Saughall Station. From the book, “Saughall: A Social History,” by Anne Stuart.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMr. Barlow looked me over. “You look a smart lad,” he said.<\/p>\n
The village Station Master played a big part in the life of the village and was a very important man. He took me into his Station Masters office, which was all spick and span.<\/p>\n
“Sit down,” he said, “I want to talk to you.”<\/p>\n
“You have not got a father to keep you in hand have you?”<\/p>\n
“No Sir,” I said.<\/p>\n
“Well I shall do that. I have been having a talk to your mother.”<\/p>\n
And during the years that followed he certainly kept his word.<\/p>\n
I was now growing up and the next few years were very interesting. My job as a boy porter at the Village station at Saughall covered all sorts of duties.<\/p>\n
Other staff employed was a signalman, who as you probably know, worked in the signalbox to control the running of trains. Also employed was a clerk who did all the clerical work.<\/p>\n
The signalman, a Mr. Hallows, was a jolly fellow who was always getting me into hot water with the Station Master. I always remember this gentleman was always reading Blood and Thunder books. He was a big strong fellow, but he had a wonderful sense of humour.<\/p>\n
Even though I was working and earning 11\/6 per week, I was still very interested in sport and spent all my spare time with my pals playing football or cricket.<\/p>\n
It was about this time when the second tragedy in the life of our family happened.<\/p>\n
Chapter 8<\/h2>\n We were playing cricket, myself, my brother Harold, and the lads of the village. Harold was wicket keeper.<\/p>\n
The lad who was batting, a chum of mine who’s name it would not be right to mention. He swung his bat round striking my brother on the head. Harold fell to the ground. I ran across from where I was fielding.<\/p>\n
He lay there motionless. I along with my pals were stunned. We had not seen anything like this happen before.<\/p>\n
He was taken to our little house further up the village. I cannot recollect how he was taken there. My dear mother was grief stricken.<\/p>\n
He lay unconscious for three days down stairs on the sofa. He peacefully passed away without a word from his lips.<\/p>\n
As young as I was, 15 years old, this affected me very much. He was a dear brother to me.<\/p>\n
When he was buried the whole village turned out (he was buried with our dear father in the village churchyard).<\/p>\n
Our poor mother. Why should these things happen to such a good and simple human being, who had worked so hard to bring us up, and just when the tide was turning a little and we were not so poor.<\/p>\n
This second tragedy in our family life affected my mother more than I can explain in print. For a long time she was a heartbroken, grief stricken woman.<\/p>\n
My brother Harold’s clothes was hung behind the bedroom door for such a long time. Our mother would not let us move them.<\/p>\n
She even used to put an apple or orange in his jacket pocket. “He is still here,” she used to say, “he will come get them.”<\/p>\n
I was now the youngest child and a great affection grew between my mother and myself.<\/p>\n
Chapter 9<\/h2>\n I have not up to now written anything about my brother Eric and sister Ida who were now growing up, Eric being about 18 and Ida 14. I shall try in this chapter to tell you of our family life together, of my mother, brother and sister until I reached the age of 20. I shall not mention my job on the railway in this period. I hope to write a chapter about this later.<\/p>\nWorkers at Shotwick House. Eric Mercer (Tricky) is the boy in front, bottom left.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMy sister Ida was a very attractive young lady. She was also a very good singer and quite often she would sing the solo part in various events which used to take place. My sister and myself had a great affection for each other. I regret to say that I couldn’t say the same about my brother Eric. He made my mother’s life hell.<\/p>\n
He took to drinking at a very early age. We used to dread him coming home from the pub.<\/p>\n
While in fairness to him, I could never remember him striking my mother, it was the things he used to say, not only to my mother, but to Ida and myself. Many a time I have come home to find my mother crying. She used to say “What have I done to deserve this? Why is he like this? Whatever will happen to him?”<\/p>\n
My brother Eric also had a good side of his make-up. When he was not drunk he could be very likeable. He was also very generous as you will read later.<\/p>\n
There seemed to be two groups of lads of the village. The older ones of my brother Eric’s age and the younger ones of my age. There has always been rivalry between us and plenty of fights took place and the younger gang didn’t always lose.<\/p>\n
One very interesting battle took place one day. A wall used to divide one group from another. We picked up grass sods* to throw at each other. (*Grass sods – containing grass and the roots, also quite a lot of earth and bits of stones, etc, which used to cling to it). It was a case of putting your head over the wall and seeing if the other gang could hit you with this nasty grass sod.<\/p>\n
This day my brother Eric put his head above the wall and Wham! what a shot, I got him full in the face. This turned out to be quite a rather serious matter. His face was cut and a lot of the earth had gone into his eyes.<\/p>\n
I was in trouble. I thought it’s a cert our Eric would kill me when he was better, but he took it all in good part.<\/p>\n
The saying “blood is thicker than water” in my opinion is very true. Quite a number of times, if I was getting the worst of a fight, our Eric would come in and finish off. He was really tough.<\/p>\n
Another trick we used to play, where two houses with doors near to each other, we used to tie them together with string and knock on both doors and hide around the corner and watch the performance when they are both trying to open the door at the same time.<\/p>\n
My Christmas present from my mother was always a big rubber ball which she used to buy for me because I was so mad about football. I soon wore out a pair of shoes.<\/p>\n
