William Baines was born on the 26th March 1899 and baptised at Horbury Primitive Methodist Chapel on the 30th April that year. He was the son of George William and Mary Alice (nee Townsend). William spent his early years living at 11 Shepstye Road. The 1901 census describes his father George as a bricklayer’s labourer and organist. George was the organist at the Primitive Chapel, which was on the site now occupied by Lucky Flower Chinese takeaway and Bar 42. Young William would join his father on the organ bench while he played. When he was 4 years old the family moved to a music shop opposite the chapel, which his father went to run. In 1906 George and Mary had a second son, Edward Henry.
William Baines
