William Alfred Royle (I)

• Birth date            1840
• Marriage              1869 to Henrietta Boardman the second daughter of Henry Boardman, a hosiery traveller of Higher Ardwick at St Andrews, Ancoats
• Death date          Saturday 21 May 1904
• Interment           Willow Grove Cemetery, Reddish

The eldest son of Peter Royle, born Manchester about 1815) and Jane (born 1819) William Alfred Royle was born in Manchester in 1840; his father was variously described as a journeyman smith, and toolmaker/engraver.  William Alfred was articled to Philip Nunn and remained with him as assistant. When Philip Nunn died in 1867 he took over the practice in partnership with his fellow assistant Robert Isaac Bennett.

This partnership designed a great number of buildings in different parts of the country, but chiefly in Manchester and Salford, including ten or more schools (some of considerable magnitude) for the City of Manchester School Board ; also the new offices for that Board in Deansgate, Church of England schools in Ardwick, Congregational church and school at Rooden Lane (Heaton Park), Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Manchester, Wesleyan schools in Salford, several police-stations and a branch free library for the Salford Corporation, Smedley's Hydropathic Establishment and Turkish baths at Birkdale, Southport, Turkish baths at Harrogate, and and Turkish baths in South Parade, Manchester. In addition to the above he has built a large number of extensive warehouses, shops, and offices in some of the most important streets in Manchester, together with several residences in other places.

He became a member of the Manchester Society of Architects in 1872 and was president of the Society in 1888-1889. In 1888 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal institute of British Architects. He was also a member of the Manchester Literary Club.

William Alfred Royle died on 21 May 1904 at his residence, Poolstock, Heaton Mersey, aged 64. The funeral service was held at St Thomas's Church, Heaton Chapel prior to the interment at Willow Grove Cemetery, Reddish.

MR W A ROYLE – A Correspondent writes: The late Mr W A Royle was apprenticed to the late Mr Philip Nunn, who died in 1867, when William Royle, who had for some time acted as draughtsman and assistant to Mr Nunn, succeeded to his practice, joining with himself as partner the late Mr Robert I Bennett. It is no secret that Canon Nunn, from his position on the School Board, was able to help these young men to a large share of the work of the Board. Mr Royle had many offices and warehouses to build. Perhaps the best – certainly one of the best – is that at the south east corner of Albert Square. A house characteristic of Mr Royle’s work is Clarence Lodge, built for Mr Pooley near the Brook Street entrance to Victoria Park. Mr Royle’s work was never vulgar, but he did not startle one. If his work was described as in quiet good taste, one would have to admit that it was also often commonplace. Mr Royle was a good constructionalist. One never hears of his buildings coming to grief. His clients were safe in his hands. He was one of the comparatively few in Manchester who designed his own buildings, which were carefully and sensibly planned. He had a large practice, and he well deserved the confidence reposed in him by his clients. He has been twice elected president of the Manchester Society of architects, and was also a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. [Manchester Guardian 26 May 1904. Page 10]

Residence
1841    Travis Street Manchester
1851    Dewhurst Street, Cheetham, Manchester
1861    Howard Street, Cheetham
1876    William A Royle,  Royle & Bennett) Apsley Terrace, Wellington Road, Heaton Chapel (Slaters)
1903    William A Royle MSA FRIBA architect (Royle and Bennett) Sparthfield, Heaton Norris
1904    Poolstock, Didsbury Road, Heaton Mersey and Woodfield, Llanrhos.

Death Notice    Manchester Guardian Tuesday 24 May 1904. Page 16 Deaths

Obituary    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 25 May 1904. Page 10
Obituary    British Architect 27 May 1904 Page 383 exact reproduction of MG
Obituary    Manchester Guardian 26 May 1904. Page 10
Obituary    Manchester City News 28 May 1904 Page 5 (Personal)
Obituary    RIBA Journal v11 1904 page 455
Obituary    Builder vol 86 11 June 1904 page 641
Obituary    Building News 3 June 1904 page 792

Likeness    Building News v58 1890 page 96