I also was taking quite an interest in girls now and dancing in the village hall. I used to get on very well with the young ladies. One young lady of the village was very keen on me and would follow me all over. I couldn’t say I felt the same about her. She was a really good dancer and the boys of the village was all keen to dance with her, but they had to ask me first.<\/p>\n
Chapter 10<\/h2>\nStan’s grandmother, Edith Dodd. Year unknown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMy brother Eric was still continuing his beer drinking habits, and some of his pals were as bad as him. I remember one day in the house there was a large jar of pickled onions. One of his pals bet him a penny he couldn’t eat the full jar of onions. This he did and for another penny he drank the vinegar and wasn’t even sick.<\/p>\n
I must be fair to my brother and say he also had his funny side. He had some very good points.<\/p>\n
My sister Ida was now about 18 years old. (The following is crossed out – “was a very attractive girl” – DM)<\/em><\/p>\nThe next village to ours was a place called Sealand. This place had a big aerodrome.<\/p>\n
In those days there was no such thing as a parachute and if the aeroplane went wrong it was a case of the pilot jumping out and falling to his death, or staying in the plane hoping he would stand a better chance of survival. These planes were crashing quite regular and it stands out in my memory of seeing a human being suddenly leave the plane and crash to his death. We always used to go to these crashed planes and get parts for souvenirs.<\/p>\n
I always remember a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease. There were a lot of farms in the village and all the cattle in every farm was destroyed through this terrible disease. They used to dig a big hole then shoot the cattle. This included cows, sheep, pigs or any other animal on the farm. I cannot remember if this applied to domestic animals such as a cat and dog. Then they would burn them. I remember the smoke and stench from these animals blowing across the village. This lasted for about two weeks.<\/p>\n
Chapter 11<\/h2>\n As I said in my previous chapter, my sister Ida was a very attractive girl. To her sorrow, and my mother’s as you will hear, she fell in love with an airman from the aerodrome at Sealand. This young boy came from London. He was a likeable chap but like all Cockneys was very bombastic.<\/p>\n
My mother told me Ida was having a baby and she would be getting married. I cannot remember when or where she got married.<\/p>\n
I remember one winter morning, it must have been around 4 am, when my mother got me up. You had better go and fetch the nurse. My sister had a little girl, she named her Joyce. Her husband, his name was Bernard, was not there. He had gone home to see his mother in London. My sister Ida told me she thought he had another woman in London.<\/p>\n
He returned after the event and I could see he didn’t show very much interest in his baby daughter.<\/p>\n
He used to live at the aerodrome camp at Sealand, and my sister, along with my mother, brother and myself lived in our one up one down little house. How we did it I don’t know.<\/p>\n
One Sunday morning Ida’s husband (Bernard) was at home with us. For some reason he struck my sister Ida. This was too much for our Eric to see his sister hit. A terrific fight took place in our cobbled yard between my brother Eric and Ida’s husband Bernard. It took four grown men to get our Eric off Bernard. In time he would have killed him.<\/p>\n
This taught this Cockney fellow a lesson he never forgot. We might be country yokels, but we could certainly stand up for ourselves. Eric and Bernard after that seemed to get on very well together.<\/p>\n
Bernard, my brother-in-law, kept having trips to London, to see his mother he used to say, but even I could notice that things weren’t as they should be between him and my sister.<\/p>\n
Chapter 12<\/h2>\n Life still carried on in the village of Saughall. My brother Eric still drinking heavily, and was constantly getting into fights. My mother was still working very hard. My brother Eric would occasionally go up to the school at night to stoke the boiler fire up.<\/p>\n
It was about this time that my sister expected her second child, a daughter who she named Daphne. It was me again who was got up by my mother in the early hours to fetch the District Nurse.<\/p>\n
We saw less and less of her husband Bernard, who had now left the local aerodrome and was stationed in the London area. The outcome of this was he had another woman in London and had no further interest in my sister or her children. This was very bad on my mother and sister and the whole family. I remember my sister applying for a poor woman’s divorce. This cost \u00a35, which in those days was a fortune. We scraped it together somehow.<\/p>\n
My sister was now left with two young children to bring up. Our dear mother never grumbled. She carried on doing the best to keep us all together.<\/p>\n
I must say here that the nice side of our brother Eric was the way he used to look after the two children.<\/p>\n
He would very often bring some new clothes for them from Chester or take them out for the day. The youngest child, Daphne, used to worship him and many a time when he was drunk, she could get him to see sense.<\/p>\n
I think at this time that our Eric had a fairly sound job (painting).<\/p>\n
I was now approaching the age of 20 years and in the next chapter I shall tell you of the event which happened which changed my life, of which I thank God.<\/p>\n
Chapter 13<\/h2>\n I was just 20 years old and working and enjoying my life as a boy porter at Saughall Station. Mr. Barlow the Station Master sent for me. “Sit down Stanley,” he said.<\/p>\n
His face was a little stern. “Whatever was he going to say to me,” I thought.<\/p>\n
“You are 20 years old now Stanley aren’t you?” I said, “Yes sir, I am.”<\/p>\n
He opened a drawer and placed in front of him a letter. “You are now above the age for a lad porter, which means you will have to leave this Station.”<\/p>\n
I was spellbound by his remark. Surely this will mean the sack for me.<\/p>\n
“Don’t look so worried,” he said, “it’s not as bad as that.” I waited while he read the letter to himself.<\/p>\n
