Wigan Album

At some stage the name WA Boardman has been inscribed beneath the original five names - this man is the same as William Taylor, one of the five. His parents wished him to be commemorated with the family name, rather than the one he fought under. He is recorded at St John's Pemberton, and on Wigan Cenotaph, as Boardman. Must be a story in there about why he's initially recorded as Taylor here.
Incidentally, the photographer of this image, Berenice Baynham, has done sterling work around the country recording war memorials - particularly commemorations on family graves in churchyards and cemeteries.

With all do respect and I mean that, I’m just more interested in my Great Uncle Dick.. that’s a story for the Taylor / Boardman family..
Thank you though

Just asking, Jake - why is a good Catholic boy such as Richard being commemorated on a memorial for men who were members of a Protestant chapel?

I’m not too sure, he’s my great uncle so I’ve spent a lot of time researching about him.
Either way I’m glad he is on a plaque after dying at 19 in the navy.. which led to his girlfriend at 17 killing herself when she found out.
I’m just glad there’s something there to remember him by other than his Navy Grave Stone

Think a bit deeper, Jake. There are clues on the pic I sent for the WW2 Chapel at St Matthew's Highfield yesterday....
His grave stone, btw, is a Commonwealth War Grave Commission standard type - carrying the badge of the deceased's unit - in his case, the Royal Navy.

Hopefully you've twigged what I'm on about, Jake....

For the record - two men by the name of Richard Speakman were killed in WW2. Both are recorded on the Wigan cenotaph. Both are included in Dr Eric McPherson's 'Roll of Honour', which sought to record the names of all those from the Wigan Metropolitan area who died in WW2 - and where in the Borough they are commemorated. While not perfect, it is the best available reference for WW2 casualties around.
According to his research, the Richard Speakman recorded here was a 37-year-old Lance Sergeant in the 4th Battalion of the Border Regiment who died in 1941 and is buried in Egypt.
The other Richard Speakman, Jake's Great Uncle, was a 19-year-old Royal Navy seaman, accidentally killed in 1943, and buried in Wigan Cemetery. He is commemorated in the WW2 Memorial Chapel at St Matthew's Highfield.

Without intruding on Jakes comments, I would like to ask if any WW members have a photograph of Mount Zion church that could be uploaded as I'm interested in the building from the 1920's. I know the Massey family ( Massey Bros Coach/bus builders fame) were attendees there and so was my Father.