What a lovely surprise! Last year Lynn Gerber contacted Friends of Goostrey Station through our website friendsofgoostreystation.org because she thought we might be interested in a photo of her grandfather Joseph Harrop. Of course, we are!

Joseph was born in March 1895 and started work as a porter at Goostrey Station in January 1911. In the photo, Joseph is seated on the left of the bench.  But who are the other men? Could they be Mr Lockett, Mr Brandreth, Mr Thompson or Mr Wilde who were living in station cottages at the time of the 1911 census? If you can identify either of these people, please get in touch with FoGS chair Craig Sidebotham on 01477 544111.

In September 1914, at the start of WW1, Lynn’s grandfather volunteered for the Royal Marines and he was wounded at Gallipoli. On his return to civilian life at the end of the war, Joseph trained as a signalman at Eccles and he was subsequently employed at several stations on the Crewe-Manchester line. When the system was modernised in 1959, he changed job and became a porter again.

After WW2, Joseph received a commendation for his devotion to duty in Goostrey Home Guard. In 1927 he had joined the St John Ambulance and the training he received allowed him to lead the ambulance section.

On his 65th birthday, Joseph was given a gold wrist watch by British Rail. When he retired in October 1961, officials  presented him with a long-service certificate and he received a clock from the staff at Goostrey, Holmes Chapel and Sandbach stations.

Joseph’s granddaughter Lynn has provided FoGS with a precious glimpse into the life of someone who worked for half a century on the local railway. She described him as a lovely man who was well respected. He was an active member of the labour party and, as a keen gardener, he was also secretary of the Allotment Association and the Gooseberry Society.  She added that ’it’s a really nice feeling to know that my grandfather’s story is still being remembered’.