Alfred Bagnall (1846-1936)
Alfred
Bagnall
Born: 26
Nov 1846, Penkridge, Staffordshire, UK
Died: 7 Jun 1936, Shipley, Yorkshire,
UK
Father: Walter Bagnall
Mother: Sarah (Bagnall)
Brothers: John (1828
- 1921)
William (1831 - 1910)
Thomas (1836 - 1914)
James (1838 - 1907)
Sisters: Ann
(1833 - 1835)
Sarah (1841 - 1929)
Mary (1850 - 1855)
Married: Sarah Ann Atkins (1848 - 1938)
Children: Sarah Ann
(1871 - 1953)
Alfred Henry Bagnall (1873 - 1852)
Frances Annie (1875 - ?)
Albert Edward 1877 - 1966)
Martha Florence (1879 - 1938)
Alice Maud (1881 - 1970)
William Walter (1885 - abt 1900)
Laura Agnes (1887 - 1958)
Alfred Bagnall was the founder of Alfred Bagnall and Sons Ltd of Shipley, Yorkshire, UK. The company still thrives as Bagnalls Group of Companies and can be found at:
An insight into Alfred's life
and his achievements were given in an article in the Shipley Times and
Express Traders' Supplement in 1934:
At present, with the exception of Mr. Bagnall's deafness they are as healthy as octogenarians can wish. to be, and, in fact, pay regular visits to their farm at Lindale, Grange-over- Sands. Mr. Bagnall has undoubtedly: provided Shipley with one of one of the district's standing personalities. Before founding the firm which has taken his name into, all corners of' the British Isles - for it has grown to be one of the most important firms of painting contractors in the West Riding, Mr. Bagnall followed a very varied career.
Born of humble parentage, he still retains vivid recollections or life some eighty years ago. Schooling was considered to be of secondary importance. At about the age of eight Mr. Bagnall was sent to learn the first rudiments under an old dame, and about a year later he was sent to the National School at Penkridge. It was while at the latter that he ran away, owing to the severity of the teachers, and obtained employment at the same farm as his father, where a large number of boys were employed under a task master named Llewellyn.
Interesting Souvenir. Of this era of his life Mr. Bagnall still possesses an interesting souvenir. While on the farm he was the twenty-ninth lad, and he still retains the possession of a wood bottle on which are his initials and number-A.B. 29. In contrast- to the state of the country at the present day, there was nothing but agricultural work for ten miles around the farm. Mr. Bagnall stayed there for about four years, during which time his renumerance was 1d. and a bottle of beer a day. For this he worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., winter and summer. During harvest time, however, every man and boy was supplied with plenty of bread and cheese and beer, and large mutton pies were brought into the fields daily. Even the women had to work in the fields in those days, and Mr. Bagnall carries in his memory the sights of men being placed in the stocks for being drunk.
Afterwards Mr. Bagnall worked other farms and held a number of positions as coachman in addition top working for a spell at the Saltby Carriage and Railway Wagon Company's works, before taking up a post under Mr. Jeremiah Garnett, a paper manufacturer, at Otley. Soon afterwards he was married to Miss Sarah Ann Atkins at Saltby, Birmingham, and during the years that was employed in a variety of occupations.
While under Mr. Andrew Marshall, a well-known Shipley painter and decorator, he helped to paint the Shipley Police Station, Saltaire Road Primitive Methodist Church, and also the old chapel in Briggate. Still later he obtained an occupation with Mr. David Hutton, the well-known painter, of Briggate, Shipley, where he remained until March, 1874, and was then sent for to paint a new bridge over the River Aire at Charlestown on the new branch railway. Although Mr. Bagnall had not the remotest idea of ever commencing on his own account, this offer was really the starting point of his embarking into business on his own account, for he did this work in partnership with a workmate, Cornelius Lupton. Three months later Mr. Robert Walker Quarmby became his partner, and this partnership was continued until Mr. Quarmby's death on July 15, 1890. Fortune had by this time begun to smile on Mr. Bagnall's efforts, and was doing its utmost to make amends for his previous hardships.
From Westgate the shop was first transferred across the road and then to its present headquarters in, Market Street. From then onwards the business flourished by leaps and bounds and at the present time, besides the head office at 7, Market Street, Shipley, they have depots at York House, London, Bushbury, and Wolverhampton, and carry out their contracts in all parts of England and Ireland, not only for private contractors, but also for the Government and Air Ministry. The business is now carried on by his two sons and grandsons.
Masonic Interest. Outside business circles Mr. Bagnall is perhaps best known in the district for his Masonic connections. He was one of the founders of the Amity Lodge of Freemasons, and received honours in the craft and the Royal Arch. Joining the Airedale Lodge over 35 years ago, he was Worshipful Master in 1905, while he is the oldest member of the three lodges. That he still retains a deep interest in Freemasonry is shown by the fact that he frequently attends Masonic gatherings.
n.b. we are indebted to Gillian McRonald of Cheshire, UK, great-grandaughter of Alfred Bagnall, for the above information. Photograph courtesy of Kathleen McPartland (nee Bagnall) of Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancs, UK, great-niece of Alfred Bagnall.
