We have recently received into our archive a musical score book for the Gilbert & Sullivan opera the Yeomen of the Guard. It belonged to Major John Booth (1854 - 1925) of Hazelbank in Turton, who was a member of Bolton Amateur Operatic Society. It includes stage manager annotations and some newspaper cuttings and theatre programmes. It seems that he lent this score to a lady called Miss Jackson for a Radcliffe Bridge Wesleyan Choir production of the Yeomen. Our thanks to Jill Alexander for the donation.
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| Yeoman of the Guard at The Grand, Bolton, 1899 |
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| Leather bound score book of John Booth of Turton, annotated with stage directions |
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| Letter to Miss Jackson, 1923 |
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| Bolton Amateur Operatic Society, 1894-5 Programme |
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| Bolton Amateur Operatic Society, 1894-5 List of Members |
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| Bolton Amateur Operatic Society at the New Grand, Bolton, 1895 |
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| Radcliffe Bridge Wesleyan Choir, 1923 in Aid of the Organ Fund |
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| Lagonda Advert, Radcliffe, 1923 |
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| Vickers Pianos Ltd, Bolton, 1923 |
MAJOR JOHN BOOTH, V.D., J.P.
Belonging to a family which has been for many years actively and influentially connected with the Turton district as employers and in association with its religious, political, and social life. Major John Booth, V.D., J.P., Hazel Bank, is a personality who comes appropriately within the purview of any narrative dealing with the history of this locality.
The eldest son of Mr. James Booth, J.P., of Hazelhurst, Turton (and formerly of Blackburn), Major Booth was born in 1854, educated at Spring Bank Academy, Darwen, which was one of the best scholastic institutions in Lancashire, and afterwards joined his father at the Wellington Mills (now Messrs. James Booth and Sons), Turton.
In 1880 he married Miss Taylor, daughter of R.S. Taylor, Esq., of Bury, and has two children, a son and daughter.
Among the activities which claimed his early interest was the Volunteer movement, with which he was associated in connection with the 2nd (Blackburn) Lancashire Rifle Volunteers from 1874 until 1893, when owing to increasing business calls upon his time, he retired with the honorary rank of Major and with the Victorian decoration for long service.
As a member of the Masonic fraternity Major Booth has attained to many honours of the craft - a Past Master of the Anchor and Hope Lodge, No. 37, joining it in 1875, and passing through all its offices, including that of treasurer, which he has held from 1886 until the present time. In 1892 he became Prov. Grand Senior Deacon, and later rose to the rank of P. Prov. Grand Junior Warden. In the Royal Arch degree he has attained the rank of P.Z. of Concord Chapter, 37, Past Prov. Grand Sojourner of Lancashire. He is a P.M. of the St. John's Mark Lodge "Time Immemorial" also Prov. G.M. Overseer of the Province and Past Assist Grand Director of Ceremonies to the Grand Mark Lodge of England, a member and Prov. Grand Officer of the Knights Templar and Knights of Malta, a member of Royal Ark Mariners, the Allied degrees and Royal Order of Scotland, and also a member of the Rose Croix degrees.
Locally Major Booth holds the positions of a Justice of the Peace for the County of Lancashire, and is leader of the Unionist party in Turton, and its principal representative on the Westhoughton Division Conservative Council, is president of the Turton, Edgworth and District Workingmen's Conservative Association, Ruling Councillor of the Sir Lees Knowles Habitation of the Primrose League, and is a warden of St. Anne's Church, Turton, which position he has held for the last three years. He takes a close interest in matters affecting the well being of the neighbourhood and is fond of antiquarian research.
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| Major John Booth (1854 - 1925) of Hazel Bank, Turton |
Some Genealogical Notes
(1) Major John Booth (1854 - 1925) of Hazel Bank. He married Mary Agnes Taylor in 1880, and they had two children, a son Robert Hutchenson Booth, and a daughter, Margaret:
(1.1) Robert Hutchenson Booth (1884 - 1916). He married Elsie Mary Monk. He was killed in Malta during WW1. They had one son Robert Arthur Booth. Elsie remarried to Francis Hugh Poughill Wills.
(1.1.1) Robert Arthur Booth (1915 - 1943). He died in an accident while on military service.
(1.2) Margaret married Harold Robinson at Turton in 1914. They lived at Rockfield in Dunscar. Doctor Robinson was the Medical Officer of Health for Turton Urban District Council in the 1930s. He died at Absersoch, Wales in 1957.