“They are offering you a job as a carriage cleaner at Sheffield,” he said, “at \u00a32 a week.” “You must understand that if you don’t accept it you will lose your job on the railway.”<\/p>\n
“Sheffield,” I said, “where is that?”<\/p>\n
“It’s a long way and you will have to go into lodging and you will have to take care of yourself. Sheffield is a large city.”<\/p>\n
I had never been so far away in my life before. The farest I had been was a Sunday School trip to New Brighton.<\/p>\n
I walked home after my time of duty was finished. I could not believe what Mr. Barlow the Station Master had said to me was true.<\/p>\n
I sat down to my tea. “Mother,” I said, “I’ve got to leave home. They want to send me to Sheffield to work.”<\/p>\n
My dear mothers face. “They want to what?” she said.<\/p>\n
I didn’t know how to tell her properly, but at last she realised it was true what I was saying.<\/p>\n
“I shan’t let you go, we will manage somehow.” But at the bottom of my own heart I knew I must accept this, although I never said this to my mother.<\/p>\n
Although I was now 20, I was still the baby of the family and was my mother’s boy. She shed many silent tears over this going away.<\/p>\n
My brother Eric didn’t seem to take much interest in this, although he might have done inwardly. My sister Ida, who was always a very dear sister to me, was upset about this, but knew like myself I must take this new venture in my life.<\/p>\n
I informed Mr. Barlow, the Station Master, that I would go to Sheffield to this new job offered to me.<\/p>\n
“Sit down Stanley, I have a little bit of advice to give you,” he said. “You are leaving home for the first time. You are going amongst people you have never seen before. You are going to work in a city which is one of the worst in the country for crime.”<\/p>\n
I should mention that Sheffield at that time was noted for its gangs who used to attack people with razors even if you was walking along a street and had nothing at all to do with anyone else. They were known as “Razor Gangs”.<\/p>\n
“My advice to you Stanley is this. Look after yourself. Don’t get mixed up with these people. Always keep yourself clean. ‘Soap and water is very cheap.’ Always use your manners, and be prepared to take advice, and don’t forget to write home regular to your mother.”<\/p>\n
“Thankyou sir,” I said, “I shall remember what you said to me.”<\/p>\n
Chapter 14<\/h2>\n I had just about a week to go before the great day arrived and I made my way into a new part of the world.<\/p>\n
My dear mother was still very upset about it, but had now accepted the fact that I shall have to leave her for the first time in my life.<\/p>\n
My sister Ida and myself went to Chester to buy the various clothes I needed to leave home with, including two large cases to put my luggage in.<\/p>\n
The day of my departure was a Monday morning, the train left Saughall station at 8:40 am.<\/p>\n
My mother was up and about very early as usual, also my sister. I felt a very important person, so much trouble was being taken by my mother and sister to see me on my way safe and sound.<\/p>\n
My brother Eric left early doors for work, all he said was “Cheerio.”<\/p>\n
It was getting near train time and was about a mile walk to the station. “Don’t come with me to the station Mam,” I said, “I will be alright.” My mother put her arm around me tears running down her face, “No I won’t come to the station,” she said.<\/p>\n
I walked down the village, my sister carried one case, I carried the other. My mother saw us out of sight waving a white handkerchief, which I knew was wet with tears.<\/p>\n
I took it all very well and did not let my feelings get the better of me.<\/p>\n
Ida and me stood on the platform waiting for the train to arrive. The station where I had served 5 years as a lad porter.<\/p>\n
The Station Master shook my hand. “Don’t forget what I told you,” he said. I found the train and was on my way to a new life.<\/p>\n
I waved goodbye to me dear sister, who by now had let her tears get top side of her.<\/p>\n
Chapter 15<\/h2>\n The train journey was about 4 hours. I took a real interest in my journey. The people who was in the train with me seemed to tell I was a bit lost, but was very kind.<\/p>\n
It was about 12:30 p.m. when the train pulled into Sheffield Victoria Station. Crowds of people getting on and off the train. I got out and stood on the platform. I had never seen so many people or railway staff. I felt like getting the next train back home, I was so scared.<\/p>\n
I plucked up courage to speak to a porter. “Would you please tell me where the Station Masters office is, please?”<\/p>\n
“Tha’ wants to be on number three platform,” he said. “Thal’ have to see Chief Clerk first. You have to make an appointment to see the Station Master.”<\/p>\n
I made my way to number three platform. I knocked on a door which said Chief Clerk. “Come in,” a voice said.<\/p>\n
I opened the door, about 6 people stared at me as if I was an alien from space. “Could I see the Chief Clerk please?” I said. “He’s gone to lunch. You will have to wait outside.”<\/p>\n
I stood on number three platform for about 45 minutes, then I was called into the office.<\/p>\n
The Chief Clerk occupied a smaller office at the far end of the General Office. “Go and knock at that door,” a voice said, “the Chief Clerk is now back from lunch.” I knocked at the door and was invited in.<\/p>\n
The Chief Clerk (or Assistant Station Master as they were known) was seated at his desk. I don’t know why, but I took an instant dislike to him.<\/p>\n
“Who are you,” he said, “and where have you come from?”<\/p>\n
I informed him I came from Saughall near Chester and had to report to Sheffield today for a job as a carriage cleaner.<\/p>\n
He waded through some papers on his desk. “I don’t know anything about you coming here,” he said.<\/p>\n
“What is going to happen to me now?” I thought, “I shall probably be sent back home.”<\/p>\n
He picked up the phone and spoke to someone a long way off. I could tell by the conversation that he had not been informed about me. He put the phone down.”It is now 2 pm, ” he said, “go and find some lodging and come back and work until 5 pm.”<\/p>\n
“Could you tell me where I could find some accommodation?”<\/p>\n
“That’s your job to do that. Ask some of the lads on the platform if they know of anywhere.”<\/p>\n
