Royal Mail 1st World War Memorial Mystery Solved

LAST week we ran a report asking for help tracking down a 1st World War Memorial to a Postman from Southport. After an extensive search for information we have managed to get the information our reader requested.

Peter Roberts contacted us about his grandfather, Robert Johnson, who was a postman in Southport, before he enlisted in June 1916. After he went through training he was placed with the Royal Garrison Artillery, Siege Battery, known as:- "the big guns," which stayed behind the front lines pounding the enemy. Conditions for them were grim and as a result he sadly died, on 25 March 1917. He was buried in a War Graves Cemetery in Northern France. As it was the 100th Centenary of his death, Peter decided to find out more about his relation.

Peter discovered out that before the war, Robert had lived on Railway Street, Southport and had left behind his wife, Janet and 5 children, upon his death. Peter then found out that unfortunately his wife soon after died, leaving the children orphans. Thanks to Chris Baker, at Fourteen-Eighteen Research, the WW1 British Army records research and advisory services; Peter managed to obtain some of his Army records, that included his photo, Enlistment Form and Cemetery Register. Some records were lost in World War 2 bombing, so this made him want to find out more… He found out that a WW1 memorial to Robert was located within St Pauls Church of England Church, but it had been relocated to the main Southport Post Office. However that to had closed and the trail became cold. Peter then contacted us with the hopes of locating the memorial, saying that: - "It would be greatly appreciated by the Johnson family and particularly the surviving grandchildren to know more."

Armed with the information he had sent us we took on the task to track down more information, to see what happened to the plaque following the closure of the Crown Counters Building, on Lord Street.

With the help of Royal Mail's Julie Pirone, we have discovered that the memorial does indeed still exist and is now located within the Customer Enquiry Office, in the new Southport Delivery Office.

Spokesperson for Royal Mail, Julie Pirone, said: - "The Royal Mail has an online database of around 250 war memorials that are in its care, commemorating those who served in the wars. Many of the company's memorials were established after the wars, and feature the names of postal staff who fought for their country. We are proud to continue to mark the dedication of our fallen former employees. Many of these war memorials are in areas to which the public has access, such as the Reception Areas within a Delivery Office."

Julie Pirone has also kindly sent us these photographs of the memorial that shows Mr Johnson is named on it.

It is worth noting that the Royal Mail database can be seen online. The website provides searchable information about each individual memorial. Members of the public wishing to visit other memorials can contact sites directly, to see if special arrangements can be made.

A special Remembrance Service is usually held annually for each memorial, at around 11 November.

But we can also say that we have now got more information coming in about Robert Johnson that we are going to pass on to Peter along with the photos kindly sent to us by Julie Pirone.

If you have any information about Robert Johnson or if you want information about your relatives from Merseyside area, who were lost in WW1, please do let us know, via emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.com. We will do our best to pass on contacts that will help you find out more about your relative. It is good to know that a 100 years on, their sacrifice is still being remembered today.
 

B.O.A. 70th Anniversary DVD

THE 70th BOA events this year in Liverpool has now been fully edited is available to buy, on a DVD, from our Online Shop, on Mersey Reporter very soon.  For each DVD sold, ₤3.00 will go to Unique opera exhibition hits the right note at Central Library the Liverpool's Lord Mayor's Charity Appeal. (Registered Charity No. 229539)  At this stage we can only do UK postage options, but if you are outside the UK, you can still order copies, but only via emailing our newsroom at:- news24@merseyreporter.com with your FULL address and we will get back to you with a postage cost and a payment link, should you wish to continue.

If you have someone you want to say happy birthday to, for free, then use the email address below to send us the names you want us say happy birthday to, and/or a photograph.  Email us today!

Circus of Horrors has visited the Liverpool Empire

THE Circus of Horrors celebrates its 21st Anniversary... Click on here to find out more...

24% of singles believe they will never be financially secure enough to retire

WITH the constantly rising costs of living, it is clear that many Brits are concerned about how they will ever be financially secure enough to retire. Peer to peer lending platform Lending Works surveyed over 1,500 non retired adults in the UK (YouGov), whose results you can see on their info graphic, and made some concerning discoveries. There is clearly more of a worry amongst single adults that they will never be in a financial position to be able to retire. 24% of single adults said they believe they would never be in a secure enough position to finish work, compared to 19% of those who are married or living with their partner. On top of this, 40% of those who were not in relationship said that they are currently unable to put any money aside each month for their future, compared to 29% of those in long term relationships, (married or co-habiting).

Aside from relationship status, the figures show that overall, 1 in 5 of those who aren't yet retired; 22% gloomily believe that they'll never be financially secure enough to retire. This suggests they have visions of working until they drop, as they won't be able to afford to stop earning money. This pessimistic view is highest in the 35 to 44 year old category, with 25% of them not seeing themselves as ever being financially secure enough to retire, although only 17% of 18 to 24 year olds, who technically have more time to start saving, agree. And countrywide, the outlook is bleakest in the West Midlands (27%), perhaps due to relatively high unemployment, compared to only 19% in London, where there are, theoretically, more jobs.

The main reason, of course, that we can't see ourselves retiring is because we can't afford to. Over a third of non retired adults; 34% don't save a single penny towards retirement each month. Let's face it, it could be that when you've got bills and rent to pay, you're trying to feed yourself and your family, you've got to pay for your transport to work and you also want to have a social life, sparing a few pence, or pounds, for the future tends to slip far down the priority list… And women are guiltier of this than men, with 41% of non retired females not saving towards retirement, compared to 26% of men.

So who does manage to put a few pennies away for a rainy day? Interestingly, the survey found a correlation between retirement saving and choice of social media. Over half of people who use LinkedIn; which, let's face it, is a career focused network aimed at higher earning professionals; contribute 3% of their salary or more to their pension pot each month. This drops to 32% for those who use Facebook and Twitter; who, perhaps, tend to be younger and not as well established yet in their careers; and 29% for those who use Google+.

"It's clear from this research that many Brits are quite pessimistic when it comes to the future. It is also particularly concerning to see how many people aren't planning adequately for their retirement, although it is perhaps somewhat understandable given the slow economic recovery and poor returns on savings currently available. But with a growing number of alternatives to the established avenues for saving, there are still many ways in which consumers can get on top of things, and thus leave themselves in good shape by the time they reach traditional retirement age." commented Nick Harding, CEO and co-founder of Lending Works.

Do you agree with this?  What are your views? Please email us today, via:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com with your thoughts on this issue...

Please note that all figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2086 adults (1577 non retired). The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).