WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2016 :: RMTnews 12 RMT members Andy Partington and Wayne McDonald have won a long campaign to restore the Word War One memorial to the 87 Manchester employees of the London and North Western Railway that died on the Western Front. Wayne McDonald told a packed, emotional ceremony in May that he was pleased to “finally get here”. “It’s been a long journey and there has been many ups and downs and twists and turns, but here we are today,” he said. The journey started about seven years ago when Andy and Wayne were on one of their frequent visits to the battlefields and cemeteries of the First World War in France and Flanders. One evening the pair discussed why Manchester Piccadilly station didn’t have a memorial to those lost in World War One. On their return they started digging around on the internet and found that the station had indeed had a memorial which was to the 87 men of the Goods department of London Road, as Piccadilly was then known. It transpired that this memorial was sadly lost in the redevelopment of the station in the 1960s as part of the then West Coast mainline electrification. Luckily a photograph existed of the memorial and was clear enough for them to see that it was inscribed with the names of 87 railwaymen who had given their lives for their country. “From this moment on it became our duty and our determination to remember their sacrifice and to honour them once again. “Through research we were able to identify almost 70 of those named and with help were privileged enough to be able to contact their living descendants many of whom attended the ceremony to unveil the new memorial,” he said. After years of badgering and never giving up Wayne and Andy finally convinced Virgin Trains and The Railway Heritage Trust to fund the new memorial. Andy Partington said that they couldn’t have done it alone and thanked Virgin Trains and The Railway Heritage Trust for their support and for Network Rail for allowing it to be placed a fitting place. “In particular Heather Hodkinson and Karen Grimshaw from Virgin Trains who have put up with our constant emails, phone calls and our cheekiness for so many years yet have continued to support us throughout. “Heartfelt thanks go to my wife Helen and daughter Ella and Wayne’s partner Stacey. “We have dragged you around the Somme for years in all weather’s in search of just one last photo and spent hours at home doing research yet you kept us refreshed with brews, food and support. “A huge Thank You to Philip Blyth from Mossford’s for designing and sculpting such a beautiful memorial and to Shelia Cross who has spent many hours helping us research the men and for being our connection with the families. “To the families we say thank you for allowing us the honour of remembering your relatives and we feel so humble to see so many of you here with us today. “And finally the biggest thank you goes to those to whom this memorial is dedicated,” he said. WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM RMT members win battle to get World War One memorial to rail workers restored in Manchester