I walked onto the platform carrying my two cases. I thought of home and my family I had left, but still I had to go through with it.<\/p>\n
I approached a gentleman in uniform. I told him my story and that I wanted to find lodging. He was very kind to me.<\/p>\n
“I think one of our chaps takes in lodgers,” he said, “I’ll take you to him.”<\/p>\n
I was introduced to a gentleman called E. Lowe, who was a carriage cleaner like myself.<\/p>\n
“Well,” he said, “I can’t take you home until 5 p.m. when I have finished work. I think the wife will be able to put you up.”<\/p>\n
It was then 3 p.m. I hung around until 5 p.m. when Mr. Lowe was finished work. I called again into the office to inform them I would not be back today for work, as I was not going to find my lodging until 5 pm.<\/p>\n
“Alright,” said the Chief Clerk, “start work at 8 am in the morning.”<\/p>\n
E. Lowe met me at 5 p.m. prompt and persisted in carrying both my cases. I had my first ride on a Sheffield Tram. We arrived at Hanover Street where Mr. Lowe lived. It was a 1-1\/2 tram journey.<\/p>\n
I was introduced to his wife. “Can you put him up?” Ernest said, also explaining where I had come from and that I should be working at the station with him.<\/p>\n
After a bit of thought, Mrs. Lowe said, “Yes I will. You know it will be 25\/- per week.” This I agreed to and a very happy association followed.<\/p>\n
Chapter 16<\/strong><\/h2>\nStan with Carriage Cleaners in Sheffield. Stan is second from the left, looking out of the carriage window.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMy first day as a carriage cleaner at Sheffield. I was taken to the station by my new found friend, E. Lowe. Mrs. Lowe packed us up something to eat. Cocoa and cheese sandwiches with a piece of parkin.<\/p>\n
Cocoa and parkin seemed to be my regular diet packed up by Mrs. Lowe for a long time. I didn’t like to tell her I wasn’t so keen on cocoa or I would like a change from parkin.<\/p>\n
We arrived at the station at about 7:55 where I met my new workmaster.<\/p>\n
About six of these chaps were about my age, and after a time we formed a real friendship. We used to go out together to dances and social events attached to the railway at that time. We decided to form a dance band of our own, a drummer, a pianist, violinist, and myself on the banjo. We used to play at Saturday night hops, sixpence a time. The only fault with my banjo was the strap kept breaking.<\/p>\n
I was settling down nicely in Sheffield and had found some real good pals. I used to write home quite regular, and also I used to receive letters from a certain young lady from Saughall.<\/p>\n
I liked Yorkshire people very much, always so friendly and helpful. I think one of their faults, if it is a fault, was they always seemed to know more than anyone else. Their opinion was always right and if you differed they looked at you as if you were mental. I still find this fault with a lot of Yorkshire people.<\/p>\n
Although a “foreigner” to Sheffield, as they called anyone who had come to live on their sacred soil, I could always stand my ground and being this way inclined helped me a lot. You had to stick up to those Sheffielders.<\/p>\n
Chapter 17<\/h2>\n Although I was now turned 20 years of age, I still had never drunk beer or smoked. I was very fit and took a great interest in sport.<\/p>\n
In a large city like Sheffield sport played a big part in your leisure hours, and if you were good at sports there was always room for you.<\/p>\n
I was approached by the secretary of the sports section and asked if I was interested in football. I said I played a little.<\/p>\n
After about a fortnight I was informed I was first reserve for the second team. I nearly told him what to do with it. First reserve for the second team.<\/p>\n
I was informed by E. Lowe that you had to be good to get in the Railway football team.<\/p>\n
I did turn up as requested as first reserve for the second team, and was picked to play because they were one short. The position I played was outside left. A gentleman came to me after the match (I didn’t know who he was). “I see you’ve played the game before Lad,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Yes, I have played a little bit before.”<\/p>\n
“Keep it up Lad, you never know you might get into the first team someday.”<\/p>\n
I did get into the first team in a very short time and played for them for a number of years. We had some great games of football. They were a grand set of lads. We had a trainer who was very strict.<\/p>\n
We played in a works league where competition was very keen. You had to be able to stand being knocked about and kicked. My weight in those days was only about 10 stone. I was still a non-smoker and drinker.<\/p>\n
Chapter 18<\/h2>\n I was settling down very well in Yorkshire. I made some very good friends amongst people of my own age. I was very friendly with quite a lot of young ladies but never took them serious. I was still receiving letters to my digs in Hanover Street from a certain young lady from Saughall, who was still very keen on me.<\/p>\n
I used to go home quite regular to see my dear mother who was now accepting my new job in life, but she always shed a tear when I returned back to Sheffield.<\/p>\n
It was at about this time I received a rather sad letter from my mother regarding my brother Eric. She informed me he had been going out with a young woman who was now expecting a baby. Would I come over and talk to him about it? He was not going to marry her.<\/p>\n
This to me was a shocking thing. I wrote back to my mother to tell her I would be coming home to see if I could help.<\/p>\n
Much to my surprise, our Eric was very cooperative. He took me to a place called Connah’s Quay to meet her. This young lady could really tell a good tale, much to my regret I fell for it, and as young as I was, I was going to do my upmost to get our Eric to marry her.<\/p>\n
I got him to agree to do this, and even on the day of the wedding it would not have taken him long to back out of it.<\/p>\n
A baby was born which was dead at birth.<\/p>\n
The very sad thing of this affair was that, during an argument between Eric and his wife, she informed him it was not his child. This upset both him and my mother very much.<\/p>\n
