Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1920 & 29

Walter Henry Barrett (1853 - 1925)


Walter Henry Barrett served one term as Mayor of Salford in 1922 – 1923. He played a prominent role as Chairman of the Tramways Committee and was also Chairman of the Licensing Bench. He was an Estate Agent and Valuer by profession.


He was born on 19th February 1853 in Hulme, Manchester and baptised at All Saints Church, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester on 24th April 1853. His parents were John Barrett, who was a Bookkeeper and Elizabeth (nee Curwen) Barrett. It would appear that Walter's father died before 1871 and Walter and his mother moved to Salford in 1870. The 1871 census shows that they lived at Clifford Street, Salford. Elizabeth Barrett was the Head, born in 1812 aged 59 and Walter, was aged 19. Walter was a keen member of the Prince of Wales Rowing Club and won the junior 4s race at Agecroft Regatta in 1873. He also joined the 1st Manchester Rifle Brigade aged 17.


In 1876 Walter married Campbella Davies in Salford by Registrar. She was born in 1851 and registered at Salford, Regent Road. In 1871, 19-year-old Campbella was living at Regent Road, Salford with her mother Margaret Davies aged 44 and siblings Daniel aged 18 and Hamilton aged 15. Tragedy struck on 3rd June 1880 when Walter and Campbella's second child Walter Stirling died at Blackpool, Lancashire, aged 14 months. In 1891 Walter was renting business premises at 6, Booth Street, Manchester township. The 1901 census reveals the family lived at 70 Eccles Old Road, Pendleton, where Walter was aged 48 and an Estate Agent and Campbella was aged 49. Their children were Hamilton aged 23 who was an Estate Agent's Clerk, Nora Sutherland aged 19, John Campbell aged 17, Thomas Norman aged 14 and Margaret aged 13. Also in the house was Walter's mother Elizabeth aged 89. The 1911 census reveals the family lived at Beechmount, Ellesmere Road, Eccles. Walter, Hamilton and John were all described as Land and Building Valuer and Estate Agent, Nora had no occupation, Thomas was a Land Surveyor and Valuer and Margaret had no occupation.


Walter Barrett was elected to Council for Weaste Ward for the Conservatives in 1898 and was elevated to Alderman in 1918. He served on most of the Council Committees, but in particular he was Chairman of the Tramways Committee, Chairman of the Electricity and Improvement Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Health Committee.  He was also Chairman of the War Pensions Committee, Chairman of the Licensing Bench, member of the Salford Royal Hospital Board, Overseer of the Poor and member of the Port Sanitary Committee. He was elected Mayor of Salford for 1922/23. Walter was also a Freemason and member of the Albert Victor Lodge. He played bowls and won trophies. He was also a member of Worsley Golf Club where he was Captain in 1921-22. Walter was also a member of Pendleton Presbyterian Church.


In early 1925 Walter became ill. He needed an operation in late May and afterwards transferred to a nursing home in Broughton. He was progressing well, but had a relapse and died suddenly on 30th May 1925, aged 72. He was buried at Weaste Cemetery in grave A5/DISS/203. Five months later Walter's wife Campbella died on 23rd October 1925, aged 74 and was re-united with her husband at Weaste Cemetery.