REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS FEBRUARY 1917 ........ Martin Logan

In 2008 when I first started researching one of the names on the Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) WW1 Memorial Plaque, which was affixed to the outer wall of the now demolished Princess Road Bus Depot, I never for one minute realised that it would become a journey of discovery.

What first started off as a curious glance at a metal plaque on a wall has over the years turned into a passion bordering on obsession to tell their stories. Over the intervening years I have amassed a small library of information on the 310 MCT employees whose names are inscribed on the Memorial Plaque.

Since first making contact with the relatives of BERRY H- Herbert Berry, I have made contact with five more relatives: COLLINS G L – the great grand daughter of George Leonard Collins; STARKEY W – the niece of William Starkey; GORMAN J – the great nephew of John Gorman; PLAYFOOT E L-The great nephew of Ernest Lewis Playfoot; MAYNE J – the great nephew of John Mayne. Each of these relatives has provided me with photos and information of their loved ones.

A book titled “Manchesters in the Great War” has provided me with photos and info on another six employees: BARTON T-Thomas Barton; CLIFFE G- George Cliffe; JENKINSON R A- Robert Alexander Jenkinson; NEWMAN G E- George Edward Newham; TANNER E A- Ernest Aubrey Tanner; and STALHER J A-Joseph Stalher.

A further two photos have been provided the Manchester Evening News in articles on the Centenary titled “The stories 100 Years Ago”; RASTALL G H-George Henry Rastall and PENNILL A- Alfred Pennill.  Two photos of MCT employees in army uniform, one group and one single have been provided by the Museum of Transport Manchester.

With all this information in my possession it is now my intention to try and update the MCT Roll of Honour of the Great War, which was published in 1918.

To create a lasting memorial so that the current generation and future generations can look back with pride and sadness on the achievements and sacrifices made by the MCT employees in the Great War.

If you can help me in any way shape or form with this endeavour I would be very grateful. Please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

At the base of the MCT War Memorial is the following inscription.
Let those who come after see to it that these names be not forgotten
LEST WE FORGET

© Martin Logan 2017

Pictures; courtesy of Martin Logan, 2017

REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAY ..... JANUARY 1918 by Martin Logan

The Great War has now gone into a fourth year.

When war was declared in 1914 thousands upon thousands of young men flocked to the colours so as not to miss any of the action. Why? Because they believed that it would be all over by Christmas and so wanted to be part of this Great Venture. Little did they realise what lay in store for them on the Western Front.

As the war dragged into 1918 with no end in sight the death toll amongst MCT employees would continue to rise.

Amongst the many that would die on the western Front, January 1918 would see just one Tramways employee being killed.

William Maguire was a labourer with the Manchester Tramways Department.

He enlisted as Private 6852 with the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

However in the course of the war he was later transferred to 863 Area Employment Company Labour Corps as Private 404883.

He was the son of Patrick and Teresa Maguire and the husband of Mary Jane Maguire of 20 Beswick Street Manchester. On the 8th January 1918, exactly one hundred years ago he was killed. He was 35 years of age.

He is buried at Les Baraques Military Cemetery, Sangatte Pas de Calais in grave ref: II.C.6 near the Great Cross.

At the base of the headstone is the following inscription from his family: “ETERNAL REST GIVE TO HIM O LORD MAY HE REST IN PEACE AMEN”

The cemetery is located on the western side of Calais just off the D940, the road to Sangatte.

In April 1915, No.6 Base Supply Depot was started at Calais to help relieve the pressure on Boulogne and to provide a base nearer to the front than Havre or Rouen.

The base remained open until the last Commonwealth forces left France in March 1921. The 30th, 35th and 38th General Hospitals, No.9 British Red Cross Hospital and No.10 Canadian Stationary Hospital were also stationed in the town providing about 2,500 beds.

For three years, Commonwealth burials were made in Calais Southern Cemetery, but it later became necessary to start a new site and in September 1917, the first burials took place at Les Baraques.