Chapter 19<\/h2>\n He threw her out of the house and has never seen her since. I felt partly responsible for this, if only I had kept out of it. I always felt if our Eric had met the right kind of girl and had children he would have been a very different man, because he loved children.<\/p>\n
After this he still carried on with his old ways of getting drunk regular and upsetting my mother. I felt sorry for my brother Eric, I was so sorry this had happened to him.<\/p>\n
Anyway, life had to go on, and I carried on my job as a carriage cleaner in Sheffield.<\/p>\n
I think I should mention here a bit about the Sheffield football teams, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, and why I turned out to be a keen United supporter.<\/p>\n
The first match I saw in Sheffield was a first division match between Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton. This was a great thrill for me, although I had read about these great sides in the first division, I had never seen them play. Sheffield Wednesday had a great side in those days and won the first division.<\/p>\n
The greatest impression formed on me was the crowd of about 40,000. I had never seen anything like it. I was on the popular side of the ground known as the spion kop (why I don’t know). On this side of the ground you were really among fanatics and I was amazed at the action and talk, I am afraid it did not form a good impression on me. I decided I would go and see the football team at the other side of the city, Sheffield United. I cannot give you a real reason, but I became a United supporter from then on. The atmosphere at Sheffield United’s ground was so different from Sheffield Wednesday’s. The supporters seemed to be so friendly and seemed to talk more sense.<\/p>\n
I followed Sheffield United everywhere and was one of their most loyal supporters, as I am to this day. Although for years, as I do now, I lived quite near to Sheffield Wednesday’s ground, I could never change my views.<\/p>\n
Chapter 20<\/h2>\nStan and three unknown friends. I think this is from some years after the period he wrires about here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI had now really settled down in Sheffield and, although I was a country lad at heart, I became very attached to the Yorkshire people who were wonderful to me. My pals at work, Mr. and Mrs. Lowe who took to me as if I was one of their own children. I don’t know how to put it into print, but to me the Yorkshire people was so different from the people of Cheshire. Perhaps it was because I had been brought up amongst two distinct classes. The rich and the poor.<\/p>\n
Although I liked to go home to Chester, I was getting a feeling I should not like to go back to live there (but I would not tell my mother this).<\/p>\n
I was not getting much money on the railway, but, being a non-smoker and non-drinker, I could manage to carry on, but was unable to save any.<\/p>\n
I was still enjoying my football and was quite successful as a footballer for the Railway. They used to allow me time off work to play.<\/p>\n
I used to go to quite a lot of dances and had quite a lot of girl friends, which I never took serious.<\/p>\n
Next door to where I lived in Hanover Street was four daughters who was relatives to my landlady, Mrs. Lowe. I always remember they called them Gladys, Nellie, Jenny and Gerty. They also had a brother Jack, we became good pals and used to go out a lot together.<\/p>\n
We certainly liked the girls and we were always making dates with the young ladies.<\/p>\n
Chapter 20<\/h2>\n (Stan had two chapters numbered 20 – DM)<\/p>\n
In this chapter I want to relate the most wonderful thing that happened to me in my whole life.<\/p>\n
I met my very dear wife, who I loved so dearly, and do to this day. She has given me so many years of happiness and we have stuck together through thick and thin. I cannot thank her enough for all the wonderful time we have shared. I must not let my feelings get the better of me, so I should tell you how I met her, and the years that followed.<\/p>\n
As I have said, I lodged with Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, and from time to time she was visited by three young persons who lived quite near in Brookhill. Although they were not relatives to Mr. and Mrs. Lowe, they were relatives to a dear old lady who was living with Mrs. Lowe by the name of Mrs. Davy.<\/p>\n
The names of these three young persons were Pam, Iris and Ruby Pearce. Pam being about my age and Iris and Ruby a bit younger.<\/p>\nA young Pam Pearce. This would appear to be a street in Sheffield. Note the tram in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n“And then it happened.” Pam and I fell in love.<\/p>\n
At this time, if my memory is correct, Pam was courting a young man who had gone to America, and I was still receiving letters from a young lady at Chester, and going dancing and meeting quite a lot of young ladies.<\/p>\n
Although Pam and I were going out together, neither Mr. and Mrs. Lowe or Pam”s family knew about this. I think I should relate how they found out. I remember this quite well.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe took a great interest in me and always tried to keep me on the straight and narrow path and always asked me where I had been. On this particular day I had been on the 6 – 2 turn, it was late afternoon and I was sat dozing in the chair, and she had a visit from Mrs. Pearce, Pam”s mother, who used to visit her quite often. I was supposed to be asleep, but could hear the following conversation which took place between them.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe “I think Stanley is going out with a young lady.”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Pearce “Who is she?”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe “I don’t know but she lives somewhere near you because he goes up the street to meet her.”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Pearce “That’s funny, what nights does he meet her?”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe “Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Pearce “What time does he go out to meet her?”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe “About 7 pm.”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Pearce “That’s funny, because Pam goes out about that time on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Lowe “Do you think he’s going out with Pam?”<\/p>\n
