MAKINSON's of Horwich

William (Bill) MAKINSON the 5th child of  nine from Thomas MAKINSON and Ann BROMILOW of  Mason Fold Farm decided to marry the Salford girl Mary (Polly) BELL  whom had in recent  years  moved  to Horwich to work and live with family whilst her younger sister Agnes BELL moved to their grandparents home town of Newton Stewart in Scotland.

Wm's parents decided  that he was marrying beneath their social standing as farmers, albeit his younger sister Alice MAKINSON stood as witness  along with his friend Joseph BARLOW, the  son of  neighbouring  farmer, of  Sefton Fold Farm.

The wedding took place at Bolton Register Office on 16th December 1899.

In 1903 they decided to move to Bradford District of Manchester where Wm obtained employment in an iron foundry which paid higher wages than his job at the Horwich Locomotive Works. Later around 1913 they moved to Irlam because of the new iron & steel works that had been commissioned there during 1909, this gave an increase in earnings yet again and security of employment for many years to come, although the Steelworks only lasted 63 years before being closed by Lord Melchett in 1973 as part of his rationalisation plan.

Unfortunately Wm's marriage to Polly was to be short lived as he bravely defended his country he was killed by enemy action on the Somme just 8 days after his 40th birthday - details of this and his photograph can be viewed at  <http://209.157.71.50/memorabilia/William_MAKINSON.html>

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This page was last updated on: 3 May, 2010