William Thornley

• Born                      31 August 1876
• Baptism                16 October 1876 at Wesleyan Methodist, Bolton
• Married                1904 Alice Hurwood at Bolton
• Died                       21 July 1933 in a railway carriage compartment near Salford Railway Station

William Thornley was born at Bolton-le-Moors, the son of William and Mary Thornley on 31 August 1876 and may have been articled to Bradshaw and Gass of Bolton. He started in business in partnership with his brother John Berry Thornley at Wigan and Darwen about 1900. This partnership appears to have ended about 1911 with J B Thornley at Darwen and William Thornley maintaining the Wigan office in his own name or under the style Thornley Brothers. By 1920 he also had a London office at 14 Berry Street St Mary Axe EC, and an office at Blackpool. He was elected LRIBA in 1925. William Thornley died on 21 July 1933, the circumstances of his death being reported in the Lancashire Evening Post:

COLLAPSED IN TRAIN - BLACKPOOL ARCHITECT DIES ON WAY TO SALFORD HOSPITAL - Mr W. Thornley (50), of Holmfield-road, Blackpool, well-known architect and valuer, collapsed in a railway carriage on an express train on the way to Manchester last night and died later. When the train reached Salford an ambulance was waiting at the station and Mr. Thornley was rushed to the Salford Royal Hospital, but he died on the way. It is believed that had a heart attack while travelling to Manchester. [Lancashire Evening Post 22 July 1933 page 6]

Address
1901        J B and W Thornley. Powell’s Chambers, Millgate, Wigan   
1915        Thornley Brothers, Library Street, Wigan
1923        W Thornley MSA. 46 Wallgate, Wigan
1924        Thornley Brothers. 46 Wallgate Wigan
1929        W Thornley LRIBA,  Clarence Chambers 46 Wallgate Wigan
1934        Thornley Brothers. 46 Wallgate Wigan

Residence
1911        Ashton-in-Makerfield
1920        46 Withnell Road, South Shore, Blackpool
1924        W Thornley 46 Withnell Road South Shore Blackpool
1931         28 Rosebery Avenue Blackpool (probate)
1933        Holmfield Road, Blackpool