n From p 17

The Roll of Honour currently housed in the Deansgate Post Office in Bolton bears the names of 122 men — and, no doubt, boys — who died during World War One.

What is almost unbelievable to learn is that all the 122 named on the memorial worked for Bolton Post Office, then known as the General Post Office or GPO.

There are two Taylors on there, two Isherwoods and two Ellisons.

Were these men related to each other? It is highly probable they were as we know that during World War One many families were literally decimated with mothers and fathers losing not only one but often more of their children during the 1914 to 1918 war years.

Mark Wright is adamant the memorial should not only be relocated but relocated to place that local people can access it to pay their respects to those who died.

In Mark’s case his great grandfather Ralph Hicks is named on the memorial and he died and is buried overseas.

“He was killed in action, aged 41, on September 15, 1917 in Belgium (Ypres).

“This left his wife to bring up their four children.

“His grave is in Talana Farm cemetery in Belgium and he was an employee of the post office for 27 years,” explains Mark.

Ralph is just one of the more than 100 local men who are recognised on the memorial which is due to be relocated, promised a spokesman for the Post Office.

Its new location though is yet to be announced.

It is a beautiful memorial bordered in wood and currently as it is behind the counters in the post office it cannot be accessed by the public.

In fact it is currently very difficult to get close to in order to read the inscriptions on there.

There are a whole host of Lancashire names on the list including Warburton, Blackburn, Rigby, Fairclough and Isherwood.

What their work involved in the General Post Office can only be guessed as there is no reference to that on the memorial board.

Some would, no doubt, have been postmen or perhaps they worked in the sorting office.

In the early part of the 20th century the Post Office was the only way to impart information to and from different towns.

Today the demise of the Post Office as we knew it when we were young can, undoubtedly, be attributed to the growth of other forms of communication.

In the early 1900s postcards were sent from all over Bolton and often carried pictures of different areas of the town, including, particularly Barrow Bridge, to relatives and friends in other towns — they were not only confined to holiday correspondence.

Letter writing was at its height of popularity and telegrams were another way to stay in touch.

The General Post Office was a major employer in Bolton and the list of war dead pays testament to that fact.

Next week in Looking Back we will explore the history of the Post Office in Bolton. If you have any information get in touch with Gayle McBain on 01204 537269 or email gayle.mcbain@nqnw.co.uk