The cemetery continued in use until 1921.
The cemetery now contains 1,303 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, together with more than 250 war graves of other nationalities, all but 2 of them German.

The cemetery also contains seven Second World War burials.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

Compared to the larger WW1 Cemeteries or Memorials like Tyne Cot, Thiepval and the Menin Gate, Les Baraques is small and probably rarely visited by British people as they arrive in Calais.

However this cemetery is just as important to me as they are, as it holds the grave of a Manchester Tramways employee. Please Remember Him.

If you have info on William Maguire  or anyone else on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

Martin Logan © 2018

Pictures; the name off the plaque is from Martin Logan, the scroll is from CWGC web site, the photo, plan, and info are from CWGC site and other WW1 sites

Remembering the Employees of Manchester Corporation Tramways .... Christmas 1917 from Martin Logan

As we approach Christmas 2017 100 years ago the Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) Employees serving on the Western Front were about to celebrate, if one can use that word, their fourth Christmas in the trenches.  

Since August 1914 around 250 MCT employees commemorated on the Memorial Plaque will have died.

During the period January to December 1917 at least 75 employees taking part in many offensives including Arras, the Third Battle of Ypres otherwise known as Passchendaele and Cambrai will have perished.

Brereton S W 
The first MCT employee to die in 1917 was a Brereton SW.

This person was Samuel Whitlow Brereton who was a guard working on the trams out of Hyde Road Tram Shed.

Waggon Road Cemetery

He was private 19338 with the 21st Battalion Manchester Regiment – 6th City Pals.

Samuel was the son of Samuel W and Emma Brereton of Runcorn Cheshire and the Husband of Frances Brereton of 47 Duncan Rd Longsight Manchester.

He was killed on the 12th January 1917 aged 27. He is buried in Waggon Road Cemetery Beaumont-Hamel grave reference A.5 which is situated in the Somme Department of France.

Richards E W
Ernest W Richards was a painter with MCT. He was Lance Corporal 308416 1st Battalion The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). He went missing on the 30th November 1917.

Cambrai Memorial

His body was never found and so he is commemorated on panel 4 of the Cambrai Memorial Louveral, which is situated in the Nord Department of France. He was 37 years of age. He was the husband of Gertrude Richards of 8 St Mark’s St Levenshulme Manchester

Foulding F
Fred Foulding was a platelayer with MCT. He was sergeant R897 of the 11th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Like E W Richards he too went missing on the 30th November 1917 and his body was never found.

He is also commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial Louveral panel 9, Nord France. Fred Faulding was the holder of the Military Medal and was gazetted 24 January 1917.

These men never saw another sunrise and never saw the sun going down again. They would also never celebrate another Christmas. So as we celebrate the festive season with our families and friends please spare a thought for Samuel, Ernest, Fred and all their mates and remember them.

If you have info on any of these employees or anyone else on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

Martin Logan © 2017

Pictures; sourced by Martin Logan, Waggon Road British Cemetery and the Cambrai Memorial where they are remembered. are from the CWGC website

Another story from Matin Logan ...... REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS AT SOUTHERN CEMETERY

On the border of Chorlton and Didsbury at the junction of Princess Road and Barlow Moor Road stands Southern Cemetery. According to Wikipedia it is the largest municipal cemetery in the UK and the second largest in Europe.

The screen

The cemetery has a place in my heart for a number of reasons.

Firstly it is the last resting place of both my parents. I can remember when my mother died and when visiting her grave with my father we would usually take a stroll around the rest of the cemetery.

As it is a Victorian Cemetery having been built in 1879 it has many interesting and beautiful memorials and grave stones. It is a place full of fascinating wildlife, many lovely trees and well maintained. Well worth a visit.

Currently it has another attraction for me in that it holds the graves and memorials to a number of Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) employees who died in the Great War 1914 – 1918.

