Trawlers returning to Grimsby; a watercolour by the landscape/seascape artist, J. Geldard Walton 1902.

An original watercolour painting by the landscape/seascape artist, J. Geldard Walton (1860-1933).

James Geldard Walton was born in Sheffield in 1860. He was a son of James, a bootmaker born in Ecclesfield, Sheffield, and Agnes Walton, born in Scarborough.

In 1884, JGW married Florence Turner in Holbeck, Leeds.

In 1891, JGW was a boot and shoe dealer living at Attercliffe Common, Attercliffe cum Darnall, Sheffield. JGW and Florence had two children. Cyril Geldard was born in 1887 in Brooklyn, USA and Dorothy was born in Leeds in 1890.

In 1901, the family were living at the Nail Makers Arms, Norton, Ecclesall-Bierlow, Derbyshire. JGW was now an artist – painter sculp.. His son, Cyril Geldard Walton was a railway clerk.

In 1911, JGW was living at Troway Marsh Lane, Eckington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with Florence and daughter, Dorothy. JWG was described as an artist – landscape painter.

In 1923, aged 63, JGW left Liverpool for Montreal, Canada. He travelled alone. The journey took 21 days. He gave his last address as c/o Dawson, 7 Haymarket, Sheffield. Cyril, who was born in North America, had already left for Canada in 1912, only to return to Europe and India following the outbreak of WW1. (Perhaps all the family were living in Canada from 1912. JGW may have retuned to England, briefly, in 1923.)

Rifleman Cyril Geldard Walton, of Simcoe, Ontario, Canada, was killed in action in France & Flanders in 1915. His body was never found.

James Geldard Walton died in 1933. He is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

Florence Walton died in 1943. She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

Dorothy Walton died in 1951. She is buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.

Note: J. Geldard Walton probably got his love of seascapes from his mother who was born in Scarborough.