Wigan Album

Can't help you with the man in the glasses Martin but I am sure that we must have known some Alker relatives of yours in Holland Moor back in 1947/54. The family I know of lived in a row of stone cottages practically opposite Gaskell's garage & the school, on the same side of the road as the Hare & Hounds pub with the weighbridge outside.

The Gentleman in the specticals I understand is a certain Mr Harry Allen. I remember my Mum telling me he was in one of her photos. He was the last Hangman in the UK. Hope my info is correct.

It could indeed be Harry Allen, one of the UK's last executioners, 1941/64, assistant to Albert Pierrepoint. Harry as well as being an executioner had been a bus driver & publican, ran the Junction Inn, Higher lane, Whitefield (?)
I found one pic of him on Google, must be the same man as in your photo Martin, grey haired, with moustache, he died in Fleetwood....what was he doing with the Alker Family !

Its all out there !

Thankyou Helen I went through the same info on the web and came to the same conclusion. My mum was in a group of friends and they all new each other and that is all I know really. The lady to the right of my mum was Margaret Brierley, and the lady far right I remember seeing her while I was growing up, do not know her name sadly. One other small claim to fame my granma Ruth informed me was 236 Ormskirk Rd was used as a polling station and Harold Wilson was there in her front living room.