John_Hartley Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 On and off for several months, I have been researching my great uncle Ben (who appears in my "signature"). He was almost a forgotten soldier. There are no photos of him. No newspapers of the time reported his death. He has no marked grave (Only a "known to be buried in this cemetery"). And his name was never inscribed on a local war memorial. Until now. Over the months, I have been in discussion with Stockport Council asking them to add him to the town war memorial (which is inside the art gallery). They agreed in principle but the wheels have turned slowly. I visited the gallery this morning and feel very proud to share this photo of the newly amended "addenda panel" with my Pals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark A Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 That's brilliant John, really. Good for you for persevering. I am similarly engaged in some family research and I'm sure anyone who has done it, or any kind of research knows the frustrations... and what the victories feel like. Brilliant. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliecoco Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Hi, Thats excellent John, you must be really chuffed! Well done! Just Worthington now! I hope to meet you on the 27th at the PRO. Alie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Great effort John. Well done. Regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Burgoyne Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Great, and well done John. Annette Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 John That's excellent news,well done. Regards Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Dixon Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 John, Congratulations, what a great result! Well done Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 John, Excellent result for you and the name of Ben Hartley will now be remembered. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevew Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Well done John, You must be really pleased Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 John: you done good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike10764 Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Well done John - perseverance has it's own rewards Regards ...Spike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest A Mafia Man Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Well done indeed. It is no mean feat to get something like this to a successful conclusion. Champion Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Morgan Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Yes, well done, and you must be really pleased that the name has been added so carefully and well. Obviously a well cared-for memorial, and you'd never know the name has only recently been added. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 What a wonderful and appropriate achievement. You should feel proud of yourself. I hope you've alerted the local newspaper to the story? It would make a very touching local interest piece, especially with some background material from you. I will have a look in the art gallery next time I'm in Stockport with some time to spare. Where is it? Is it near that building which resembles a wedding cake with terrible taste in icing designs? Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenwoodman Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Congratulations, John. Another one remembered. And for Tom Morgan, the Stockport Memorial has recently had a facelift! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 6 January , 2004 Author Share Posted 6 January , 2004 Tom - I was surprised how new it all looked. The addenda panel was started in 1925 and it all still looks brand new. You can see a picture of the memorial at carlscam.com. Gwyn - I think when you refer to the wedding cake, you mean our wonderful town hall. If so, yes, it's on the opposite side of the A6 traffic lights (in front of the college building). Closed for few days and looking like a building site while they set up a new exhibition. I had to blag my way in this morning. Me, I can do charm when I put my mind to it. I will be letting the local paper know in the next few days. Could be quite a good "hook" for them - forgotten for 90 years, etc. As Tom knows, I am writing up Benjamin's story and now I have all the info can finish it of. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWills Posted 6 January , 2004 Share Posted 6 January , 2004 John, Do I see a two page feature and an appeal for information on Worthington - wouldn't it be good if you could trace some family and some more information? Well done with Ben - not many of us have managed corrections to war memorials and this one comes with the express involvement of the family. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will O'Brien Posted 7 January , 2004 Share Posted 7 January , 2004 Congratulations John, I am so pleased that your hard work has resulted in this. Raising a glass to both you & Ben tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 7 January , 2004 Share Posted 7 January , 2004 What is Ben's story ? Gwyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinglma Posted 7 January , 2004 Share Posted 7 January , 2004 John That's really a very impressive and moving result. All the best Mike S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 8 January , 2004 Author Share Posted 8 January , 2004 Bit of an update on this:- 1) the local weekly paper, the Stockport Express, may well be running a story in next week's edition about this. I was at the memorial this morning having my photo taken (I really am not photogenic). 2) My "publisher" tells me that Pals can read "Lost and Found" - the search for Benjamin here at Hellfire Corner John (PS: thanks for all your comments) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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