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Description: | William Meikle, or \lquote Billy\rquote as he was known, was born in Tipton c.1858. The family lived in Manchester for some years before moving to Caldmore when Billy was about seven. Of his many hobbies, Billy's love of sketching has meant a permanent record of historic objects and places in Walsall remains. He illustrated his own Christmas Cards with local scenes and designed the menus of many local societies. He also sketched political cartoons for the Walsall Observer. Another life long interest was collecting antiques, especially furniture and by the end of his life, his house was full of treasures. Meikle was a practical joker and his appearance was as eccentric as his behaviour. He sported an \lquote Old Bill\rquote moustache and deerstalker hat and smoked a Meerschaum pipe. During the Second World War blackouts he fixed a furniture caster on to the end of his walking stick to help him find his way about. He also carried a candle in a perforated biscuit tin to light his path. During his life he was involved in several local societies. He was a founder member of both the Walsall Photographic Society and the Walsall Burns Club. As he approached his 80th year, he decided to record his stories and anecdotes in a series of booklets entitled 'Middle of the Midlands', which are kept at Walsall Local History Centre, illustrated by his own sketches and watercolours. He died in 1943 aged 84. Meikle is one of Walsall\rquote s major photograph benefactors. | Publisher: | http://www.aclickintime.co.uk/ | Rights holder: | Walsall Local History Centre | Subjects: | The Walsall Bridge Hotel George | Source: | Walsall Local History Centre Image Archive | Identifier: | http://www.aclickintime.co.uk/frontend.p... | Go to resource |
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The Bridge
William Meikle, or \lquote Billy\rquote…
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