The picture of Mr. J. W. Chadwick is from the Barrow News 9 February 1929.

MRS. CHADWICK, wife of Mr. J. W. Chadwick, chief clerk in the Town Clerk’s Department at Barrow, died at her residence, 30, Furness Park-road, early on Thursday morning. Mrs. Chadwick took a keen and sympathetic interest in various organisations of a religions and philanthropic character in the town until laid aside with illness a few years ago, which unfortunately deprived her of her sight. Her great affliction however was borne with Christian fortitude. Much sympathy will go out to Mr. Chadwick and their family in their bereavement.

LATE MRS. J. W. CHADWICK

LARGELY ATTENDED FUNERAL AT BARROW

The funeral of the late Mrs. J. W. Chadwick, wife of Mr. J. W. Chadwick, of the Town Clerk’s Department at Barrow, took place on Sunday morning, and was largely attended. The deceased lady was at one time an officer in the Salvation Army, and the band attended and played the Dead March.

The chief mourners were Mr. J. W. Chadwick, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Chadwick, junr. (eldest son and daughter-in-law); Mr. Victor Chadwick (son); Misses Bessie and Doris Chadwick (daughters), Mrs. Hartley (sister); Mr. and Mrs. D. Hindmarsh (brother and sister-in-law); Mr. and Mrs. A. Thornton (sister and brother-in-law); Mr., Mrs. and Miss Bond (brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece), and Miss Wallcroft, Swansea.

Others attending included Commandant and Mrs. Gellatly, Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Batson, Mr. T. Gardiner, J.P., Mr. J. Hogkinson, Mr. Coun. Clamp, J.P., Mr. W. Ireland, Mr. G. Timms, Mr. H. A. Hingston (Ulverston), Mr. C. E. C. Ralph, B.A., F.R.G.S. (Ulverston), Capt. H. S. Mills, Messrs. S. W. Paitson, G. Baird and Green (representing the Y.M.C.A), Messrs. S. Downing and J. Carter (representing the Town Clerk’s staff), Mr. J. T. Kelly, Mr. E. Firth, Mr. W. K. Sawrie, Messrs. W. Cross, F.R.G.S., A. E. Timmins, F.C.S., W.F. Tyson (Windsor, Canada), H. Clamp, J. Bryan, W. E. Quirk, R. Batson, W. Mitchell, H. Reid, also a large number of representatives of the Forshaw-street Church, of which Mrs. Chadwick was a member, and of the Women’s Guild, of which she was president.

Numerous floral tributes were received from relatives and personal friends, and included those from Holker-street Infants’ School staff, Women’s Guild and Forshaw-street Church, Town Clerk’s staff, officers and soldiers of Salvation Army, and the Winnipeg Forestry Department (Canada). The service was conducted by the Rev. T. A. Young, Primitive Methodist Minister, assisted by Commandant Gellatly, Salvation Army. The former also conducted a memorial service at Forshaw-street Church on Sunday evening.

Sensation at Barrow

DEPUTY TOWN CLERK FOUND DROWNED

TRAGIC END TO LONG AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER

A profound sensation was created in Barrow on Tuesday by the discovery of the body of Mr. J. W. Chadwick, Deputy Town Clerk, in the High Service Reservoir. The deceased, who was 67 years of age, had been at work as usual up to Thursday of last week. He had suffered from depression more or less since the death of his wife, two years ago.

He went to Canada in June of last year to visit his son, being granted three months leave of absence by the Corporation. Some time after his return he suffered from nervous breakdown, and since November last he had not been able to attend his municipal duties as formerly, but had been at his office for part of each working day until Thursday of last week.

Mr. Chadwick left his home, 30, Furness Park-road, on Monday at 11.30, but did not turn up at the office. He was afterwards reported missing, and after a search his body was discovered in the reservoir, Thorncliffe-road, shortly after two o’clock on Tuesday.

The late Mr. Chadwick was born in Wigan, and was brought to Barrow when a boy. He was for a time employed at the old BARROW TIMES office, where his father was employed as reader, etc. He was only 13 years of age when he entered the municipal service and remained in that employ for 54 years. He was instrumental in starting the old folks’ treat on New Year’s Day 33 years ago, and this event has been continued by each successive Mayor ever since.

Mr. Chadwick took a keen interest in all sorts of social welfare work. He was a devout member of the Primitive Methodist Church and a local preacher for a number of years.

