1922-1923 and 1925-1926, William Collier, Mayor of Leigh

1922-1923 and 1925-1926, William Collier, Mayor of Leigh

William Collier was born in Leigh in 1881 to middle class parents, his father John Joseph Collier was an engineer. William was educated at St Joseph’s School and continued further studies at Leigh Technical School where he got his certificates for engineering. He got a first class certificate for advanced machine construction and drawing when he was just 15 years old. He worked at Mather Lane mills when he was 11 however when he was 15 he started to learn baking with Mr R Spencer, Chapel Street, Leigh. After two years of learning he became a master baker in High Street where he started his business of W, Collier, Ltd., “Duva” Bakery, Leigh.

He became mayor of Leigh in 1922 and during his time as mayor he started a movement for a holiday camp for poor children of Leigh at Prestatyn which opened in 1924. He also took 50 children in motor charabancs to Rivington for a day outing and he was responsible for the better railways facilities for Leigh. He became a magistrate in 1924 after his time as mayor was up, however in 1926 he was elected as mayor again.

William was well known in sports as he was a director of the Leigh Football Club, president of the Leigh and District Rugby League and the president of the Leigh and District Institutes’ Billiards League. He also held several other positions outside of sport as he was the presidential-elect of the National Association of Master Bakers and Confectioners; he was the Liberal member for Lilford Ward and was also the chairman of the library committee. During his time as the chairman of the library committee he played an important part in getting the open access system adopted in the public library service.

William married twice; his marriage was to Miss Margaret Whittle they were married at the Church of the Holy Family, Platt Bridge. His second marriage was to Miss Bertha Birchall who he married in May 1921.

William died at the age of 78 in 1960 at Llandudno Hospital; his funeral took place at St Joseph’s church and Leigh cemetery. A large number of people were present at the funeral including the mayor and mayoress of Leigh several Aldermen and the town clerk.

Written by Simon Williamson

References

Biographical cuttings – William Collier, Leigh Local Studies