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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Red Rock

5 Comments

Red Rock Station residents
Red Rock Station residents
Photo: Rev David Long
Views: 2,775
Item #: 31021
While the pics of Red Rock Station are being aired.... These are the parents of the Wigan policeman, Richard James Bilsborough, whose Albums I've been uploading.
They lived at 2 Station Terrace, Red Rock. This doesn't appear to be in view in any of the pics uploaded. On Old Maps three cottages appear part-way up the embankment on the side of the Up line (i.e. East of the tracks - the side the canal is on), and are accessed from the road by a track. These cottages are still there. There are also some cottages shown on the old map, facing directly onto the road, opposite the Crawford Arms - they are no longer there. They might also have been associated with the railway - does anyone know?
The father, Thomas Bilsborough, was a platelayer (according to the Marriage entry at St David's, Haigh for his daughter, Winifred Agnes B., who married PC William Boardman of Ratcliffe Road on October 25th 1930. They were both 23 - so born 1907).
Mick has managed to find some birth details for James Richard B., which gives his mother's surname, Kay, but not her Christian name. There was also another son, Thomas William B., born 1915.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 10th March 2019 at 22:34

I've since looked at the rest of the Red Rock pics in the Album, and see there are two pics which show the row of cottages opposite the Crawford Arms - and in one the roofs of the cottages near the railway are also visible.

Comment by: Steven Buckley on 12th March 2019 at 22:05

David - there was also a shop/cafe on the corner of Red Rock lane and Arley lane opposite the crawford arms - a family friend has a photo taken in 1960 of it.

Comment by: Sarah Minney on 16th November 2023 at 17:07

I have just purchased a collection of old papers that includes items that belonged to Richard James Bislborough, including his Police Warrant card. Would love to pass these on to a family member.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 16th November 2023 at 19:11

Sarah - I donated the Bilsborough images I'd bought at a car boot to Wigan & Leigh Archives. If there are any family around who would be interested in them, they can be accessed from there.

Comment by: Jonathan Bilsborough on 14th January 2024 at 20:12

Sarah/David - I’ve just come across this post whilst searching for some family history. I’m Richard’s grandson. Would be interested in any other information that either of you may have. Both myself and my dad still live in the Wigan area

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