bottle of beer in a public house, which, however, was denied by the licensee.
The Inspector added that he thought the prisoners had had some cheap beer.
Simpson who denied being drunk, admitted that he had had two pints and a shandy.
A witness called on his behalf said that he was the opinion that Simpson was not drunk.
Replying to Supt. Spires, witness said he could not say that Simpson was sober.
Cawley expressed his sorrow.
The Bench decided to convict, Simpson was fined 10s. and Cawley 18s.

Douglas served in WW2 with the 2nd Marine Regiment, Royal Artillery. He was killed in action, 2 April 1943.

Report in the Shipley Times 19 May 1943: -

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Simpson, of 48 George Street, Saltaire, have been officially notified that their son. Bombardier Douglas Foch Simpson (24) has been reported missing at sea since 2 April.

Before enlistment, Bombardier Simpson was employed as a bricklayer at Messrs. John Moulson and Son.

 

Herbert Simpson was the son of John West Simpson. John was born 1872 in Pateley Bridge. He married Martha Ann Halliday, 20 October 1894, at St. Pauls Shipley. Martha was living at 8 Shirley Street in Saltaire. From 1901 the family lived at 18 Dove Street in Saltaire with John working as a labourer.

Herbert, the youngest of four children, was born, 19 June 1910, in Shipley. He was baptised, 27 July 1910, at St. Peter’s Shipley.

Herbert married Agnes Pennie in 1939. She was born 4 October 1912. In the 1939 Register they were living at 2 Amelia Street, Saltaire, where they remained until after 1960. In 1939 Herbert was a worsted cloth warehouseman at Saltaire Mills and Agnes a burler & mender. Herbert served in WW2.

Report in the Shipley Times 12 May 1943: -

L.A.C. Herbert Simpson, husband of Mrs. Simpson, 2 Amelia Street, Saltaire, volunteered for the R.A.F. three years ago and has been two years in the Middle East.

Formerly he was employed by Messrs. Salts (Saltaire), Ltd., Saltaire Mills. He is keenly interested in short wave radio transmission.

Advert in the Shipley Times 2 April 1947: -

Have your PHOTOGRAPHS COLOURED by

H. SIMPSON, 2 Amelia Street, Saltaire.

Prices: -

Post Card 2/6, Cabinet 5/6, Groups slightly extra 4s.  

Representing the Ratepayers Association, Herbert fought a by-election in the Shipley Central Ward in November 1959.

Report in Shipley Times 11 November: -

Mr. Herbert Simpson, aged 49, lives at 2 Amelia Street, Saltaire. He is chairman of the West Ward committee the Shipley Ratepayers’ Association and the last Council elections assisted Mr. E. S. Hughes, one of the two candidates.

A year ago, in conjunction with a neighbour, Mr. Simpson was instrumental in persuading the Council to develop the waste land in Caroline Street and this work is now nearing completion.

After leaving the Central School Mr. Simpson worked in the mill at Salts (Saltaire) Ltd., and remained there until 1940, when he volunteered for the R.A.F. After five years’ service, he returned to become a dispatch clerk at Henry Mason (Shipley) Ltd., and three years ago he went back to Salts in the same capacity.

Outside his work in local affairs Mr. Simpson is an amateur radio enthusiast, well known in the West Riding under the call-sign G2BXS, and he helped with the radio station in Shipley during the recent shopping week.

Mr. Simpson was married in 1939, and has one daughter Elaine, aged 14, who attends St Joseph’s College. His wife, Agnes, is a keen supporter of the local association, is a member of the West Ward committee and secretary of the St. Walburga’s Union of Catholic Mothers.

Mr. Simpson is convinced that party politics should have no place in Local Government. He feels that the interests of the community in general should be the guiding influence in making decisions affecting that community.

Herbert lost the election to Jack King of the Labour Party. He died in 1984.

Herbert had two older brothers, Arthur Simpson & Harry Redvers Simpson , who served in WW1.

 

It is unclear as to when Jack was born or when he died.

Report in the Bradford Observer 12 September 1940: -

Private Jack Simpson (Black Watch), of 18 Dove Street, Saltaire, was reported (12 September) as a prisoner of war.

