Walter Marsden

Atarah · 09-05-2004, 22:13

Hi, anyone ever heard of Walter Marsden? No? Anyone ever seen the lovely war memorial in Gatty Park? Well, Walter was the scupltor!

Walter was born in Church in 1882, the son of a blacksmith. He worked in the terracotta department of the Accrington Brick and Tile Company. The then owners, the McAlpine family, saw his talent, and encouraged him to study at what was then the Accrington Technical School along Blackburn Road (we knew it as the Grammar School, now demolished and houses built on the site!). He eventually went to the Royal College of Art in London He enlisted in the first world war and afterwards, resumed his career. Probably because of his own war experiences, his turned his skills to the design of war memorials. All but two of his memorials are in his native Lancashire. For his home town of Church, he designed two memorials, both unveiled in Sept 1923.

The memorial in Gatty Park is a classically robed figure of "Peace" carved from Portland stone. In Elmfield Hall there is a bronze plaque naming 132 Church lads who died in the war.

He died in July 1968 aged 85 years. Towards the end of his life he was awarded a civil pension by the Queen for his services to sculpture.

Unfortunately his life and achievements have gone unrecognised in his home town. Maybe someone on this site is related to him?

Gatty Park is now, I believe, some sort of Community Centre. Maybe someone knows for sure?

(some of these notes kindly supplied by Mr William Turner, local historian)

garinda · 20-01-2010, 00:32

There's photographs of his sculptures on this site, and more information.

Marsden, Walter, Sculptor - Your Archives

Margaret Pilkington · 20-01-2010, 08:13

For those who have not seen the memorial, here is a picture.

MargaretR · 20-01-2010, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

There's photographs of his sculptures on this site, and more information.

Marsden, Walter, Sculptor - Your Archives

My fraternal grandmother's maiden name was Marsden, so I had a close look at that link.

I know that she didn't have a brother named Walter, but he might have been a cousin.

Maybe Retlaw will supply us with some local info (eg address) from his WW1 records.

garinda · 03-02-2010, 10:39

A photograph of Marsden's sculpture, Bolton War Memorial.

War Memorial. on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

garinda · 17-02-2011, 21:31

A fuller biography of Walter Marsden on this link.

LARA MARSDEN, WALTER

Retlaw · 17-02-2011, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by MargaretR

My fraternal grandmother's maiden name was Marsden, so I had a close look at that link.

I know that she didn't have a brother named Walter, but he might have been a cousin.

Maybe Retlaw will supply us with some local info (eg address) from his WW1 records.

Just seen this thread.
Walter was studying sculpture in London when WW1 broke out, he served as a Lieut in the Loyal North Lancs.
Walter was 35 years of age when he was awarded the Military Cross, for rescuing a wounded man who was trapped underground.
His parents lived at 18 Princess St,
Retlaw.

Bob Dobson · 18-02-2011, 08:32

I think the Hoddlesden WM is his work.

MargaretR · 18-02-2011, 09:11

Thank you Retlaw for the additional info.
I am unable to make any connection with my fraternal grandmother's family.

wadey · 09-04-2011, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

I think the Hoddlesden WM is his work.

Photo here

Hoddlesden War Memorial | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

garinda · 08-11-2011, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

There's photographs of his sculptures on this site, and more information.

Marsden, Walter, Sculptor - Your Archives

Only just noticed his address in 1915 is given.

'Marsden’s attestation of December 1915 to join the Territorial Force. Address shown as 18 Princess Street, Accrington, Lancashire.'

Retlaw · 08-11-2011, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Only just noticed his address in 1915 is given.

'Marsden’s attestation of December 1915 to join the Territorial Force. Address shown as 18 Princess Street, Accrington, Lancashire.'

Where did you see his attestation papers, I thought officers papers were only available if you went to the PRO at Kew, thats the only was I've ever got them.
Retlaw.

garinda · 08-11-2011, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Where did you see his attestation papers, I thought officers papers were only available if you went to the PRO at Kew, thats the only was I've ever got them.
Retlaw.

I haven't seen them, his address, taken off them, was given on here...

Marsden, Walter, Sculptor - Your Archives

The National Archives site.

Bob Dobson · 08-11-2011, 19:17

An Accrington Grammar School lad, he also designed the magnificent memorial at St Annes. The first mayor of the newly-formed town of Lytham St Annes, in 1922, was an Accrington chap, so maybe he got the job for Walter.

18 Princess St? I took their paper - in the 50s.I got a good tip at Christmas.

garinda · 14-02-2012, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

For those who have not seen the memorial, here is a picture.

I'd never seen the statue until today.

When you go past it's nearly the same colour as the stone of the Hall.

I was sat in the car today, opposite the park, and saw it, but couldn't work out who it was.

Could tell it was an erect female figure, draped arms, piously half out stretched.

Could tell it was done after WWI, but thought it looked like Virginia Woolf, or Emmeline Pankhurst. Though I knew of no reason why a statue of those two should be placed there.

Thanks to your photos on Flickr, and Accy Web, I now know exactly what it is.

I've never actually set foot in Gatty Park.

Perhaps I should.

What's the Hall used for now, and can you go in there?

Statue...outside Elmfield Hall, Accrington | Flickr - Photo Sharing!