Biography

Walter was born in Doncaster on 13th July 1916 into a long standing Yorkshire fairground family, the Marshalls.

He married Renee Scott, who joined the Marshall family business travelled the fairs of Yorkshire with her husband Walter, who managed the family business, Marshalls Modern Amusements Ltd., and operated a considerable amount of equipment in his own name. He was a life member of the Showmen’s Guild and a Trustee of both the Central Office and the Yorkshire Section. He was a member of the Yorkshire Section Committee for over 20 years, a past Chairman and delegate to the Appeals Committee for many years. Walter was also one of the founding members of the Amusement Roundabouts Association.

Their daughter Sandra was born in 1940 while Walter was serving in the RAF during WWII, where he reached the rank of Sergeant. Walter was issued his licence to fly private flying machines on 26 September 1936, age twenty, in London by the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Air Ministry and was immediately assigned to the Middle East, where he remained serving his country until the end of the war. Walter and Renee’s second child, John, was born in 1946 shortly after the end of the war.

Walter died in 1970 age 54 at the family caravan site, in Atlas Mill Road, Brighouse, of coronary thrombosis. After his death Renee continued the family business with her children until she retired to Brighouse. For her eightieth birthday her daughter and son in law, Sandra and William Wright, presented her with a painting they had commissioned from Joe Scarborough which traced her life and experiences on the circus and fairground.

Found in 42 Collections and/or Records: