One of the photographs we published on September 4, showing Bradford on Coronation Day in June 1953, showed the-then Lord Mayor Alderman Angus Crowther in procession with civic dignitaries.

What we didn’t know at the time of publication was the identity of the Lord Mayor’s attendant and mace bearer. T&A reader Ken Kenzie did, however. The man in question, William Ingham, was his late uncle Bill.

In his 23 years of civic service in that capacity from 1946 to 1969, Bill Ingham attended 25 Lord Mayors.

Before the Second World War he was lift operator in City Hall. His ambition was to be mace bearer, but that had to wait until after the war when he was chosen from 142 applicants.

Mr Kenzie said: “In the Second World War he served in the Royal Artillery, and following a motorcycle accident while delivering messages as a despatch rider, had one of his big toes amputated.

“He was a very imposing 6ft 3in tall and in his civic regalia certainly was a man to look up to.”

Before Mr Ingham retired he gave an interview to the T&A in which he expressed regret that the Bradford public seemed less respectful of the office of Lord Mayor.

“Once all I had to do was walk into a room and there would be a hush, because people knew the Lord Mayor was about to enter. Now, when I announce, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the Lord Mayor,’ it is some time before people take notice... There has been a change in attitude,” he said.