Sir Walter Parratt

Sir Walter Parratt was the organist at Wigan Parish Church from 1868 to 1872 and became closely associated with both the musical and sporting life of Wigan. 

The Wall brothers, sons of Thomas Wall, founder of the Wigan Observer, were all members of Wigan Cricket Club and the parish church choir. They likely persuaded Walter to play cricket for the club, reflecting the strong links between church, sport, and community life in Victorian Wigan.

During his four-year stay in Wigan, Parratt lived at 19 Clifton Street, next door to George Heaton, the industrious architect responsible for many well-known Wigan buildings. His years in the town formed an important early chapter in a distinguished national career.

After leaving Wigan, Parratt held several prominent positions in the musical world. He became organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, and later served at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. 

He was knighted in 1892 and the following year was appointed Master of the King’s and Queen’s Musick, a position he held from 1893 until his death in 1924. Upon his death he was succeeded by Sir Edward Elgar.

Walter’s ashes, together with those of his wife Emma, are buried beneath the north choir aisle of St George’s Chapel, Windsor. A commemorative stone is positioned near the entrance to the King George VI Memorial Chapel, close to the resting place of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Despite his royal connections and national fame, Sir Walter Parratt’s story remains strongly linked to Wigan through his contribution to the parish church choir and Wigan Cricket Club.