Mrs. Pearce “I don’t know, but it all seems to fit doesn’t it?”<\/p>\n
Although they both thought I was asleep, I had heard all this. I couldn’t stand it any longer, I just burst out laughing. They had found out, I gave in and admitted we were going out together.<\/p>\n
It was quite a while before I met the young lady’s family. We used to kiss goodnight on their doorstep in Brookhill.<\/p>\n
Chapter 21<\/h2>\n Pam and me continued our courtship. We were very much in love. They were wonderful days. There was no such thing as television in those days. Very few people had a wireless set.<\/p>\n
We spent most of our time together in nice walks in Weston and Endcliffe Parks, and perhaps pictures on a Saturday night.<\/p>\n
I had still not met the young lady’s family. Our goodbyes were on the doorstep.<\/p>\n
Pam used to suffer quite a lot with bad throats, and if through them she could not meet me, she used to send a letter with her younger sister, Ruby. It was through Pam having these bad throats that I was at last invited to her home at Brookhill.<\/p>\n
I met her father for the first time. He was very strict with his children and would not stand for any nonsense. I liked him very much, and I think he took a liking to me.<\/p>\n
They were a large and happy family, and while not rich, they seemed to have a good carry on. Besides Pam’s two sisters, Ruby and Iris, there were Rosy, Lily, and three brothers, Joe, Tom and Jack.<\/p>\nPam’s sisters, Iris (left) and Ruby at Brookhill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPam was the clever one of the family regards education, and I had a feeling at the back of my mind that she should court someone better off than a poor railwayman. I think her family thought the same, but I must says in all sincerity that they never shown it to me. I got on very well with them.<\/p>\n
Joe, the eldest son, had a very good job and a car, which in those days was something. Pam used to do all his book keeping for him. She was very clever, and I don’t think Joe could do without her help as you will hear later.<\/p>\n
Pam and me carried on our courting, but now I was allowed to go into her home, and even sit in the front room (with the lights on). She was continually poorly with the throat, and many times we did our courting with Pam in bed poorly.<\/p>\n
But the main thing was that we were still very much in love. And although I still felt I was not earning enough money to be able to give her what she was entitled to. This feeling I had was never mentioned between us. Perhaps I was wrong in feeling this way.<\/p>\n
Mr. and Mrs. Lowe seemed to be pleased I had settled down to courting a nice young lady.<\/p>\n
Chapter 22<\/h2>\n It was about this time when I was sent for, to report to the Station Master’s Office.<\/p>\n
“You have to report to Connah’s Quay* next Monday as a Senior Porter.” (*Connah’s Quay – A small town in North Wales about 6 miles from Saughall where I lived my life until I was 20)<\/p>\n
This hit me straight between the eyes.<\/p>\n
The Station Master thought this was doing me a good turn, sending me back to where I came from. I couldn’t tell him I was in love with a girl from Sheffield and didn’t want to leave. They would probably have given me my cards. I had to accept this whether I liked it or not. I could get over to Sheffield every other week to see Pam.<\/p>\n
This was a very upsetting time for Pam and me, but my dear mother was overjoyed.<\/p>\n
Would our love for each other stand this test of being apart? I think Pam’s family thought this courtship would finish (perhaps they hoped it would). I don’t know that.<\/p>\n
I kept coming over once a fortnight, arrive Sheffield about tea-time and go back 8:30 Monday morning.<\/p>\n
I had told my mother that I was in love with Pam and I was going to marry her because she was the only girl for me. I invited Pam over to meet my family who took a great liking to her.<\/p>\n
I felt ashamed of our poor little house at Saughall, and wondered what Pam thought about it. Don’t get me wrong, I was not ashamed of my family. They were poor but honest and clean and I could see that Pam liked all my family, who was still living in one up and one down cottage.<\/p>\n
This certain young lady in the village was still very keen on getting me and with me now living with my mother again she was paying regular visits. I was not in the least bit interested in anyone, only the girl I loved in Sheffield.<\/p>\n
Chapter 23<\/h2>\n Although Pam and me were living miles apart, both Pam’s family and mine could see that we were going to see it through and felt that the only thing we could do was get married to be together always.<\/p>\n
The Great Day was arranged. My sister Ida had arranged rooms for us in the village. Pam was to come back with me as my wife in the village of Saughall.<\/p>\n
We hadn’t much money but managed to get furniture to make our rooms comfortable. We paid for it weekly. How I don’t know. I was earning \u00a32-1-9 per week. Pam’s family was a great help to us.<\/p>\n
The wedding day arrived. I was to travel, along with my brother Eric who was best man, on Friday, for the wedding on Saturday at St. George’s Church, Sheffield.<\/p>\n
I was so happy to think that at last I am going to marry the girl I love. I stayed at Mrs. Lowe’s where I used to lodge. I wore a black jacket and striped trousers, which was the dress in those days. I was really nervous.<\/p>\n
My brother Eric didn’t make things any easier for me. He decided about 45 minutes before the wedding he would have a hair cut at the barbers, causing me to be a little late at the church.<\/p>\n
As I stood along with my brother Eric waiting for my Bride to walk up the aisle with her father, he suddenly said he couldn’t find the ring. This was a joke on his part but frightened me to death.<\/p>\n
It was a beautiful wedding, and my bride looked so lovely, as in my opinion all brides do.<\/p>\n
Chapter 24<\/h2>\n We had the reception in Pam’s house in Brookhill. She got some lovely presents from her friends. I don’t think I got any.<\/p>\n
