Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Thomas Walford
Designation:  
Born: c. 1832
Died: 15 October 1908
Bio Notes: James Thomas Walford was born about 1832, the son of James Thomas Walford, engineer and his wife Mary Waud. flourished from 1868 to 1906. In 1868 he appears to have been in practice with John Donkin at 3 Queen’s Square, Westminster. At this time he is described as architect and surveyor. Donkin, who held the post of architect to the Bedford Estate, later moved to Bournemouth, where he was in practice in 1882. At this point the partnership was presumably dissolved. By 1885 Walford had formed another partnership in London with T Pollard.

In 1871 Walford entered the competition for The Criterion, in which fifteen architects were invited to submit designs for building a large tavern and restaurant on a plot of land at Piccadilly. Although Walford's design was not premiated, the writer in the 'Builder' thought that it might have merited being placed above the one that was put in 4th position. His designs were described as being Italian in style 'with French modifications'.

Between 1873 and 1885 Walford undertook a series of alterations for Mr F Gorringe to his shop premises in Buckingham Palace Road, Pimlico and for his premises in Brewer Street, Soho. It is interesting to note that Walford had an office in Buckingham Palace Road during the 1880s. In 1883 he designed a series of villas for Mr David Brown in his private park, Harrow-on-the Hill, which were illustrated in the ‘Builder’, where they were described as ‘chalet residences’. Another villa described as a ‘Bijou residence, Hitcham Vale, Taplow’ appeared in the Builder two years later.

The plans for the church in Portobello were reputedly provided free of charge. Walford may have been had a seaside summer villa in the area from about 1903 until 1907 as a ‘J Walford’ is recorded at 29 Joppa Road in these years (but does not appear in the 1907-08 Post Office Directory).

Walford formed a partnership with Eric Thompson in London in about 1904. This lasted until at least 1911.

Walford died in Portobello on 15 October 1908, aged 76.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 33, Queen's Terrace, London, EnglandPrivate/business(?)1868 *  
Item 2 of 382, Buckingham Palace Road, London, EnglandBusiness(?)1883  
Item 3 of 329, Joppa Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1903(?)1908 

* earliest date known from documented sources.


Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 1Thompson & Walfordc. 19041908Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 11903St John the Evangelist RC ChurchPortobello EdinburghScotlandChurch and furnishings

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory1868Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory London, Wyman 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 11Builder25 March 1871  p220
Item 2 of 11Builder23 August 1873   
Item 3 of 11Builder22 July 1877   
Item 4 of 11Builder29 September 1877   
Item 5 of 11Builder30 July 1881   
Item 6 of 11Builder20 August 1881   
Item 7 of 11Builder26 May 1883   
Item 8 of 11Builder30 June 1883   
Item 9 of 11Builder23 February 1884   
Item 10 of 11Builder26 September 1885   
Item 11 of 11Builder3 March 1993   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Gray Marshall & Associates who undertook restoration work on the churchResearch by Jocelyn Cunliffe