William Barefoot

William Barefoot (1872 – November 1941) was a notable local politician in south-east London during the early part of the 20th century.

He was a born in Frances Street, Woolwich, and lived for a time in Griffin Street, Plumstead.^[1]

He served as a local councillor in Eltham for 33 years, was mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich three times (1925-1927), and served on the national executive committee of the Labour Party. In 1928, he wrote Twenty-five years' history of the Woolwich Labour Party, 1903-1928, published by the "Kentish Independent" Printing Works. He died from a heart attack suffered in the council chamber at Woolwich town hall.

He is commemorated by a plaque in Well Hall Pleasaunce, erected in September 1942, which reads: "He loved nature and his efforts to beautify Woolwich are reflected in the creation of this Pleasaunce" (Barefoot had been instrumental in the creation of the Pleasaunce as a public park and gardens).^[2][1] A small park, William Barefoot Gardens in Alliance Road, Plumstead,^[3] and William Barefoot Drive in New Eltham, London SE9 are also named after him.

References

1. Well Hall Pleasaunce - Eltham London Park SE9
2. Clive Efford MP
3. Royal Greenwich - William Barefoot Gardens