We were now man and wife and were now together for life. (we were so happy).<\/p>\n
The wedding was on Saturday and we had to leave Sheffield on Monday for Saughall. I had to go to work at Connah’s Quay.<\/p>\nPam in a studio photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMy sister had prepared our room at a house in the village where we were to sleep, and live with my mother.<\/p>\n
We did not stay long at this place, we got rooms at Long Lane, higher up the village, one up one down and use of the kitchen. I had a cycle and used to go to work on it to Connah’s Quay, which was a distance of approximately nine miles.<\/p>\n
We had regular visits from Pam’s family from Sheffield, especially her brother Joe because she used to do all his clerical work.<\/p>\n
The wife’s mother loved Saughall and the country. She used to like walking around the fields picking blackberries.<\/p>\n
Pam and me were very happy together, but I always felt she missed her family quite a lot (although she never said so). Country life was so different from town.<\/p>\n
We still had quite regular visits from Pam’s family from Sheffield, mostly Joe and his wife Muriel. They had a car, which was something in those days. They always brought us something. We were not too well off. My wage at this time was \u00a31-19-6 one week and \u00a32-1-9 the other, but we managed. I didn’t drink or smoke.<\/p>\n
Chapter 25<\/h2>\n The house we lived in, one up and one down and use of the kitchen, was in Long Lane, Saughall, and was a very lovely part of the village. No street lights and very quiet.<\/p>\nHolly Croft Cottage, long Lane, Saughall, where June was born. Photo shows David McClelland at cottage, November 1998<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIt was to become a very special house for us because Pam was expecting a happy event.<\/p>\n
The baby was to be the first Grandchild in Pam’s family, although not in mine, as I have already told you my sister had two children.<\/p>\n
As the important day got near, Pam’s mother came to stop with us. She was so good to us (a wonderful lady).<\/p>\n
I always remember it was a Saturday morning at about 11 am when the District Nurse came for the big occasion.<\/p>\n
The baby was not born until Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. Pam’s mother was in the bedroom with the Doctor and nurse. I was walking about in a trance. I kept creeping up the stairs from time to time, and then I heard the cry of our baby. I was so happy. I was now a father.<\/p>\n
But Pam had a very difficult time. When I went to see her and the baby she looked so lovely and contented. The baby was a girl. We had both wanted a girl.<\/p>\n
Chapter 26<\/h2>\n Pam’s mother stayed with us until Pam was well enough to take charge. We had quite a few visitors from Sheffield to see our new baby.<\/p>\n
It was about this time that the Railway offered me a Railway house at Connah’s Quay so I should be nearer my work. It was nice to think that we were going into our own house.<\/p>\n
This Railway house (if you could call it one), I feel I should describe it, because in my opinion it was terrible, and while it was our own, I felt it was not very nice to take your wife and baby to. Pam accepted it without a complaint.<\/p>\n
This house was at the side of the railway line (main Chester Holyhead line), it was all on it’s own. The back opened into derelict land down to the River Dee.<\/p>\n
It consisted of one large living room. It took twenty-five rolls of paper, this will give you some idea of its size. A pokey kitchen, paraffin lamps, and the water tap was outside. It was the only house on this side of the railway. Each time we wanted to take our baby and pram out we had to go over a level crossing and get the gate keeper to open it for us, which he didn’t seem to like much.<\/p>\n
I think I should tell you here that our lovely little daughter was christened at the village church at Saughall where I had lived most of my young life. She was named June Margaret Rose. We were so proud of her.<\/p>\n
I still felt it was not fair for Pam and our baby to live in such a house and she had quite regular visits back to her family at Sheffield for quite long periods. I did not object to this. What else could I do.<\/p>\n
Chapter 27<\/h2>\nStan and Pansy in their later years. Date and location unknown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI think we lived in this house about ten months when a very fortunate thing happened for us both. I found out that there was a railwayman and his wife in Sheffield who were from Connah’s Quay and they wanted to get back again to this district.<\/p>\n
I contacted this gentleman, a Mr. Evans, and an exchange was arranged with the railway about our jobs, and the landlord regarding our house,<\/p>\n
This exchange turned out very well indeed. He lived at 70 Beechwood Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield.<\/p>\n
I know Pam was very happy about this, so was I for her sake, although I was leaving my mother and family again.<\/p>\n
Pam’s family was also very pleased especially her brother Joe regarding her clerical work.<\/p>\n
I remember quite well the day of the removal. Pam and baby June went by car with Joe and Muriel. I went in the furniture van. What a journey. It was winter and I was frozen, sat on the furniture in the back of the van.<\/p>\n
We now made our home at 70 Beechwood Road, and I again worked on the railway at Sheffield, a Goods Porter at Bridgehouses. My wage was poor, but I did get it every week.<\/p>\n
This is where I first became really involved in Trade Unions. The Goods Depot at Bridgehouses was a very large place and employed a large staff. Porters, checkers, crane drivers, lorry drivers, etc. I was soon approached to be asked if I was a member of the union. I joined and have been a member ever since. I will tell you more about unions later.<\/p>\n
Chapter 28<\/h2>\n Pam and me were very happy in our little house at Beechwood Road.<\/p>\n
Baby June was growing up into a lovely child.<\/p>\n
We were still rather poor, but the wife’s family helped us a lot.<\/p>\n
This was Stan’s final entry.<\/h3>\nStanley Rowe Mercer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI completed the transcription on July 25th, 1993.
