WW1 CENTENARY REMEMBERING THE MCT EMPLOYEES ........... by Martin Logan

As the war progressed a decision was taken that the bodies of those soldiers who died would not be repatriated to the UK. 

They would be buried were they fell and eventually cemeteries would spring up all over the Western Front to hold the many thousands who fell.

However in my research into the employees of Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) who fell in the Great War I came across at least 12 who are either buried or remembered at cemeteries in the Greater Manchester Area.

One of the MCT employees on the Memorial Plaque is a Rothwell W.
My research took me to Weaste Cemetery which is located behind Media City in Salford.

I eventually came across the grave of the Rothwell family. Sgt William Edward Rothwell is the MCT employee who joined the tramways in 1913 and fought with the 6th Battalion Manchester Regiment.

He was the father of 8 children, one whom was also called William and who also died in the Great War.

They are both remembered on the family gravestone.

The inscription reads as follows
           
              IN
LOVING MEMORY
            OF
Sgt W.E Rothwell Man Regt
  The beloved husband of
       Elizabeth Rothwell
Drowned on duty Nov 17th 1915
               Aged 48 years

           Also their dear son

Le/cpl W.E. Rothwell 8th K.L.R.
      Killed in action in France
  Sept 11th 1918 aged 19 years
Now and forever soldiers of Christ

   Also JAMES their beloved son
          Who died April 5th 1921
                In his 21st year
                    At rest

If you can provide any information on the Rothwell family please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com / 07985490124

Martin Logan © September 2016

Location Manchester & Salford

Picture; the Rothwell family, 2016 from the collection of Martin Logan