Jack was still listed as a prisoner of war in June 1944.

Living at 18 Dove Street, he married Ida Park in June 1946 at St. Peter’s, Shipley. Ida was living at 31 Dove Street. They lived at 18 Dove Street until after 1960.

 

Edward Slinger was the son of Samuel Slinger. Samuel was born 14 October 1898 in Yorkshire. He married Ellen Lythgoe in 1921.

Edward was born 19 May 1921. Edward attended the Saltaire Road Boys school. In 1939 the family were living at 21 Constance Street with Samuel employed as a foreman textile warehouseman and Edward, a butcher’s assistant for the Windhill Co-operative Society in Bingley Road.

Edward served in World War Two as an able seaman in the Royal Navy. Having survived the war by 1953 he was ambulanceman in Shipley.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 1 December 1954 as follows: -

“A useful gift to the Archaeology Museum at the Cartwright Memorial Hall is a beehive quern, found by the donor, Mr Edward Slinger of 21 Constance Street, Saltaire, while repairing a dry wall at Low Mill Farm, Hawkesbury, last week. The quern had formed part of the wall.”

Edward emigrated to Australia in 1956. He left London aboard SS Otranto, 18 April, and arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia 15 May.

 

Harold Slinger was the son of Samuel Slinger. Samuel was born 14 October 1898. He married Ellen Lythgoe (born 19 September 1895) in 1921. By 1926 they were living at 17 Amelia Street. Around 1934 they moved to 21 Constance Street. In 1939 Samuel was working as a textile warehouseman and he was an air raid warden. Samuel died 19 May 1974; Ellen died at the age of 99 in 1995.

Harold was born c1924 in Saltaire. On leaving Saltaire Road School he joined the Navy becoming a leading seaman. In WW2 he served in the “Med” and in the Atlantic on Russian convoy duty.

After the war Harold served in the Shipley Fire Brigade then he worked as an ambulance driver stationed in Shipley. He was a member of Baildon Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Club and Shipley District Working Men’s Club.

Harold went live in Australia in 1956, sailing from Tilbury Docks 18 April aboard the SS Atranto.

 

 

Leslie Slinger was the son of Edward Slinger. Edward was born 12 September 1900. He married Clarice Metcalf (born 3 February 1900) in 1921.

Leslie, the elder of two sons, was born 17 December 1922 in Shipley. In the 1939 Register the family were living at 2 Helen Street, Saltaire, where Edward was a carding grinder and Clarice a box minder.

Leslie was an Ordinary Seaman serving aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Barham, 25 November 1941, in the central Mediterranean when she his hit by torpedoes from the German submarine U331; she exploded and sank in a matter of minutes. Out of a crew of 1,184, 862 lost their lives.

Leslie died on the 25 November 1941 and is remembered on the Naval Memorial in Portsmouth.

 

Mary Margaret Sleep was the daughter of William Henry Sleep. William was born 30 March 1892 in Cumberland. He married Sarah Jane (date of marriage and maiden name unknown).

Mary was born 21 December 1916 in Shipley. In 1939 she was living with her widowed father at 13 Argyle Street in Shipley.

Mary married Charles Alfred Smythers in Lewisham, London 1st Qtr. 1943.

Report from Shipley Times Saturday 8 December 1943 as follows: -
Private Mary Smythers (nee Sleep), 52 Field Street, Shipley, has been serving in the A.T.S. over two years. She was formerly employed as a weaver at Salt’s (Saltaire) Ltd., Saltaire Mills.

After the war Mary lived with her husband in Lewisham. Mary died in London 22 December 2008; Charles died 28 January 2009.

 

James Mortimer Sowman was the son of William Sowman. William was born 18 April 1873 in Colchester, Essex.  He married Alice Callear in 1918 in Bradford.

Edward was born 1923 in Bradford. In 1939 he was living with his parents at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire. He joined the R.A.F. and served in the war as a leading aircraftman. Edward had three brothers who also served in the war; Joseph, James and Jack. In 1944 he met Joseph in Italy.

