William McManus - The Mayors of Bolton Directory

He began work at 12 and spent all his working life in the dye house Department of S and J Prestwich's  Pandora Mills, Farnworth.

Represented North-west Ward from 1931. He was made an Alderman in 1939 when the town received its Charter of Incorporation.

He served on most committees and was Chairman of several, notably Highways in which he had a particular interest.

He represented Farnworth on the Divisional Road Safety organization, the Divisional Education and Health Executives, the Area Children's Committee, the Bolton and District Joint Sewerage Board, the Bolton and District Regional Town Planning Committee and the Lancashire and Merseyside Industrial Development Association.

Elected County Councillor in 1946 and was a County Alderman from 1953 to 1955.

At his installation in 1942 he said that when he left the army after the First World War an officer made the remark that it was their duty on returning to civil life to do what they could to ensure that the work of the towns they belonged to was carried on.

He had a particular interest in youth work and said, "the future depended upon the young people of today and the youth movement should have a leading place in all their considerations and deliberations."

During his term of office the major wartime fundraising event was the Wings for Victory appeal. The appeal raised £260,227, which was well above target.

Throughout his working life he was interested in Trade Union affairs. He was the delegate of the Walkden and Farnworth Branch of the Operative Bleachers, Dyers and Finishers Association, Bolton for 15 years and President of his Trade Union branch which he also represented on the Farnworth Trades Council for 40 years from 1918.

In 1953 he was elected President of the reconstituted Farnworth, Walkden and District Trades Council. When he retired he was made an honorary member of the Trades Council.

He had an equally long association with the local Labour movement serving as an official of the local Labour Party and Divisional Party Executive. He also served on the Board of Management of Farnworth and Kearsley Cooperative Society.

He was a Governor of Farnworth Grammar School, Bolton School and St Gregory's Roman Catholic Secondary School. He was a member of St Gregory's Men's Institute and was their representative on the Sunday School Billiards League. Committee. He was a keen cyclist and was a member of SS Peter and Paul's Cycling Club, Bolton.

He was a member of the Nottingham Order of Oddfellows for 30 years and was a past master of British Pride Lodge 1041, Moses Gate and a representative on the Bolton Provincial Grand Lodge.

Roman Catholic - he worshipped at St Gregory's Roman Catholic Church, Farnworth.

His wife, Gertrude Angela, was Mayoress.

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