Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1930 & 39

Superintendent William Howard (1884 - 1932)


William Howard served 27 years with Salford Police (including 2 years at the Front in WW1), and rose to the rank of Superintendent.

 

William was a native of Shropshire, where he was employed on the railway. In 1905, at the age of 21, he came to Salford and joined the Police Force. During WW1 he served 2 years in France with the Royal Artillery, where he was severely gassed. At the end of hostilities he resumed his policing duties and was promoted to Sergeant in 1921. In 1929 William was promoted to Inspector and in May 1930 he was promoted to Superintendent of Broughton Division. He was highly commended by the Chief Constable on three occasions for the capture of dangerous criminals and was awarded by the Watch Committee in recognition of the courageous conduct he displayed in stopping a runaway horse.

 

William was a popular police officer and took a great interest in the Police Crippled Children's Treat Fund, acting as hon. Treasurer and as a member of the committee of Salford Police Athletic Society. He was also a Freemason, being a member of Excelsior Lodge.

 

Superintendent Howard's health had been affected by his gassing experience in France and in early April 1932, he was taken ill with bronchitis. This developed into pneumonia and after a two week illness, he died on Monday morning 11th April, at the early age of 48. He left a widow and an 18 year old son. The funeral service was held at St. James's Church, Broughton and was conducted by Canon S.N.Perry. There was a large attendance at Weaste Cemetery and police colleagues lined Eccles New Road. When the cortege turned into Cemetery Road it was lead by Salford Police Band to the graveside.