Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1920 & 29

ALBERT GRAYSON (1859 - 1924)


 

Albert Grayson was a Locomotive Engine Driver for the London and North Western Railway Company, based at Patricroft and was accidentally killed there in 1924.

 

He was born in the 4th Quarter of 1859 and registered in Barton-upon-Irwell. He was the fifth child of Thomas Grayson (born 1811 at Barton) who was a Market Gardener, and Rebecca (nee Burgess) Grayson (born 1825 in Wilmslow, Cheshire). Albert's parents were married on 5th February 1844 at Manchester Collegiate Church (which later became Manchester Cathedral). Albert's siblings were: Jesse (born 1849 in Ireland), Elizabeth Ann (born 1852 in Timperley, Cheshire); Mary Jane (born 1854 in Lymm, Cheshire); Thomas Burgess (born 1857 in Lymm, Cheshire); and Sarah Ann (born 1862 in Eccles). In 1861 the family lived at 15, Barton Lane, Eccles and in 1871 they lived at Peel Green Road, Eccles. There is no 1881 census record available.

 

On 16th November 1884, Albert Grayson (aged 25) married Amelia Thomas (aged 22) at All Saints Church, Gorton, Manchester. Amelia (born 1861 in West Gorton, Manchester) was the daughter of John Thomas, an Iron Turner and Mary Ann (nee Graystock) Thomas. Albert and Amelia's children were Mary Ann (born 1886 in Salford and married in 1908 to Harold Griffith), Thomas (born 1888 in Salford and died 1889 aged 18 months), Albert jnr (born 1890 in Salford), Elizabeth (born 1894 in Salford), and Amelia (born 1897 in Salford and died 1897 aged 3 months), After the tragedy of losing two babies, further tragedy occurred on 20th August 1899 as Albert's wife Amelia died aged 37. She was buried in the family grave at Weaste Cemetery

 

On 12th September 1900, 40-year-old Albert re-married to Maria Jane (nee Whalley) Forrest at Christ Church, Salford. Maria Jane was a widow, aged 38, who was the daughter of James Whalley, Engine Fitter. In 1901 the family lived at 1 Lord Nelson Street, Salford. Mary Ann was aged 15, Albert jnr was aged 11 and Elizabeth was aged 6. Also in the family home were Maria Jane's children Walter Forrest aged 9 and Albert Edward Forrest aged 7. The 1911 census shows the family lived at 81 Milton Street, Patricroft, Eccles with an addition to the family, Alfred aged 5. In 1921, at 76, Milton Street, Patricroft, Albert was now 61 and a Locomotive Engineman employed by LNW Railway. Maria Jane was aged 59, Albert Edward was aged 27 and a Time Clerk with the LNW Railway, Elizabeth was aged 26 and a Warehouse Hand at Armitage's Cotton Mill, and Alfred was aged 15 and an Invoice Clerk at Manchester Liners Shipping Offices. Also at hone was grandson John Alexander Griffith aged 11.

 

At 0500 on 17th February 1924 Albert Grayson was "accidentally killed" at Patricroft Loco Shed aged 64. The report says "After taking an engine to the coal stage, Grayson left the engine, but was found 20 minutes later laying on the track. He was taken to hospital with a fractured skull and collar bone, but died an hour later. There was no indication he had been in contact with an engine and it is assumed he had been on another engine and fell, hitting his head on a rail or a chair. (I am indebted to Susan Mason and "Railway Work, Life and Death" database for this report). Albert was buried at Weaste Cemetery grave B17/CE/11409 on 22nd February 1924.