Died
21 December 1939
Aged 64 yrs
Born
19 September 1875
Sources
Ancestry
North Western Daily Mail
Mike Warhurst
Place
Walks
Themes
Sidney Warhurst
Mike Warhurst contacted me, as an exiled Ulverstonian living in Wigan, with some information about his grandfathers, both buried in Ulverston Cemetery. His paternal grandfather, Sidney Warhurst, owned the ironmongers shop on King Street and was a councillor for many years. He was also the Chairman of the Urban District Council for about 5 years just prior to the Second World War and was a member of the local Freemasons lodge.
Picture of Sidney Warhurst (above) courtesy of Mike Warhurst
IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
FRANCIS WARHURST
OF GLENSIDE, ULVERSTON
WHO DIED APRIL 8TH 1908
ALSO MARY, WIDOW OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED DECEMBER 26TH 1908
“AT REST”
ALSO OF SIDNEY WARHURST, THEIR SON
WHO DIED DEC 21ST 1939
AGED 64 YEARS
ALSO MARGARET JOHNSTON WARHURST
WHO DIED JULY 8TH 1946
AGED 70 YEARS
The North Western Daily Mail 22 December 1939 reported his death:
ULVERSTON’S GREAT LOSS
DEATH OF COUNCILLOR SIDNEY WARHURST
Ulverston has received a severe blow by the death of one of its most prominent townsmen, Coun. Sidney Warhurst, which occurred today at his residence, Glenside, Ulverston, after a comparatively short illness.
The news will be received with widespread regret, for the late Mr. Warhurst was a public-spirited gentleman who had served the town and its people faithfully for many years and held the keenest desire for its welfare. In the civic, business, and social life of the town his stalwart figure was outstanding, and few men in recent years have left so vivid an imprint of personality on the various sections of Ulverston’s life.
OUTSTANDING FIGURE.
The son of Mr. Francis Warhurst, (who founded the well-known business which still bears the name in King-street, and of which Mr. Sidney Warhurst was the head), he was educated at Heversham Grammar School, and speedily became an outstanding figure in the business life of the town and district, where his cheery personality and sterling qualities made him a wide circle of friends.
Actuated by a strong public spirit, his work in many sections of the town’s activities will be long remembered. Long and notable service to the Ulverston Urban District Council included four years as chairman (1934-5-6-7) and for many years he was chairman of the Gas, Water and Fire Brigade Committee, the success of that undertaking due in no small measure to his ability. He was tireless in his efforts to attract new industries to the town, and to advance its prestige.
MANY-SIDED ACTIVITIES
It would be almost impossible to enumerate all his connections with the various phases of the town’s life.
A prominent Freemason, he was an officer of the Grand Lodge of England; Past Master of the Furness Lodge, 995; Past Z of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter, and a number of other degrees.
During the last war he was a member of the V.T.C.,[1] and became Company Sergeant-Major of the Ulverston Company.
The late Mr. Warhurst was a Group Leader of the Mobile Section of the Special Constabulary.
He was prominently identified with Holy Trinity Church. A vice-president of the Conservative Association, he was also a member of the Committee of the British Legion for many years, and was afterwards made a vice-president, also closely connected with numerous other organisations in the town, including Ulverston Equitable Building Society, of which he was chairman.
To his wife and three sons widespread sympathy will be extended in their bereavement.
[1] Volunteer Training Corps
His funeral was reported in the North-Western Daily Mail 27 December 1939:
THE LATE COUNCILLOR WARHURST
STRIKING TRIBUTES AT ULVERSTON[1]
Every section of life was represented at the funeral service at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, which preceded the interment of Coun. Sidney Warhurst, of Glenside, whose death removed one of the leading figures in the town. The Rev. H.S. Betts, M.A., the Rev. Sexton (Liverpool), and the Rev. J.S. Rimmer, M.A., officiated, and the choir, under Mr. A. Thompson, L.R.A.M.[2], led the singing in an impressive service.
The principal mourners were: Mr. Marshal Warhurst, Mr. John Warhurst, sons; Miss Warhurst, aunt; Mr. and Mrs. Harper (Grange), Mr. and Mrs. E. Warhurst, Mrs. Brockbank, Mrs. Benson, Miss Benson, Cousins; Mr. W.V. Crosby (Long Martin), Mr. Roberts (Barrow Steelworks), Mr. Armstrong (Penrith), and Miss Booth (Broom House).
There follows a very long list of mourners; civic representatives; British Legion reps.; Masonic Brethren with their long titles, and others made up of the business people of the town.
[1] Though the paper doesn’t report any!
[2] Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music
Ancestry tells us the following:
1939 Register for England & Wales
1939 Register for England & Wales, living at Glenside, Ulverston were:
- Warhurst, Sidney Dob 19 Sept 1875 Iron & Steel and Builders Merchant
- Warhurst, Margaret J Dob 25 Feb 1876 Unpaid domestic duties.
- Warhurst, Frank M. Dob 25 May 1905 Manager Iron & Steel and Builders Merchant
- Warhurst, John Dob 15 June 1909 Foreman Engineer Gun Dept.
A passenger manifest for HMS Antony [This should be SS. The Antony became a troopship and was torpedoed off Ireland in 1917. wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?134779 and bluestarline.org/booth/antony1.html] (Booth Steamship Company) for 9th July 1914 has a Sidney Warhurst, iron merchant, and his wife Margaret boarding at Leixoes (Porto) and disembarking at Liverpool. The ship had come from Brazil, and called at Madeira, Portugal, Spain and France.
1911 Census
The 1911 Census places them at the same place. Wife Margaret’s middle name is identified at Johnston, and she was born in Berwick on Tweed. Sidney’s occupation is listed as an Ironmonger (Shopkeeper). The children are Frank Marshall Warhurst (5); Ernest (4); John (1). There are also three servants living with them:
- Annie Ormandy single age 20 Housemaid, born in Ulverston.
- Emily Clarke single age 21 Cook, born Pennington
- Hannah Kendal single age 20 Nurse, born Kirkby in Furness.
1901 Census
In the 1901 Census he is living at Glenside with his parents Francis (54) retired ironmonger, and Mary (64), born in Chorley. He is an ironmonger on his own account. There is also a General Domestic Servant, Ellen Knight (26), born in Kirkby in Furness.
1891 Census
At the time of the 1891 Census he was a Boarder at Heversham School, Milnthorpe.
1881 Census
In the 1881 Census he is living with his parents at 69 Albion Place, Ulverston, aged 5; along with his cousin Margaret A. Warhurst (17) and a servant, Ruby/Beby (?) Mae Millan (19).
Photo of Francis Warhurst from Mackereth’s Furness Yearbook 1909
There is a picture of Warhurst’s of King Street at francisfrith.com/ulverston/
