Alderman John Imrie Esq. JP (1839-1909)

John Imrie was a South Shields man who became a prominent local figure and spent much of his time in the town working tirelessly for the community.

He was born on 9^th October 1839 at Nile Street in South Shields. His father, also John, was a Master Mariner who hailed from Errol in Perthshire in Scotland, and his mother Eleanor, (formerly Pollock), was born in Bootle, Lancashire.

John was educated at St. John’s School, which at that time wa held in the Seamen’s Hall in Fowler Street. He became a pupil teacher at the school, but his mind was elsewhere, and he decided to become apprenticed to a joiner in order to have a trade.

His father, after suffering an appalling accident as his ship was crossing the bar one stormy night, was unable yo work.  As a result the family had to find other means of support, and at the age of 20 he initiated the beginnings of a grocery business.

An accomplished public speaker and orator, he had learned his skills as a member of the debating society which met at the Mill Street Mission. He was unflinching in his views, knew his subjects and was a hard hitter when he needed to be.

John became a councillor for the old Jarrow Ward in 1879.  Also, at one time, he had been a member of the Burial Board. He was raised to the Aldermanic bench on 5^th August 1891 and became a Justice of the Peace in 1894.

He spent a lot of his time at the courts and was also a councillor for the Laygate East Ward for many years. One of his most striking characteristics was his patronage of the working classes.  A Liberal all his life, he himself was as steadfast as his politics.

In November 1897 John became Mayor of South Shields, and many regarded this honour as being overdue.  He pioneered the notion, which still exists to this day, that the Mayor should hold office once a year. He put into motion, plans for the building of a new municipal building, and our present Town Hall is today the envy of many. He lay the foundation stone to the new baths and wash houses known to many a generation of schoolchildren as Derby Street Baths. Also, the infamous case of the ‘rights of public access’ to the Pier occurred whilst John was Mayor.

John Imrie died at his home in Whitburn Terrace on 5^th October, 1909 and he was buried in the family grave in Westoe Cemetery on 8^th October – one day before his 70^th birthday. The press were to report on his death the very same day.

John Imrie’s granddaughters still live in the area. They are members of the Local History Group and are justifiably proud of their grandfather’s many achievements.