Alderman Williams in his Lord Mayor’s robes source unknown

Alderman Williams a tailor by profession

He was born in Bristol and his family living in Meriton Street, Redcliffe.⁽³⁾

He began his working life early as according to the 1891 census he was already working as a labourer at the age of 13 at the Brush and Basket Factory and continued to live with his parents. He continued in this career and by the age of 23, he had become a tailor’s cutter and by 1911 he was a Clothier’s Measure Cutter.

In 1903 he married Lilian Marie Hall on 26^th December 1903, and she is also remembered on the gravestone at the bottom.

He worked hard for the City of Bristol:

1928 – elected to the City Council for Bedminster East ward and served until 1960

1931 – Became President of the Tailors and Garment Workers Union

1937 – Became Chairman of Bristol’s Education Committee and served for 16 years. (He was always made chairman of the Education Committee regardless of which Party was in power)

1939 –elected member of the Executive committee of the Association of Education Committees

1943 – Became Alderman of the City of Bristol and a Justice of the Peace

1949 – awarded an honorary degree of Master of Arts by Bristol University

He was Lord Mayor 1943-1944

During his period in office, he hosted a number of Civic events attended by Queen Mary (who was  staying at Badminton House during the WW2). They were said to get on very well and a number of mementos remain in the family e.g. a Mansion House menu and photos signed by Queen Mary.