1939-1940, Albert Christian Fairhurst, Mayor of Wigan

ALBERT CHRISTIAN FAIRHURST

Mayor of Wigan 1939-1940

Born: 1^st January 1877, Wigan

Baptised: 1^st March 1877  Holy Trinity, Ashton

Parents: Thomas and Catherine Fairhurst

Siblings: Ada Selina (1875) Maud Helena (1879 died 1880) Rosa Caroline (1883) James William(1886)

Married: Catherine Tierney 17^th January, 1898, St. Thomas’ Church, Wigan Children:  May Fairhurst (1899), Annie Fairhurst (1901), Leah Fairhurst (1902), Albert Christian Fairhurst (1904), Gertrude Beatrice Fairhurst (1906), Hilda Fairhurst (1908), Clarice Fairhurst (1911), Inez Fairhurst (1912 died 1914) Marian Fairhurst (1914), Inez Fairhurst (1916)

Died:  17^th December, 1948, General Hospital in Rochford, Essex

Buried: 22^nd December 1948, Douglas Parish Church, Parbold

Albert Christian Fairhurst was born in 1877, his baptism certificate gives his address as Simms Lane End, Ashton, his father’s occupation Weigh Clerk.   He lived with his parents Thomas and Catherine, and was their second child, with Ada being born in 1876. In 1885, at the age of 8, Albert began his connection with the grocery trade by working as an errand boy.  In 1891, he joined the Wigan Rolling Mills company as a drawer down. In between 1891 and 1898, Albert changed jobs, as he joined the railway service; firstly as a point cleaner.

In 1898, he married Catherine Tierney of 9 Taylor St, Wigan, they lived at 28 Taylor St after marriage.  On the couple’s marriage certificate, Albert’s job is given as a railway signalman, indicating he got a promotion from being a point cleaner.

In the 1901 census, the family’s address was 68 Prescott St, Wigan, he was living   there with his wife 1 year old daughter May and Annie Tierney a boarder. 

Unfortunately Inez and Marian, with the latter being born in 1914, both died in 1914, they are buried  together in Wigan Cemetery.  One more daughter  was born in 1916,who was named Inez.  The 1911 census shows the family,living at 125 Great George St, Wigan.

On 11^th December 1926, the Wigan Observer published an article concerning Albert’s election to as President of the Wigan Grocers Association.  The article states that he was a member of St. Thomas’ church, Wigan. It also states that he was Chairman of the House Committee The article also states that he was vice president of the Wigan Mesnes Park Bowling Club; he was vice president of the Amateur Bowling Association whilst also being a member and director of the Wigan Subscription Bowling Club Ltd.

On 14^th May 1928, Fairhurst was invested as president of the Wigan and District Grocers Association. He was the first president to wear the presidential chain of office. In 1928, Councillor Fairhurst was unanimously re-elected as president of the Wigan and District Grocers Association and Provision Dealers Association at the Annual General Meeting.

On 23^rd November 1935, Councillor Fairhurst was appointed Deputy Mayor of Wigan. 

In November, 1939 Wigan Mayoral Selection Committee decided that Councillor A.C. Fairhurst J.P. Conservative member for St. Andrew Ward since 1921, should be elected Mayor in succession to Alderman  Thomas Ramsden. According to an arrangement between the two parties in the Council it was the turn of a Conservative to hold office.

Before the formation of the Public  Assistance Committee Albert was a member of the old Board of Guardians and according to newspaper reports was an authority on Poor Law.

Religion played a big part in Albert’s life, a life long parishioner of St. Thomas’s Church and a member of the Parochial Church Council which he  represented on the Liverpool Diocesan Conference.   

Having left school at only 12 years old Councillor Fairhurst appreciated the benefits of education and for 8 years attended evening classes. In later life he was a member of the governing body of Wigan Grammar School and was foundation manager of St Thomas’s School.

Other interests include memberships of Wigan Subscription Bowling Club and Wigan Rugby Football Club and a Magistrate.

Whilst visiting friends in Rochford, Essex, Albert died aged 71 years, on 17^th December, 1948 he was buried on 22^nd December at Douglas Parish Church, Parbold. The service was conducted by Reverend J.F. Gerard at St Thomas’s Church, Wigan

Obituary Wigan Observer 20^th December, 1948

Nathan Swift