Stan died before he could complete his writings, so his memoirs never brought us up to date with Stan and Pam’s life.<\/h5>\nHere I will attempt to add some colour to the later years and the images will let you put faces to some of the names.<\/h5>\nStan and Pansy (centre) at a party.Stan and Pansy, with daughter June<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJune Mercer and Dave McClelland’s Wedding.FROM THE NEWSPAPERS….<\/h2>\n From the Sheffield Star, May 1963.<\/em><\/p>\nNOW TRAIN BLAZE HERO WILL BE REWARDED<\/h3>\n SHEFFIELD railway guard, 53-year-old Stanley Mercer, sprang into action when he smelled burning on his early morning passenger train.
York Train<\/strong>From the front page, Sheffield Star, May 9, 1963.BLAZE TRAIN GUARD HERO GETS THANK-YOU CHEQUE<\/strong><\/p>\nRAILWAY guard Stanley Mercer, wearing his familiar buttonhole of primroses, sat back in the Station Master’s Office at Sheffield Victoria Station today and recalled the drama of the 8.17 when smoke billowed along the corridors of the packed train as he fought a fire.
CommendationWintry Day<\/strong>From The Sheffield StarRETIREMENT<\/h2>\nClipping from The Sheffield Star Newspaper on Stan’s retirement and his plans to write his memoirs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAfter his retirement from British Rail at age 60, Stan took a part-time job preparing cars for customer delivery at a local Volkswagen dealership, J. Gilder’s and Co. Ltd. in Sheffield, England.<\/h4>\n From the Sheffield Star, Thursday September 5, 1974.<\/p>\n
Tragedy struck on the day Stan, 65, retired from work.<\/h3>\n By a staff reporter<\/p>\n
STANLEY MERCER’S working life ended in tragedy.
ACCIDENTAL<\/strong>Most of the newspaper clippings and photographs here were found in a small suitcase Pansy brought with her from England. A small sticker on the top says, “My dear Stan’s memories.” It contains photographs of people long forgotten, Stan’s old tobacco pipes and personal papers.<\/h4>\n My dear Grandmother, Pansy Mercer, passed away September 24, 1995, after a short illness.<\/strong><\/p>\nI found it especially hard at the time as I was working away from home and wasn’t able to see her in her last few days. I especially regret never sitting down with her and capturing some of her memories on videotape. We have some video of Pansy at family events and I have an audiotape of a story she told me of her war-time memories that aired on CBC Radio.<\/p>\nPam MercerFrom the leaflet given out atIn loving memory of<\/strong> Pansy (Pam) Mercer<\/strong> May 19, 1911 – September 24, 1995<\/strong><\/h4>\nPansy (Pam) Mercer<\/p>\n
Pam was heartbroken in 1974 when she lost her beloved husband, Stan, after an accident. She was not to know then that she was to live another twenty-one years after his death, six of these in Canada.<\/p>\n
Pam was dedicated to her family and to her work. She was employed by the Great Universal Stores in Great Britain for over thirty years; finally as an Accounts Inspector. She retired at age sixty-five, but never lost her mathematical gift for figures. She had the ability to calculate columns of figures in her head faster than any calculator. Even to her last days, this ability never left her. She was very loved and respected throughout her working life, with many friends, and she loved every minute of it.<\/p>\n
In 1989, Pam left England for Canada to join her daughter June, son-in-law Dave and grandsons David and John. This was a very bold step to take at seventy-nine years of age, but she found good friends here and it became her home.<\/p>\n
Pam’s request to us when she left England was that, on her death, her ashes be laid to rest with her husband Stan, in the cemetery of the Christ Church in Stannington, near Sheffield. To grant this wish is the least we can do. She will join Stan on November 8th, 1995.<\/p>\n
Rest in peace Pam. We love you.<\/p>\n
Pam kept a little book at her bedside, The Friendship Book of Francis Gay. Her bookmark was at this poem.<\/p>\n
At the end of the tunnel
– Dorothy M. Loughran<\/p>\nMEMOIRS OF A RAILWAYMAN by STANLEY ROWE MERCER, edited by DAVID McCLELLAND. Copyright \u00a92016 by David McClelland. All rights reserved.If you have any comments or require information, please complete below<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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