Documents relating to William John Roberts (5 June 1888 - 15 February 1957), store clerk, Nigeria

Passport of William John Roberts with photograph in military uniform, 1916-1922. Articles of Agreement for employment between Roberts of 88 Greenleaf Street, Liverpool and The Lagos Stores Limited, West Africa House, Liverpool, 1919 and 1920, relating to employment in Nigeria. Agreement relating to employment in Nigeria between Roberts (same address) and African and Eastern Trade Corporation Limited, Royal Liver Building, Liverpool, 1922. Telegram sent from Roberts, Lagos to LCD Roberts 88 Greenleaf Street, Liverpool re his return after serious illness, 20 Aug 1919. Certificate of qualification in teaching shorthand 'Sloan-Duployan Phonography' issued to Roberts, 31 July 1906. Christmas greeting card, postcard and photograph from 'Blossom' to Roberts with love. Probate certificate for Roberts' estate, 1957. Letters regarding his death from his later employers Smith's Carpets of Williamson Square, Liverpool. Roberts worked as a clerk for Liverpool based trading companies in Nigeria, mainly Lagos. He was a Lieutenant in the West African Frontier Force during the First World War. At some point (early 1920s) he contracted Black Water Fever and became deaf, he returned to the UK and in later life was helped by the Personal Service Voluntary organisation in Liverpool and had a job as a clerk and rent collector for a carpet firm in Liverpool. Further biographic information, complied by his nephew Leonard Owens, available in the collection file. Photographs collected by and taken by and featuring Roberts in West Africa are held at reference PR/701. See also DX/1314 for an unused employment agreement donated in 1993 by Owens.