If one enters the cemetery by the main entrance on Barlow Moor and turns right at the first roundabout you come to the main memorial to those who gave their lives in that war. There is a screen wall with a Cross of Sacrifice in front.

On either side there are graves containing the remains of Australian, New Zealand and Canadian soldiers.

The screen wall is made up of 32 stone panels containing the names of over 380 men who have no known grave. Two of those men were MCT employees Daws JEG and Mellor GE

 J.E. Dawson

James E G Daws died 25 August 1917 aged 32.

 He was sergeant B/2384 D Company 8th Bn Rifle Brigade. He was the son of William James and Jane Isabella Daws.

He was the husband of Ada Daws 471 Cheetham Hill Road Cheetham Hill Manchester.

He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the line of duty.

He was a guard on The Manchester Tramways

George Ernest Mellor died 14 August 1916 aged 39. He was Corporal T4/210358 664th Company Royal Army Service Corps. He was the husband of Ellen Walker (formerly Mellor) of 96 Morton Street Longsight Manchester.

His occupation is stated as a sawyer with Manchester Tramways

In front of the screen wall are a number of grave stones. The first one is J Loughlin 727 Private Manchester Regiment who died 18th February 1915.

J. Locklin

My research leads me to believe this could be the grave of an MCT employee who is on the MCT Memorial Plaque as Locklin J.

In the MCT Roll of honour is name is Joseph a car cleaner who was a private in the National Reserve.

Other records show that this person died in a railway accident down south while on guard duties with the Manchester Regiment and was reburied in Southern Cemetery roundabout 2005. I am 95% sure it is right, Can U help?

Nearby is the family grave of Henry Hallworth, Ref No K.CE.938. Henry was Private 20299 12th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment and died on 29th April 1915 aged 17 years.

He was the son of Henry and Clara Hallworth of 28 Downs Street Openshawe Manchester.
He was a Trolley Boy with Manchester Tramways.

A.N. Mather

So this Remembrance Week 2017 please try and pay a visit to Southern Cemetery. If you do not have a relative who fought in the Great War to visit, adopt one from the screen wall, say hello to that person and thank him for his sacrifice.

Also while you are there go into the wooden hut opposite the lodge for a fascinating history of Southern Cemetery and also an excellent exhibition on the Great War by historian David Harrop. You will not be disappointed.

If you have info on any of these employees or anyone else on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

Martin Logan © 2017

Pictures; from the collection of Martin Logan

REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS, another story from Martin Logan

The names of the Fallen

One hundred years ago on the 31st July 1917 the 3rd Battle of Ypres commenced.

By the time we reached October 1917 it was slowly drawing to a close. Today we know that Battle by the name of Passchendaele.

The images that are in ingrained in our minds is of a battle scarred landscape and the soldiers floundering and sometimes dying in mud up to their waists.

The Battle lasted for 103 days with close to a quarter of a million allied soldier casualties (dead, wounded or missing). Amongst those many casualties were 10 employees of Manchester Corporation Tramways who died during the month of October. PLEASE REMEMBER THEM

Gravestone of J Fogarty MM

FOGARTY J MM
John Fogarty – Guard - 19384 Corporal Acting /Sergeant –
21st Battalion Manchester (6th City PALS) D Company Platoon XVII
Died 4/10/1917 Tyne Cot Cemetery Grave ref: XXXIII.A.24 Country Belgium
Locality: West-Vlaanderen


WHITWORTH G A -
George A Whitworth - Aged 34 - Box Cleaner - 25954 Lance/Corporal 22nd Battalion Manchester  died 4/10/1917 New Irish Farm Cemetery Grave Reference: XXXll.D.11 Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen


SCOTT H
Harry Scott - Husband of Mary Beatrice Scott of 104 Church Street Newton Heath Manchester. Born in Manchester
Aged 32 Guard 21018 Private 11th Battalion Manchester
Died 7/10/1917 Dozinghem Military Cemetery Grave ref: VII.G.18 Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen

Names of the Fallen

McELROY W H
William Henry McElroy -  Guard 3/4951 Corporal 6th Batt York and Lancaster – died 09/10/1917 Tyne Cot Memorial Panel Reference: panel 125 to 128 Country: Belgium  Locality: West-Vlaanderen

SILLITOE W
William Sillitoe - Son of Moses & Mary Sillitoe of 48 Kirkmanshulme Lane Longsight Manchester - Parcel Messenger 22292 Private 23rd Battalion Manchester Died 16/10/1917 Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 120-124 & 162, 162A & 163A Country: Belgium  Locality: West-Vlaanderen


LEE W
William Lee - Son of Charles & Ann Lee - Husband of Helen of 23 Clifton Street Hulme Hall Lane Miles Platting Manchester. Aged 34 Guard 16114 Private 12th Battalion Manchester 19/10/1917 Duhallow A. D. S. Cemetery Grave Reference: VIII.G.18 Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen


MAYO F W
Husband of Lillian Mayo 70 Bonsall Street Hulme Manchester Aged 34
Driver 245531 Private 12th Battalion Manchester - Victory and British War Medals Died 20/10/1917 Dozinghem Military Cemetery Grave Reference: XI.G.4 Country: Belgium Locality: West- Vlaanderen

Joseph Stahler and others

STAHLER J A
Joseph Stahler – Lived at 24 Hereford St Ordsall Lane Salford - Labourer - 276321 Private 7th Battalion Manchester T.F 1st/7th Battalion Manchester 22/10/1917 Coxyde Military Cemetery Grave ref: 1V.H.11 Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen


BASNETT W F
William Fredrick - Cleaner 18798 Private 21st S Battalion Manchester
Died 24/10/1917 Tyne Cot Memorial Panel Reference: Panel 120 to 124 & 162 to 162A and 163A Country: Belgium, Locality: West-Vlaanderen


O'NEIL J H
James Henry - Driver 53363 Gunner 47th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery Died 29/10/1917 Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery Grave Reference: III.G.7 Country: Belgium Locality: West-Vlaanderen


If you have info on any of these employees or anyone else on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

© Martin Logan, 2017

Pictures; from the collection of Martin Logan, photo of Joseph Stahler from  "Manchesters in the Great War"

Another story from Martin Logan ....... REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS

The Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire is the home of the National Tramways Museum. 

Wall showing MCT, Leicester Tramways and Salford Tramways Memorials 

The museum provides a journey through the history of trams from horse, steam and electric trams. Its collection of 60 plus, and mostly working, trams from Britain and abroad is second to none.

It also houses an extensive archive of tramway history which takes in the period of the Great War 1914 – 1918. Currently as part of the Centenary of the Great War they have an exhibition titled Arms to Armistice telling the story of the many tramways employees who enlisted, fought and died in that horrific war.

Various trams at the museum

Part of this exhibition is about the Manchester Corporation Tramways WW1 Memorial Plaque.

In July during their Edwardian Weekend celebrations   I was asked to give a talk on my research into the 310 employees on that Plaque. Amongst the attendees were relatives of MCT employees Herbert Berry, died 1918 and George Leonard Collins, died 1918.

The exhibition also contains many artefacts from the Great War as well as film from the period and photos of the tramway employees. It houses a collection of Tramway Memorials dedicated to the hundreds of tramway employees who died during the war.

People in costume

One wall of the exhibition shows photos of the MCT Memorial Plaque, Leicester Tramways Memorial and Salford Tramways Memorial surrounded by the names of some of the 1,193 Tramways employees from 97 Tramway systems who lost their lives in the Great War.

It was a lovely weekend with many people dressed in Edwardian costume.  There were also people dressed in some of the uniforms those volunteers who went to war would have worn.

Many trams were working from double to single deckers carrying people through the Derbyshire countryside.

People in soldiers uniform.

The Tramway Village is open until November.

It is well worth a visit to see all the lovely restored trams in working order travelling up and down the tracks.