Edward married Gwendolin Woodward in 1942. They had a daughter, Suzanne, and they lived at 31 Baildon Road in Baildon.

Edward died 26 June 2010 and was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery in Shipley.

 

Jack Sowman was the son of William Sowman. William was born 18 April 1873 in Colchester, Essex.  He married Alice Callear in 1918 in Bradford.

Jack was born 6 July 1924 in Bradford. In 1939 he was living with his parents at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire and he was working as a greengrocer’s assistant.

During the war he served as a driver with the Home Forces. Jack had three brothers who also served in the war; Joseph, James and Edward.

Having survived the war Jack married Edna Watson in 1945 in Scarborough. From 2003 until his death in 2006 Jack lived at 12 Park Street in Scarborough.

 

James Mortimer Sowman was the son of William Sowman. William was born 18 April 1873 in Colchester, Essex.  He married Alice Callear in 1918 in Bradford.

James was born 22 May 1915 in Bradford, three years before his parents were married.

In 1939 James was living with his parents at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire. He was employed by F Wigglesworth & Co Ltd, Clutch Works, Shipley when he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps.

James died 17 May 1942 from wounds he received in Madagascar. He was buried in Stellawood Cemetery in Durban, South Africa.

James had three brothers who also served in the war; Joseph, Edward and Jack.

 

Joseph Gabriel Sowman was the son of William Sowman. William was born 18 April 1873 in Colchester, Essex.  He married Alice Callear in 1918 in Bradford.

Joseph was born 16 May 1917 in Bradford, the year before his parents were married.

In 1939 Joseph was living with his parents at 19 William Henry Street in Saltaire. Joseph joined the Army at the outbreak of the war and her served as a gunner. Joseph had three brothers who also served in the war; James, Edward and Jack.

Joseph met his brother Edward in Italy sometime in 1944. Having survived the war Joseph married Phyliss Mell in 1947. They lived at 7 Marlott Road in Shipley.

Joseph died in 2000 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

 

Frank Spencer was the son of John Edward Spencer. John was born c1881 in Shipley. He married Amy Florence Lancaster 17 December 1910 at St Peter’s Shipley. The family lived at 34 Ada Street in Saltaire.

Frank, their only son with two older sisters, was born 16 August 1916 in Saltaire. John died in 1920.

In July 1935 Frank is reported as passing a group course in carpentry & joinery at Shipley Technical College. In 1939 he was working as a carpenter & joiner and living with his widowed mother at 34 Ada Street. Frank served in WW2.

Report from the Shipley Times 8 December 1943: -

Driver Frank Spencer, son of Mrs and the late Mr J Spencer, 34 Ada Street Saltaire, served his apprenticeship at Messrs Jackson’s (joiners), of Cottingley Bar, and is now in Persia, where he has been for over two years.

His mother died 12 January 1962. In her will she left him £777 7s 5d. Frank died 19 September 1991 in Keighley.

 

Ernest Arthur Stone was born in 1904 in Millom, Cumberland to Lousia Mitchell & Arthur Stone. Both parents were born in St. Austell, Cornwall. In 1911 they were living in Millom, where Arthur worked as a miner. He died 23 October 1920.

In the 1921 Census, Ernest was living with his mother and siblings at 2 Edward Street, Saltaire. He worked as a shop minder at Saltaire Mills. His sisters, Doris Ellen, and Gladys Merrifield, also worked in the mill. By 1926 he was living at 21 Constance Street, Saltaire.

He married Maggie Thompson, 24 December 1930, at St. Peter’s, Shipley. In 1932 they were living at 34 Helen Street, Saltaire. They had a daughter, Jean Louie, born in 1933.

Ernest served in WW2 whilst his family were living at 13 Edward Street, Saltaire. His wife, Maggie, died in 1942. Ernest lived at 16 Edward Street, Saltaire, from 1951 to 1954.

In 1958 he was living at 13 Melbourne Street, Shipley, with his married daughter Jean Louie Smith and her family.

Living at 15 Upper Green, Baildon, Ernest died, 14 July 1963, at St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford. In his will he left £1,140 3s.