Freemen of Borough, Burnley 1924

iBase ID

275667

Reference identifier

EBU20180418005

Title

Freemen of Borough, Burnley 1924

Place

Burnley

Personal names

Alderman H. Emmott, J.P., Alderman Dr. A. MacGregor Sinclair, O.B.E., J.P., Alderman E. Keighley, J.P., David (Dan) Irving, M.P., Alderman J. Race, J.P. , Alderman Clegg

General notes

Back, L-R: Alderman H. Emmott, J.P., Alderman Dr. A. MacGregor Sinclair, O.B.E., J.P.,
Front Alderman E. Keighley, J.P., David (Dan) Irving, M.P., Alderman J. Race, J.P.
On 3.1.1924 four stalwarts of public life, were made Freemen of the Borough of Burnley. The Burnley Express reported (5.1.1924 p.6,7) the many lengthy speeches. The occasion had been brought forward so that all the Freemen could attend, as Alderman Keighley was going on a trip to Egypt, and Dan Irving was about to return to Westminster having just been re-elected as Labour M.P. for the third time so they would be given the memorial silver casket containing the resolution inscribed on vellum, at a later date.

The proposer for Dan Irving concluded by saying "My best wish is that he may long be spared, although his hair is white, to enjoy the highest honour which this Council and the public of Burnley can confer upon him." Irving's sudden death only 3 weeks later on 24.1.1924, shortly after returning to Westminster, caused great shock and sorrow. (See also 274565 and 6 for Irving and his funeral). Irving's silver casket and address is in Towneley Hall.

Dr. A. MacGregor Sinclair, came to Burnley in 1890 from Scotland as surgeon at the new Burnley Victoria Hospital. He played a hugely significant role in political and public life, particularly with regard to the hospitals, until he retired in 1927 to Caithness, where he died on 2.9.1938 being the last surviving Freeman. Unmarried, he was supported throughout his long career by his sister, herself an MBE, who was also active in public and political life.

Medium

Photographic print

Colour

Monochrome

Original image size

24 x 17.5

Year of image

1924

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Locator

P553

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