During your visit please do go and view the Arms to Armistice exhibition in the museum and remember all those tramways employees who once worked on those lovely trams and who would never come back.

If you have any info on any of the employees on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

Martin Logan,© 2017

Location;The Crich Tramway Village in Derbyshire

Pictures; from the collection of Martin Logan

Another story from Matin Logan .......REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS IN YPRES BELGIUM

The final act on our journey of remembrance in Belgium to locate the last resting places of the employees of Manchester Corporation Tramways who fought and died in the Great War took us away from the town of Ypres.

Talbot House, 2017

The town of Poperinge is a short train journey to the west of Ypres.

During the Great War the town was, like Ypres, in the small part of Belgium not occupied by the German Army.

It was far enough away from the battle strewn area of the Ypres Salient to be able to provide a safe resting place for the allied troops.

In December 1915 two army chaplains Neville Talbot and Philip “Tubby” Clayton purchased a building in the Town and opened a club called Talbot House (Toc H).

Grave of James Taylor, 2017

This house provided a quiet space for all the allied soldiers, regardless of rank, fighting in the area

Today that house, Talbot House – Everyman’s Club is still there providing a quite space from everyday life.

They still give free tea and cake to all those who pass through. It is also a museum telling the story of the house, the Great War and the many soldiers who passed through its doors. It is well worth a visit if ever you find yourself in Poperinge.

Ljssenthoek Cemetery. 2017

Just 4Kms to the south west of Poperinge lies the village of Lljssenthoek, which is were the Lljssenthoek Military Cemetery is situated.

The Cemetery contains the graves of 9,877 soldiers, the majority from the Commonwealth with a number of French and German casualties.

What makes Lljssenthoek unique is that most of the graves are identified. The reason for this is that there was a Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) established in the vicinity and so every wounded soldier who was treated was registered on entering its walls.
Lljssenthoek is the last resting place of an employee of Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT).

NAYLOR J
James Naylor was a trolley boy with MCT. He was gunner 705171 and served with “B” Battery 165th Brigade Royal Field Artillery. He died of his wounds on the 23rd October 1918 and is buried in Lljssenthoek Military Cemetery grave ref: XXXV.A.37

The Photo Wall

In 2009 the Lljssenthoek Project was created. Its purpose was to establish a visitor centre which eventually opened in 2012.

Its focus was to do research into the medical services and the stories of how the wounded soldiers were treated following their injuries in the battle area and who were brought to the CCS behind the lines.

Many thousands did not survive their wounds and they are buried at Lljssenthoek Military Cemetery.

To this end they have a Photo Wall within the visitor which shows the faces of the soldiers already found as a result of research. It is my intention to send them whatever info I have on James Naylor and a photo of him if I can locate one.

If you have any info on James Naylor or any other employee on the MCT Memorial Plaque please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

© Martin Logan, 2017-08-06

Location; Poperinge

Pictures; Talbot House and grave of James Naylor, from the collection of Martin Logan, 2017, and Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery and Visitor Centre Photo Wall.

One to do today and tomorrow ..... Remembering the men of the Manchester Tramways Department and the Great War at the National Tramways Museum at Crich.

Now I am planning to head out to Derbyshire this weekend to the National Tramways Museum at Crich.

It is somewhere I have always wanted to go and on Saturday and Sunday it is hosting an Edwardian Weekend.

Amongst the many events there will be a presentation by Martin Logan on those who went to fight in the Great War from the Manchester Corporation Tramways Department.

I first met Martin last year at the Manchester History Festival and was fascinated by his work highlighting the men from the Corporation Trams who participated in the conflict.

He now writes a regular piece for the blog and I am looking forward to his presentation.*

Memorial to the men who fought 

And after you have met Martin there will be plenty more to do and see.

According to the  Museum’guide the day it will be, "winding back the clock to the early 1900s during its Edwardian Weekend on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July, a time when the suffragette movement was in full swing and First World War soldiers patrolled the streets.

