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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Mayor of Wigan

13 Comments

1957 My grandfather Oliver Somers unveiling a fire engine with his name
1957 My grandfather Oliver Somers unveiling a fire engine with his name
Photo: Jennifer McMath (ne Somers)
Views: 3,624
Item #: 15349
Granddad Oliver Somers (founder of Oliver Somers Sports Outfitters) was Mayor of Wigan in 1957 and Mayors of that time were honoured by having their name on a fire engine

Comment by: Art on 20th July 2010 at 12:33

What relation were Walter, Stan & Rod to you Jennifer

Comment by: Jennifer McMath (ne Somers) on 20th July 2010 at 15:08

Stanley Somers was my dad, Walter his older brother and Rod the baby of the family

Comment by: Art on 20th July 2010 at 19:59

I remember 'em well, especially Walter & Stanley.
Walter was the Skipper of Wigan Sea Cadets "TS Lady Crawford SCC", in Bretherton Row, when I first joined.
A pair of real gentlemen, Walter Lieutenant Commander, Stan wasn't in uniform, but looked after us youngsters like a dad. brewed the tea for a break in training, kept the place in good order etc. I was in the cadets from '49 to'53.
Rod, on the other hand was the young man about town, used to see him in a big sports car, towing a speedboat wit a pair o'water skis in the back...A sight to behold in those days.

Comment by: Jennifer McMath (ne Somers) on 21st July 2010 at 08:58

you have them all to a "T". Dad especially loved to be helping and looking after people. In the shop he was a softy too. kids would come in for Dinky toys that but if they had not got enough they still went out with one. God bless him

Comment by: Art on 21st July 2010 at 10:24

copy this url into your address bar Jennifer, it's a photo of your dad in the bike shop, scecs on top of his head...as usual:

http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/3/ffsm2ib2.jpg

Comment by: Jennifer McMath (ne Somers) on 23rd July 2010 at 18:34

it is typical of dad to have his specs on his head and then be wandering round looking for them!!. i have a really great photo of him in the shop which I will scan and post. Would you know Philip my brother, there is a photo of me, philip and margaret my twin in my members stuff. Dont know how you access it tho!

Comment by: Carolyn Tipler on 24th July 2010 at 14:15

Lovely to see pictures of Uncle Oliver as I knew him. My Grandfather Harold Somers was Oliver's cousin altho many people thought they were brothers. My first saddle was from Uncle Oliver's shop and that was the only time I remember meeting Uncle Stanley but remember meeting Walter, Gladys, Dudley and John several times. Would appreciate contact with Jennifer in order to get copies of photos for my family album if this could be arranged at my cost.

Comment by: Art on 24th July 2010 at 15:27

I can't say that I know Phillip. I knew John from using the shop & also, years ago when he lived in the stone cottage in Appley Bridge, I took his wife & new baby home from Billinge Hosp (I was in the Lancs CC ambulance service at the time). That would have been in the '70's

Comment by: dave c on 29th October 2010 at 12:28

That reminds me Jennifer, I must post the photograph I earlier mentioned, of yor grandfather and the Sea Cadets

Comment by: deborah johnson on 9th April 2011 at 19:43

hi jennifer your father stanley was my nannas cousin its so nice to see a photo of your grandfather i remember visiting his house with my nanna many years ago what a lovely man

Comment by: Douglas Fillingham on 11th June 2011 at 11:50

Stan was a real gentleman, in 1947 at the age of 10 I started making model aircraft, every time I went to buy a model or balsa cement or anything for my models he would always knock something off. Even years later in 1970's I went to the shop in mains st for two table tennis bats, he recognized me and agaln knocked something off the price.

Comment by: john holden on 5th May 2013 at 15:13

Rod Somers is my uncle who unfortunately passed away this morning, much loved and missed by all R.I.P.
I have fond memories of being in that shop, it was like an aladdins cave :)

Comment by: Sue on 23rd May 2013 at 14:23

Oliver and my grandma where cousins. I have a photo of their grandparents.

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