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 on the Coldharbour Estate are also named after him.