Reference
X854
Title
PAPERS OF ALDERMAN W.E. SOWTER (1870-1953) MAYOR OF BEDFORD.
Date free text
1893-1957
Production date
From: 1893 To: 1957
Admin/biog history
Born in Derby in 1870, William Ernest Sowter married Emma Carroll on 21 August 1895 in Swinton, Yorkshire. They moved to Bedford in 1902 and W E Sowter became a prominent figure in local government. As a Conservative candidate he fought and lost the 1909 municipal election for Bedford west ward, successfully standing the next year for the newly created St Mary's and St John's Ward. He was a town councillor for a total of 33 years, from 1911 - 1927 and from 1932 - 1949.
He was Deputy Mayor five times and Mayor four times, from 1919- 1920, 1920 - 1921 , 1936 - 1937 and 1937 - 1938. This collection contains albums of cuttings and photographs which provide a clear picture of his activities in public life during his terms of office. During his years on the Council he served on many committees, including the Unemployment and War Memorial Committees, Electricity and Street Lighting Committee, Allotments Committee, the Education Sub-Committee, and was Chairman of the Food Production Committee.
His brief break from council duties was due to his work as Chief Officer of the Telegraph Signal Department on the old Midland Railway. He supervised sections of the line from Leicester to Shoeburyness, and resigned from town council when the Midland Railway and the London and North Western Railway Company were amalgamated and his workload increased. He left the railway company in 1930.
He was Vice-Chairman of the local Conservative Association, and was on the executive committee for more than 25 years.
He was also Commissioner of the Peace for Bedford Borough, and a Governor of the Harpur Trust.
In 1944 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Bedford, and an album records the presentation of this award in recognition of his services to the town. The government also acknowledged his dedication and he was awarded the MBE in 1936. In addition there are also family photographs, unfortunately most are unidentifiable.
Career of William Ernest Sowter
1909 Contested municipal election in Bedford West Ward.
1911 Elected to the Council in for the St Mary's and St John's Ward.
1919 Became an Alderman.
1917-1918, 1932-33, 1933-34, 1934 -1935: Deputy Mayor.
1919-1920, 1920-1921, 1936-1937, 1937 -1938: Mayor.
1917 -1927, 1935 - Chairman of the Electricity Committee.
1925: Justice of the Peace.
1932: Returned to the council for the Queens Park Ward.
1933: Re-elected an Alderman.
1936: Awarded the MBE by King Edward VIII for political and public services to Bedford.
1944: Granted the Honorary Freedom of the Borough of Bedford.
1949: Resigned from the council.
1953: Died aged 83
Level of description
fonds
Persons/institution keyword
Keywords