Wigan and Leigh Archives Online

1947 November - 1949 May, Edward Maloney, Mayor of Wigan

Edward Maloney

Mayor of Wigan Nov., 1947 – May,1949

 

Born: 2ndJuly, 1906

Died: 6th February, 1998

Parents: Mathew Maloney and Agnes Bramwell

Married: Beatrice Finch 1938 at St. Andrew’s, Wigan

Children: Edward and Eileen

Edward, 41 years of age was the youngest Mayor in Wigan’s mayoral history since Francis John Pagett, 1921-1922. He had the distinction of serving 18 months in office rather than the traditional 12, the mayoral year was changed mid-office and it was decided to let him continue.

Born Caunce Street, Scholes, attended St. John’s School until the age of 13, conflicting newspaper reports record that after leaving school he became a labourer in the brass foundry at Pepper Mill.  Afterwards he become an agent for the Royal London Mutual Insurance Society. He joined the Labour Party at the age of 18.

An unsuccessful attempt to become a Councillor was made in 1932 in All Saints Ward. “Ted” was elected for the first time in 1933 for St George’s Ward.

World War 2 he saw service in the Royal Corps of Military Police stationed in Lincoln.

 

Events as Mayor of Wigan

During his 18 month service as Mayor, he had held meetings concerning the opening of cinemas and running bus services in Wigan on Sundays.

22nd November 1947, he congratulated Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark on their marriage.

March 1948, officially opened Wigan Little Theatre.

April 1948, welcomed attendees from Germany, France, Holland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark and Norway to Wigan for International Youth Week.

26th April 1948, wished King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth a happy Silver Wedding Anniversary.

May 1948, attended the celebration dinner of Wigan Rugby League Club after winning the Challenge Cup for the first time in 19 years by beating Bradford Northern 8 pts to 3pts.

July 1948, attended the funeral of Harry Lawrenson Platt, Chairman of Wigan Rugby Football Club.

September 1948, he appeared on the BBC programme “Have A Go, Joe”.

14th November 1948, congratulated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the birth of Prince Charles

December 1948, a donation to the Christmas Hospitals Appeal.

His mayoral role ended in May 1949, where he was succeeded by John Edward Riley.

Events after Mayor of Wigan

1949, appointed magistrate for the Wigan Borough Magistrates’ Court.

1952, made Alderman.

1967, made a Freeman of Wigan County Borough.

1973, praised by Ethel Naylor (the Mayor of Wigan from 1972 - 1973) for his 40 year service with the Wigan Town Council. She called him “a man of achievement”.

The re-organisation of local government in 1974 brought Ted’s retirement from politics, he and his wife spent most of their married life living in Norfolk Street, Springfield. His sporting interests were Rugby League and Crown Green Bowling being a member of Bellingham Club.

Ted Maloney died after a short illness in Wigan on 6th February,1998 at the age of 91 (a few months short of his 92th birthday) He was cremated at Wigan Crematorium.

 

Wigan Observer 8/11/1947 p5

Wigan Observer 9/03/1973 p11

Wigan Observer 11/02/1999 p5

 Jak Taberner Volunteer

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