Stagecoach Manchester commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the unveiling of the Manchester Corporation Tramways Department (MCTD) First World War Memorial Plaques with two centenary ceremonies on 29 March. The ceremony rededicated the War Memorial Plaque after the demolition of the Princess Road bus depot in 2011.
MCTD was the largest employer of men in the city at the outbreak of the war in 1914. During the four years of the war, over three thousand employees enlisted.
To commemorate their sacrifice, The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Sir William Cundiff, and various Alderman on the Transportation Committee unveiled five memorial plaques across Manchester on 28 March 1923.
The final Centenary Service of Commemoration took place at Stagecoach Manchester’s Hyde Road depot, Ardwick, following the Sharston ceremony. Members of the public were welcome to attend both events, with Stagecoach encouraging those whose ancestors worked on the Manchester Trams and lost their lives during this period to attend.
Martin Logan, an ex-employee of Greater Manchester Buses and organiser of the Centenary Ceremonies, says: “We think it’s important to honour the employees of Manchester Corporation Tramways who gave their lives in the cause of freedom and right in the great European war.”
Martin has spent the past 14 years researching the 310 names on the Memorial Plaque and has contacted many relatives of the fallen men. He has personally visited cemeteries abroad and locally within Greater Manchester where the employees are buried.
Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, adds, “It’s a privilege for Stagecoach to house two of the First World War memorial plaques in Manchester. We’re forever grateful to those who worked at MCTD and are honoured to remember them and celebrate their lives on occasions such as this.”
Martin is continuing his research into the people who worked on the Manchester Tramways and left to serve their country in World War One. He can be contacted at martin.logan@btinternet.com
