Everyone Remembered

On Monday 3rd November young people from the Together Trust’s education services all came together to lay poppies in memory of the 400 men associated with the charity, who had fought in World War One. 

Part of the poppy display at Together Trust Centre, Cheadle

The charity has identified nearly 300 of these men and all were represented in the display with an individual poppy. For the last few months our young people at Inscape House School, Ashcroft School and Bridge College have been partaking in various different activities to help them understand World War One. The planting of the poppies brought a personal touch to the subject. 

The work which has already been done on the Honour Roll identifies many of the men who responded to the call of arms. Further information has also been gathered from some of the men’s ancestors who have been in touch with the charity regarding their relative’s past.

Richard

One such story was that of Richard who entered the Homes in 1908 aged 13. An orphan, he had been found sleeping on the street by a local policeman. At this time sleeping out was considered a crime and the boy was put on remand for a week. He spent this time at the Children’s Shelter rather than being locked up in prison. For the next three years Richard called the Central Refuge at Strangeways his home before sailing across to Canada in 1911. When World War One broke out he joined the ranks of his adopted home and fought in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The battalion saw some of the heaviest fighting in World War One, distinguishing itself at battles such as Ypres, the Somme, Vimy, Passchendaele, Amiens, Arras and Cambrai. 

The above picture shows what information can be gathered through genealogy. This beautiful collage of the early days of Richard’s life was put together by his ancestors from the information they have discovered. As they so wonderfully highlight the picture allows them “to remember him every day when we walk by it”. 

To hear more stories around the soldiers of World War One from the Together Trust collection don’t forget to join us at 2:00pm on Friday at Manchester Central Library.