William Shallicker Chairman of Aspull Urban District Council 1954/55
Elected Chairman 21 May 1954
b 1890 Wigan
Parents: William Shallicker, collier, and Mary
m 1911 at St Catharine’s Wigan, to Selina, daughter of James Heyes, collier
children: Three sons, One daughter. One son died in infancy.
d 1963 at Aspull, Selina died 1974 in Aspull.
William Shallicker was born in 1890 in Scholes, Wigan. His parents William, a coal hewer, and Mary, were living in Vauxhall Road in 1891 and later moved to Caunce Street. William followed his father and brother working in the coal mines.
In 1911 William married Selina, daughter of James Heyes, a collier, at St Catharine’s Church in Scholes, Wigan. Their first child was born in 1911 but died aged 4 months.
In April 1913 William enlisted with the Lancaster Regiment Labour Corp at Newton-le-Willows, following the outbreak of War, on 5 August 1914 he transferred to the 5th Manchester Regiment rising through the ranks from private to Sergeant in January 1916. In February 1917 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch), he was posted in July 1917 (the record does not state whereto) and promoted to Company Sergeant Major for a short period.
The record gives his height as five feet 7 inches, weight 150 pounds, girth 38 inches with a sallow complexion. The records do not show that William saw service overseas, however they do state that he was gassed on 9 April 1918.
In November 1918 he was discharged at Liverpool – transferred to the reserve for coal mining purposes. There was a shortage of miners at this time which led to former coal miners being granted early discharge to return to work in the mines. William’s employer is given as Crompton & Sha[cross]? of Hindley.
In July 1921 William signed up for the 5th Manchester Territorial Reserve for three years, extending his service in 1924 and finally being discharged in 1931.
William Shallicker was a Labour member of Aspull Urban District Council representing East Ward. He served as Chairman of the Highways and Lighting Committee, manager of Aspull C. E. School and as a member of the Borsdane Wood Joint Committee. He was a founder member of Whelley Labour Club and one time Treasurer. He was elected Chairman of the Council in 1954 and served in this role for one year.
William died at his home in Bolton Road, Aspull, in February 1963 and following a funeral service at St Elizabeth’s Church Aspull was interred in Wigan (Lower Ince) Cemetery *. His wife, Selina, died in 1974 and was buried with her husband.
* He was not interred in St Elizabeth’s Churchyard as stated in the Wigan Observer obituary.
Author: Peter Walker
Sources:
Aspull Urban District Council Minutes
Wigan Observer 5 May 1954 p10d Appointed chair
Wigan Observer 1 March 1963 P9g Obituary
Ancestry.Com (Free at Museum of Wigan Life)
Findmypast.co.uk (Subscription required)