STAGECOACH MANCHESTER COMMEMORATES THE CENTENARY OF WW1 MEMORIAL PLAQUES

This March marks the 100-year anniversary of the unveiling of the Manchester Corporation Tramways Department (MCTD) WW1 Memorial Plaques. Five Memorial Plaques were unveiled across Manchester on 28th March 1923 by The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Sir William Cundiff, and various Alderman on the Transportation Committee.

On Wednesday 29th March, Stagecoach Manchester held two Centenary Ceremonies, the first of which took place at its Sharston bus depot. A rededication of the War Memorial Plaque occurred at the Sharston depot after the Princess Road bus depot was demolished in 2011. 

Following the Sharston ceremony, the final Centenary Service of Commemoration took place at Stagecoach Manchester’s Hyde Road depot, Ardwick.
Members of the public were welcome to attend both events, with Stagecoach encouraging those whose ancestors worked on the Manchester Trams and sadly lost their lives during this period to attend.

At the outbreak of war in 1914, MCTD was the largest employer of men in the city and during the four years of the war over three thousand employees enlisted. 

Martin Logan, organiser of the Centenary Ceremonies said: “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.”

Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, added: “It’s a privilege for Stagecoach to house two of the WW1 Memorial Plaques in Manchester. We’re forever grateful to those who worked at the MCTD and are honoured to remember them and celebrate their lives on occasions such as this.”

For the past 14 years, Martin Logan, an ex-employee of Greater Manchester Buses has been researching the 310 names on the Memorial Plaque. 

Over the years Martin has contacted many relatives of the fallen men and has personally visited cemeteries abroad and locally within Greater Manchester where the employees are buried.  

Martin is continuing his research into the people who worked on the Manchester Tramways and left to serve their country in World War One and can be contacted at [email protected].