IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ROBERT BALFOUR
BORN JUNE 15TH 1845,
DIED SEPTEMBER 23RD 1910.

To which has been added:

ALSO SARAH HIS WIFE,
BORN DECEMBER 25TH 1845,
DIED  AUGUST 4TH 1917.

On the right hand side is a commemoration of his  son, Major Robert Wilson Balfour, who died in France in 1918 after an operation, and who has a separate page on this website.

Advert from the Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser 18 January 1869. Although living in Pemberton he had already established a business in Barrow, selling coal from Wigan, Pemberton and the surrounding coalfield.

1871 Census

In the 1871 Census Robert Balfour is back living with his birth family on Winstanley Road, Pemberton. The household is William Balfour (54) Book Keeper, born Wigan. Lancs; wife Margaret Balfour (47) born Caton; Robert Balfour (25) Coal Agent, born Manchester; Meary (sic) Balfour (23) no occupation recorded, born Chorley; Dorotha (sic) Balfour (19) no occupation recorded, born Pemberton; Edward Balfour (17) Fitter in Iron Foundry, born Pemberton; John Balfour (13) Scholar, born Pemberton; David Balfour (11) Scholar, born Pemberton; Margaret Balfour (8) Scholar, born Pemberton; Jane Alice Balfour (2), born Pemberton; and Ellen Balfour (2) born Pemberton.
 
Robert Balfour married Sarah Ann Hargreaves in the Parish Church, Kendal on the 22 February 1872.

DEATHS OF PROMINENT BARROVIANS (X 3)

MR. R. BALFOUR, J.P.

GOES FOR A WALK AND DROPS DEAD

We very much regret to announce the death of Mr. R. Balfour, J.P., of “Chetwynde”, Abbey-road, Barrow, which occurred with painful suddenness on Friday night week (sic)

The deceased gentleman was in his usual health during the day, having attended to his business, and was in v ery good spirits. About ten on Friday evening went out on to the front of the house for a stroll and he was not seen again alive. He evidently having had a sudden seizure and expired immediately.

He was found lying on the ground by one of his sons, and seemed to be dead then. The deceased gentleman was 66 years of age. He had for many years carried on a successful business as a coal merchant. Mr. Balfour was one of the oldest inhabitants of the borough, and was a member of the Barrow School Board for 21 or 22 years, whilst he had been a member of the Borough Bench since 1893. He leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter to mourn his loss.

The late Mr. Balfour was a regular attendant at the Christ Church United Methodist, Abbey-road. Of which he has been a trustee from the time it was built, and to the funds of which he was a generous supporter.

Much sympathy from all over the district is expressed with the widow and family in their sudden and very sad bereavement.

We understand that Mr. Balfour has been under medical treatment for about two? years for heart trouble.

There follows a lengthy tribute from the Borough Magistrates, followed by this report of Rev. W. D.Gunstone’s tribute at the funeral:

IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL

… (held at the Christ Church Methodist Church, Abbey Road, later destroyed in the Barrow Blitz of 1941 - RMW)

We meet today to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. R. Balfour, known to all present, and intimately related to some in our midst. His removal – so sudden, and therefore so beneficial and painless to him; so sudden, and therefore so startling and heavy to those associated with him, - his removal is a loss to many interests and individuals. I will not dwell upon the loss that the town has sustained. That was fittingly and tastefully expressed by the Mayor on Monday. I will confine my remarks on this occasion to his presence and usefulness in another sphere of activity – that which this service and this building suggest. His removal is a loss to the religious life and enterprises of this town. It is a loss to this church. Almost from its erection he was associated, and for a generation of years he has continued his interest and service. But although a member here, and anxious for the success of this church and taking an interest in connexional (sic) matters, he was not a sectarian, He was a true Catholic, and claimed membership with the Holy Catholic Church, and therefore had an interest in its various sections. He recognised that the parts were smaller than the whole, and that sections need not be antagonistic and contrary, but integral portions; and therefore because interested in the whole, each part claimed and received his aid. When staying in the country far from his own community, he unhesitatingly attended the Anglican Church, worshipping in spirit through its forms, and receiving its benedictions. The Salvation Army Barracks are near enough to this church to appear to some to menace its interests: but Mr. Balfour recognised as we do that we here have no interests but what are embraced within the work of the Salvation Army, and, therefore, he subscribed towards its erection. I was proud and thankful to see his name on the list. It was an evidence of the catholicity which should characterise our conception and attitude. But great as the loss is to this town, it is small compared to what it is to his family. To them was given a concentration of his interest, wisdom and affection. Our loss, therefore, is small compared with theirs. I know somewhat the pain and strain of this day and this service to them, and therefore I will not dwell on this aspect of the event, excepting to remark that it must be some consolation to them to see and know that he that they loved had won a high place in the esteem and affection of others; and that long after these flowers have faded, his memory to us as well as to them will be fragrant and stimulating. All we can do is to pray that a comfort and a direction greater than what we can offer may be given to them from Him whose grace is ever available for the needy and the sorrowing.

There follows a description of the graveside service, and a long list of mourners, starting with the councillors of Barrow, the magistrates and other dignitaries, followed by the family members, and a list of floral tribute donors.