* Re-enactors, who will create a Suffragette Rally

* Talks around themes of gas warfare, grenades, the work of women and fashion from the period.

* A First World War Exhibition – Arms to Armistice

The Roll of Honour

* Martin Logan, from the Museum of Transport Manchester, will give a presentation on the Manchester Corporate Tramways World War I Memorial Plaque – The Not Forgotten Memorial.**

So quite a lot to take in.

Location; National Tramways Museum at Crich, Derbyshire





Pictures; from the collection of Martin Logan

*Martin Logan, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Martin%20Logan

** National Tramways Museum at Crich,  https://www.tramway.co.uk/

Revisiting a bit of Edwardian Britain this weekend in Derbyshire and a bit of Manchester history

Now I am planning to head out to Derbyshire this weekend to the National Tramways Museum at Crich.

Martin 

It is somewhere I have always wanted to go and on Saturday and Sunday it is hosting an Edwardian Weekend.

Amongst the many events there will be a presentation by Martin Logan on those who went to fight in the Great War from the Manchester Corporation Tramways Department.

I first met Martin last year at the Manchester History Festival and was fascinated by his work highlighting the men from the Corporation Trams who participated in the conflict.

He now writes a regular piece for the blog and I am looking forward to his presentation.*

Memorial to the men who fought 

And after you have met Martin there will be plenty more to do and see.

According to the  Museum’guide the day it will be, "winding back the clock to the early 1900s during its Edwardian Weekend on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July, a time when the suffragette movement was in full swing and First World War soldiers patrolled the streets.

* Re-enactors, who will create a Suffragette Rally

* Talks around themes of gas warfare, grenades, the work of women and fashion from the period.

* A First World War Exhibition – Arms to Armistice

The Roll of Honour

* Martin Logan, from the Museum of Transport Manchester, will give a presentation on the Manchester Corporate Tramways World War I Memorial Plaque – The Not Forgotten Memorial.**

So quite a lot to take in.

Location; National Tramways Museum at Crich, Derbyshire





Pictures; from the collection of Martin Logan

*Martin Logan, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Martin%20Logan

** National Tramways Museum at Crich,  https://www.tramway.co.uk/

Another story from Martin ........REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS IN YPRES BELGIUM

In my research of the Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) WW1 Memorial Plaque I found quite a few of the employees had been remembered on memorials and in cemeteries in and around the Belgium Town of Ypres.

Therefore it seemed only right that we visit this area of the Western Front to find them and to pay our respects to them.

In travelling by train from Didsbury Manchester to Ypres Belgium it was important that these memorials and cemeteries were located within easy reach of the town.

As I have previously written, The Menin Gate in Ypres, the centre of remembrance, contains the names of 19 MCT employees (see May Blog) and Ypres Reservoir Cemetery was the location of 3 employees’ graves (see June Blog).

Just on the outskirts of Ypres there are a couple of cemeteries were more of the MCT employees’ graves were located. So prior to our involvement in the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate Memorial we hired a taxi to take us to these cemeteries.

The old chateau grounds at Potijze is the site of three Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries which are located two and a half miles from Ypres and contain over 850 commonwealth burials of the First World War. They are Potijze Chateau Grounds, Potijze Chateau Lawn and Potijze Chateau Wood. Two of the MCT employees are buried in the Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery

SCHOLLAR A

Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery is the location of the grave of Arthur James Schollar who was employed as a Trolley Boy with MCT at the Hyde Road Car Shed Ardwick Manchester. He was Private S/40325 with the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.

He died on the 28th September 1918 and his grave reference is I.C.72. He was the son of James Edward & Rubina Mary Schollar of 19 Sherborne Street Gorton Manchester.

He was only 20 years of age when he died.
On many CWGC headstones there is an inscription from the family at the base.
For Arthur James it reads “Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Pray for Him”

WILLIAMS E

E. Williams .... "believed to be buried in this cemetery"

Another grave in the cemetery belongs to E Williams who was a coach painter with MCT.

