South Yorkshire Times – Friday 18 November 1932

The death of Mr. Thomas Walter Waddington, Cross I Street, Wath-on-Dearne, occurred on Tuesday at the age of 43, following a brief illness.

Mr. Waddington was born at Boroughbridge, and came to Wath when four years old. From leaving the Wath National School , (of which he afterwards became a manager), he was connected with the firm of Waddington Brothers, building contractors and during recent years was chiefly responsible for the development of the joinery branch, his practical knowledge having been supplemented by courses in building construction, sanitary science, civil engineering, and surveying at the Rotherham Technical Institute and the Wath Mechanics’ Institute.

Mr. Waddinton took a keen interest in municipal work, and in April last year was elected, at the first attempt, to represent the Central Ward on the Urban District Council. He was chairman of the Lighting Committee, a member of the Gas Board, the Education Sub-Committee, the Finance Sub-Committee, the Housing Sub-Committee, and of the Rotherham Regional Town Planning Committee. Mr. Waddington was a past president of the former Mexborough Builders’ Association, a director of the Wath ‘ Majestic Cinema, of the West Melton Brick Company, and the Doncaster Joinery Works, and a member of the committee of the Wath Property Owners’ Association.

In addition he found time to take a keen interest in the social life of the district, and was a generous supporter of religious end charitable funds. He leaves a widow and two young children.

The funeral takes place at Wath Cemetery to-day (Friday) at 11 a.m.

Mr. A. E. Tabor, president of the Dearne Valley Association of Building Trades Employers, writes: “It was with deep regret that I learned of the death of Coun. Waddington. He was a very lovable personality. The better one knew him the more one appreciated his sterling character. As a building trade employer he was honoured and respected by all who had dealings with him. A shrewd business man, he was just and upright in his works and a fine pattern to us who are left behind. Wath-on-Dearne or any district can ill afford to lose such men at the present time.”