Really Really Old Stuff - Any Help Appreciated

[SteveB47]

Hello to all

It's been a while since I was here. I've been busy writing two books.

I'm now researching a third book about my grandfather on my Dad's side. Both Dad and his father were called Frederick Bentley (my Dad was known as Fred to all and sundry). I know grandfather lived in Newark Street at one time (as late as the 1950s) next to the Antley pub, and close to my maternal grandmother (Cornwall).

I'm researching for a book about my grandfather's service in both World Wars in the Royal Navy. He was on the Prince of Wales when the Japs sunk it in 1941. I'm OK with the Navy bit apart from one thing.

So, I would love to know a few things:

• His Navy records show his occupation on joining in 1919 as a carter. I know what that is, but anyone any idea what a typical carter would have done in Accy in that era? Like who were the big employers at the time other than the mills or could it have been at the railway station?

• Does anyone know any local historical reason why a young lad from Accy would go all the way to Devonport to join the Navy? For example, was there a local recruiting drive?

• Finally, I have discovered that a navy training establishment was started named Accrington. Anyone have any info on that?

Thanks for reading this and get in touch please if you have any info no matter how inconsequential you may think it is.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I know this may sound a bit daft, but carters were like the removal folk.
They would pick up and deliver large items for people.
I suppose they were the DHL of the day.
If you had a horse and cart, you could always find work.
There was always someone who wanted to move house......sometimes late at night

[Margaret Pilkington]

here is some more information about the companies that employed carters.
I cannot take credit for it as it was passed to me by a very knowledgeable chap

There were many employed by Bulloughs
& Langs Bridges also other large manufacturers
like Broad Oak and such employed them or used them
to take goods to and from the Rail Station, when I was a kid
we used to wait at the bottom of Adelaide st for Bulloughs
horses. The drovers would lift us on to their backs, and we
would hold on to their manes till we got to the big field
now occupied by the college of knowledge in Sandy Lane
When I started at Langs just as the war ended they still used a
self employed carter to bring special sands from the railway
sidings in Charter St to, Langs moulding shop.

I hope this helps you.

[bananagood]

So good
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[cashman]

Was a Pat Cornwall lived on Newark St in 60s, dunno what became of her, a slim lass and always seemed ok to me.

[Margaret Pilkington]

I have been asked to pass on the info that their was a recruiting station for the Royal Navy in Accrington. It also recruited for the Royal Marines. It was known as the Accrington Out Station
It operated between the years of 1909 to 1919.
If you passed the medical you were given a rail docket to the Naval Depot.

Again, this information came from someone in the know... I take no credit for it.

[SteveB47]

Originally Posted by cashman

Was a Pat Cornwall lived on Newark St in 60s, dunno what became of her, a slim lass and always seemed ok to me.

Thanks Cashman, Pat is my cousin and lives in London. She has lived there for ages after a few years moving about as an 'Army wife' as she married a soldier.

Yes, I agree she is "alright"

She was the eldest of my Mum's twin Jack Cornwall. You may know my other cousins who also lived in Newark Street at one time before moving to Dill Hall Lane - Joan, Keith and Michael Boast. All three still live in Accy as does their Mum (my aunt) who turned 100 in February.

[SteveB47]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I have been asked to pass on the info that their was a recruiting station for the Royal Navy in Accrington. It also recruited for the Royal Marines. It was known as the Accrington Out Station
It operated between the years of 1909 to 1919.
If you passed the medical you were given a rail docket to the Naval Depot.

Again, this information came from someone in the know... I take no credit for it.

Margaret that is so helpful, as is the information about carters and the railway station.

Will you please pass on my gratitude to the person who gave you this information.

Also please check here from time to time as some more questions may arise.

I really appreciate you taking the time and trouble to respond.

[Margaret Pilkington]

You are welcome Steve.
I will most certainly pass on your appreciation.....and as you can see from my post count, I am a very regular visitor to the site...daily visits are my habit.
If I find out anything else I will post it.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by SteveB47

Thanks Cashman, Pat is my cousin and lives in London. She has lived there for ages after a few years moving about as an 'Army wife' as she married a soldier.

Yes, I agree she is "alright"

She was the eldest of my Mum's twin Jack Cornwall. You may know my other cousins who also lived in Newark Street at one time before moving to Dill Hall Lane - Joan, Keith and Michael Boast. All three still live in Accy as does their Mum (my aunt) who turned 100 in February.

Ok ta. pleased to know shes alright,

[Frank T]

Hi SteveB47, I`ve just found your enquiry, in the early 1960s there was a Jack Cornwall at Holy Family school he lived somewhere off Willows Lane, I last saw him about 1969 in the Willow Mount WMC where he was a member. Maybe someone from either mentioned location could help. Best of luck with your search.

[SteveB47]

Originally Posted by Frank T

Hi SteveB47, I`ve just found your enquiry, in the early 1960s there was a Jack Cornwall at Holy Family school he lived somewhere off Willows Lane, I last saw him about 1969 in the Willow Mount WMC where he was a member. Maybe someone from either mentioned location could help. Best of luck with your search.

Thanks, Frank. If you saw him in 1969 I doubt it was my uncle Jack Cornwall (my mother's twin brother) as to the best of my recollection he died before then. He was born in 1924 so would not be at school in the early 1960s.

But thanks for your interest and taking the trouble to let me know.

[SteveB47]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

You are welcome Steve.
I will most certainly pass on your appreciation.....and as you can see from my post count, I am a very regular visitor to the site...daily visits are my habit.
If I find out anything else I will post it.

Hello Margaret. I was prompted into updating you owing to a recent reply to my query. Since your last update John Simpson of Accrington Library has been most helpful particularly in regards to the Accrington Outpost - the Royal Navy recruiting office.

He even went as far as sending me a microfiche page from the records in 1915 showing my grandfather's date of signing up along with the names of others. I attach them to this reply. You may have to magnify them to read them.

My grandfather's entry is third from the bottom. The photos show the left and right hand side of the entries. Most are "approved" but check out the couple that aren't. One show 'Spine curvature- and another 'Absconded en route.'

These new recruits were given a travel warrant and then they made their own way to usually wither Plymouth for Devonport, or Portsmouth. Clearly, one of these potential boy sailors changed his mind.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Thank you Steve.
These thumbnails are deceiving....you can tap on them and the site enlarges them.
I am pleased that you received good information and help from the library.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Steve....not sure if this will be any good to you, but I will post it anyway.
I got it off Ancestry.com.
I hope you haven't got it already.

If you want a better copy for your records then let me have an e-mail address where I can send it, but PM this to me rather than post it on here.