I was interested to read the recent letter from Margaret Birch in Your Say – "Memories of Walter".
Michael Letchford, who is currently researching Walter Widdop and will hopefully be producing a biography, wished to obtain further details as to the noted singer's Halifax connections.
I have now established that Walter married Emily Whiteley at Halifax Parish Church on 29 September 1917, the witnesses being his singing teacher Arthur Hinchcliffe, and Edith May Iredale.
Walter was then listed as a private in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, and his home address was given as Green Terrace Square, Skircoat Green, Halifax.
Emily came from Grove Place, Elland Lane, Elland. Her father Edwin Whiteley, a whitesmith, being then deceased. I have tracked down the actual Widdop residence to 28 Green Terrace Square in the Electoral Rolls, and Walter and his wife lived there until about 1921, when they moved south.
Another person resident at the same address was a John Thomas Widdop, who was certainly not a brother of the singer. Was he a cousin? Does any reader know?
Arthur Hinchliffe lived for many years at 222 Savile Park Road, not far from Green Terrace Square, where he taught many young local aspiring singers.
David C Glover