He was 352322 Private with the Royal Army Medical Corps 2nd East Lancs Field Ambulance.

He was the son of Richard and Mary Williams of Pendleton Manchester.

The CWGC records show that he was the husband of Bertha Williams of 6 Green Walk Ainsdale Southport. Sadly to date I have not yet managed to ascertain his christian name.
His grave reference showed his location as being on a Special Memorial near The Great Cross. Beside this cross were a number of graves which had an inscription on the tops of the headstones and E William’s grave was amongst these.

The inscription reads as follows “Believed to be buried in this Cemetery” E Williams was 36 years old when he was killed on the 10th October 1917.

The family inscription at the base reads “Their Glory Shall not be Blotted Out”


TALBOT T H

Having paid our respects at Potijze Chateau Grounds the taxi then took us to The Menin Road South Military Cemetery.

This was the location of the grave of Thomas Henry Talbot grave reference I.U.33.  Thomas was a platelayer with MCT and served as 9772 Private 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

He died on the 7th August 1917 aged 43.

The family inscription at the base of the headstone reads as follows: “In the Midst of Life We are in Death. A Loving Husband & Father Sadly missed”.

If you have any info on these men or any other MCT Employee please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

                                                     LEST WE FORGET

© Martin Logan, 2017

Pictures; from the collection of Marin Logan

Another story from Martin ........REMEMBERING THE EMPLOYEES OF MANCHESTER CORPORATION TRAMWAYS IN YPRES BELGIUM

On our recent trip to the battlefields and cemeteries of the Western Front we stayed in the town of Ypres Belgium, see May Blog.   

Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders and is the epicentre of WW1 remembrance on the Western Front. It is the location of The Menin Gate Memorial whose many panels are inscribed with the names of over 54,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers whose remains were never found and subsequently have no know grave.

The primary aim of our visit was to locate the nineteen names of Manchester Corporation Tramways (MCT) employees on the Memorial Gate and to take part in the Last Post and wreath laying ceremonies.

However it was also to try and locate those MCT employees who have a grave and are buried in the various cemeteries within and surrounding Ypres.

During the war the area around the town became known as the Ypres Salient and was held by the allies throughout the war.

The first conflict known as First Ypres took place in October 1914 while Second Ypres occurred in April 1915.  The most famous Third Battle of Ypres otherwise known as Passchendaele took place during 1917.

The town of Ypres itself houses two cemeteries Ramparts Cemetery, beside the Menin Gate and Reservoir Cemetery, which is located to the North East of the town and is the last resting place of 1,579 indentified casualties of WW1.

My research of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website found that three of the MCT employees were buried in Reservoir Cemetery.

GREENFIELD H
Herbert Greenfield was a Guard with MCT. He was the son of Mrs R H Greenfield of 33 Anderton St, Queens Road Harpurhey Manchester and the late Mr W Greenfield.

He was 4966 Lance Sergeant of the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment. His 4-digit number suggests that he was either a reservist or an early volunteer recruit.

He died on the 7th December 1915 and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Grave Ref: l.A.20

STOCKDALE Hy

Henry Stockdale was also a guard with MCT. He was 300372 a Private with the 8th Battalion Manchester Regiment.

He died on the 12th September 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres and is also buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Grave Ref: l.D.14.

TANNER E A
Ernest Aubrey Tanner was a guard with MCT and probably worked at Princess Road Car Depot Moss Side.

He was the son of Edward and Elizabeth Thurfida Tanner and lived at 34 Monton Street Moss Side Manchester.
He was 275550 Lance Sergeant of the 7th Battalion Manchester Regiment. He died on the 8th September 1917 during Third Ypres. He is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery in Grave Ref: l.D.35.

If you have any info on these men or any other MCT Employee please contact me at martin.logan@btinternet.com or by mobile 07985490124

LEST WE FORGET

© Martin Logan, 2017



Pictures; from the collection of Marin Logan