The deceased was a very conscientious and faithful official, and was always courteous and obliging, and was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends. He leaves a family of three sons and two daughters. One son, John Wm. Chadwick, is now supervisor of the Welfare Department and Juvenile Employment Officer at Halifax, and another son, Ernest, is in the Canadian Civil Service, while the third son is engaged in the motor industry at Wolverhampton. One of his daughters is a school teacher at Holker-street, and the other is at home.

INQUEST AND VERDICT

“DROWNED HIMSELF WHILST TEMPORARILY INSANE”

TRIBUTES BY CORONER AND TOWN CLERK

An inquest was held on Tuesday afternoon by Coroner F. W. Poole, and the Town Clerk (Mr. R. R. H. Meggeson) was amongst those present.

Evidence of identification was given by Doris Chadwick, deceased’s daughter. Her father, she said, was 67 years of age, and was Deputy Town Clerk at Barrow. Since October last her father had suffered from nerves, and had been under the care of Dr. Reed, who saw him last on Friday February 1st. The deceased had not been at his office since January 31st, the doctor having ordered him to rest. He came downstairs at about 8.30 a.m. on Monday, and said:- “I have had a bad night, I have hardly slept at all.” He stayed in the house all the morning, and appeared to be in his usual state of health. At 11.15 a.m. he left the house stating that he was going for a walk before dinner, and witness did not see him again.

William Edwards, a foreman gravedigger employed by the Corporation, said about 11.30 a.m. on Monday he was working in the borough cemetery when he saw deceased walking along the main drive. Witness said “Good morning, sir,” but deceased made no reply, and continued to walk along the main drive in the direction of his wife’s grave. He looked at the grave, and then walked along the main drive as if to leave the cemetery.

Sergt. Riseley, of the Borough Police, stated that at 2.15 a.m. on that day in company with P.C. Cocking he went to the Corporation reservoir, off Thorncliffe-road. He had some information that Mr. Chadwick was missing, and on the north-west side of the reservoir he saw the body lying face downwards at the bottom of the reservoir in about five feet of water. The body was fully dressed, with the exception of a trilby hat, which was found 40 yards away. On searching the body, witness found a watch which had stopped at 2.30.

In reply to the Coroner, Miss Chadwick said her father had been attended by Dr. Reed for nerves since the middle of October.

The Coroner said he found that deceased drowned himself whilst temporarily insane. He was particularly sorry to have to hold an enquiry into the death of a very old friend. He had known Mr. Chadwick for more years than one cared to number, and he was sure the Corporation had lost a very efficient official. When he heard of the news that morning it gave him quite a shock. One could only wonder what had caused a gentleman such as Mr. Chadwick to take his own life. They had heard at that enquiry that deceased was suffering from nerve trouble for the past few months. He was certain that the Town Clerk would agree that the Corporation and the people of Barrow had lost a most efficient servant. “I find,” concluded the Coroner, “that Mr. Chadwick unfortunately, whilst temporarily insane, took his own life by drowning himself in the reservoir.”

The Town Clerk said he was glad of the opportunity of supporting the Coroner’s tribute to Mr. Chadwick. If the Council had known the previous night of the painful happening into which the Coroner had just enquired he felt sure they would have instructed him to express on their behalf, as he did on behalf of himself, the whole of the Corporation staff, more especially those in his own department, the profound regret which they felt at the sad end which had overtaken Mr. Chadwick and brought to a close a long and honourable career in public service. Mr. Chadwick during the past two years had been a valued colleague and an efficient deputy to him, and an esteemed personal friend. On behalf of the Mayor, the Aldermen and Councillors, the whole of the Corporation staff, and he could safely say the whole of the townspeople, he tendered their sincere sympathy with the family.

There follows a long account of the funeral and a list of the mourners.

SUNDAY EVENING SERVICE AT THE WORKHOUSE—"One of the best yet held!” to use the words of an inmate, was the service held on Sunday last at the Workhouse. A good attendance of officers and inmates, added to by a goodly company of friends and well-wishers from outside, enjoyed thoroughly the splendid singing, reciting and speaking provided, and it is indisputable that impressions were made during the service not easily to be removed. Mr Morrall presided, supported by Mr Docker, who led in the devotions, and Mr J. W. Chadwick. Miss Harding, the possessor of a fine voice, sang very sweetly “Life, the Organist.” Miss Bessie Chuawick and Miss Doris Chadwick, two little dots, literally took the place by storm in the two recitations they gave, vis., “Nothing to do,” and “A Mother's first grief.” Miss Boyde, always a welcome visitor, gave in her own inimitable style a well known but ever favourite recitation, “Searching for the Golden Street.” Mr J. W. Chadwick, jun, who had evidently made an impression at a former service a short time ago, was heartily welcomed when called upon to sing, as he did with taste and judgment, his solo, “Thora.” Miss Maud Commissiong, also a welcome visitor, sang & very beautiful solo, “The Blind girl to her harp.” The Chairman then introduced as the speaker for the evening, Mr J. W. Chadwick, who gave an interesting address, which was brimful of sympathy, practical and helpful, taking as his subject, “Who is my neighbour.” based on the story of the Good Samaritan. The speaker and all who had taken part in the service had every indication given that s warm welcome would surely be theirs whenever they cared to visit in the future, and take a part in the service, such a part as they had taken that night. Miss Daisy Commissiong rendered splendid service as a very capable and efficient accompanist of the singers, whilst Mr E. C. Williams, as from the beginning of the services, led the congregational singing, accompanying on the organ.

SILVER WEDDING CELEBRATIONS AT BARROW.

To Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Chadwick, of 30, Furness Park-road, Barrow, are to be offered hearty felicitations on the occasion of their silver wedding, which they celebrated on Wednesday last. Mr. Chadwick came to Barrow from Stockport in 1871, and on February 21st, 1887, was married at the Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church, Stockport, by the Rev. Thomas Richards, F.S., B.A., to Miss Lizzie Hindmarsh, of Prudhoe, Durham. In 1876 Mr. Chadwick entered the services of the late Mr. C. F. Preston, then town clerk of this borough, and eleven years later—the year of his marriage —was appointed to the chief assistant town clerkship, a position which he still holds. As a public man, Mr. Chadwick's career in Barrow has been a very useful and pregnant one, and he has proved himself a worthy citizen. He was founder of the Barrow P.S.A., and whilst president of this organisation, which office he held for seven years, it was at his suggestion that the children's free breakfasts and the old folks' treat were inaugurated, these functions still being yearly given. Mr. Chadwick is a prominent Nonconformist, being associated with the Forshaw-street Primitive Methodist Church, whilst he has been closely identified with several public organisations in the town. For the second time he is chairman of the Barrow Y.M.C.A. Committee, and up to a month ago was chairman of the Barrow and District Local Government Officers' Association, a capacity in which he officiated for the first four years of the association's existence, being vice-chairman at the present time. During the periods of distress that the town has undergone both Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick were prominent workers, and spared no effort to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed. When the country was in the throes of the Durham coal strike, by which the local industries were seriously affected, Chadwick was secretary of the Barrow Distress Committee, being ably backed up by the indefatigable efforts of his wife. During the recent period of distress Mr. Chadwick was secretary to the Central District Relief Committee. His father, Mr. Samuel Chadwick, was also well known in the town, being connected for many years with the Barrow Press. Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick, who have a family of three sons and three daughters, were the recipients of a host of congratulations, both by letter and telegram, and numerous presents. In honour of the occasion, a reception was held at the Lyric Hall, on Wednesday evening, and was attended by a large company of friends. The room had been tastefully decorated by Mr. Bryan- Holmes, and presented a homely and inviting appearance. The following admirable programme of music and song was rendered and heartily appreciated: Pianoforte solo, Miss Lily Thomas; songs, Mr. G. Ashworth; "Do Dreams Come True," Miss B. Chadwick; "Because," Mr. F. B. Griffiths; "My Kingdom," Miss Harding; stump speech, "Politics Extraordinary," Mr. G. Ashworth; songs, Miss Kate Gilfillan; Mr. G. Baker; "Come sing to me," Mr. J. W. Chadwick, jun.; Mr. G. Ashworth; "It was a dream," Miss Kate Gilfillan; Scotch reel, Miss Doris Chadwick. The accompanists were Miss Bond and Miss L. Thomas. Parlour games were also indulged in, and at the interval supper was served. The company dispersed about 'midnight. after a most enjoyable and successful time.

The refurbished grave Dec 2025