Fred is my great grandfather. He was born on the 30th April 1878 at 21 Cross Gun Alley in Habergham Eaves, Burnley in Lancashire to Ralph (FM001) and Mary (FM002). The details of Fred’s birth certificate are shown below:
| No. | When and where born | Name, if any | Sex | Name and surname of father | Name, surname and maiden surname of mother | Occupation of father | Signature, description and residence of informant | When registered | Signature of registrar | Name entered after registration |
| 294 | Thirtieth April 1878 21 Cross Gun Alley Habergham Eaves | Fred | Boy | Ralph Magnall | Mary Magnall formerly Haworth | Cotton Weaver | Ralph Magnall Father 21 Cross Gun Alley Habergham Eaves | Sixth May 1878 | John Holden Deputy Registrar | |
At the time of the 1881 Census Fred was living at 6 Cog Square with his parents, his older sister Mary Ann (EM002) and his younger brother Thomas (EM003).
By the time of the 1891 Census the 12 year old Fred was a cotton weaver living at home with his parents and siblings at 216 Howard Street in Habergham Eaves.
The 1901 Census shows Fred as 22 years old and a cotton weaver living with his family at 136 Gannow Lane in Burnley.
Fred married Beatrice Isabella Hargreaves (EM028), known as “Beaty”, on the 25th May 1901 in Burnley. Isabella was the daughter of James Hargreaves and Sarah Whitaker and she was born on the 1st November 1878.
| 1901 Marriage solemnized at United Methodist Free Church, Claremont Street, Burnley in the District of Burnley in the Counties of Burnley and Lancaster |
| No. | Where married | Name and surname | Age | Condition | Rank or Profession | Residence at the time of marriage | Father’s Name and Surname | Rank or Profession of Father |
| 27 | Twenty Fifth May 1901 |
Fred MagnallBeatrice Isabella Hargreaves |
22 Years22 Years |
Bachelor Spinster |
Cotton WeaverCotton Weaver |
136 Gannow Lane Burnley136 Gannow Lane Burnley |
Ralph MagnallJames Hargreaves |
Cotton WeaverButcher |
| Married in the United Methodist Free Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the United Methodist Free Church by Certificate by me, |
| This Marriage was solemnized between us |
Fred MagnallBeatrice Isabella Hargreaves | in the presence of us |
Thomas MagnallRhoda Hargreaves | Edwin Hall, MinisterW.J.Clegg, Registrar. |
Fred and Isabella had at least seven children:
- DM001 Dorothy (b.26 January 1903);
- DM002 Emma (b.31 August 1904);
- DM003 Sarah (b.13 June 1906), known as “Sadie”;
- DM004 Fred Hargreaves (b.5th July 1908) – my grandfather;
- DM005 James Hargreaves (b.11 May 1913);
- DM006 Mary (b. 27th August 1918);
- DM007 Clara (b.18th June 1920).
Fred was a tackler at Walmesley’s Mill. A tackler was responsible for maintaining the looms and other equipment in working order. Fred is stood on the right. Around him you can see details of the looms. I would be interested in any information that anyone has on Walmesley’s Mill.
Fred was in attendance at the death of his father, Ralph, and the death certificate shows that Fred was living at 42 Sunderland Street, Burnley.
During the Great War Fred was in the forces as shown by the photo on the right. We think he may have been in the Salvage Corps. Can anyone enlighten us as to the function of this corps and where we might find further information? There is a memorial at Myrtle Bank (does anyone know anything about Myrtle Bank?) which includes Fred’s brother Ralph who died during the war. Fred’s name is included in an illuminated Roll of Honour. More details of his service record will hopefully appear here soon!
My Uncle Jim remembers regularly being put on a bus by his mother Mona so that he could visit his grandfather who then lived at Rose Grove in Burnley. He remembers that Fred used to have a pocket full of Imperial Mints that he shared with him, but that he also kept his pipe in the same pocket!
The Burnley News of 3 August 1929 reported that Fred pleaded guilty to driving a faulty motor cycle:
AN INEFFECTIVE BRAKE – At the Burnley Police Court on Thursday, Fred Magnall, 493, Accrington-road, pleaded guilty to driving a motor cycle without two independent brakes. The Chief Constable stated that a policeman who noticed a defect in the front brake examined the machine and found that the wire connected with the hand brake was broken rendering it completely ineffective. Defendant said it was all right when he turned out in the morning and that a nut had worked loose and had fallen off. He was fined 10s.
The 1939 Register shows that Fred, Beatrice and Mary were living at 498 Accrington Road in Burnley. Fred was working as a Cotton Loom Overlooker (Heavy Work), Beatrice was a housewife and Mary was a National Health Insurance Clerk. They also had Jennifer Thorley (born 25 Feb 1937) staying with them and she was a “Private evacuee”.
Fred died on the 23rd January 1945 in the Victoria Hospital and was buried at Burnley Cemetery plot NE9640 on the 26th January. The photo on the left shows his grave stone which says:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
FRED MAGNALL
DIED 23RD JANY 1945 AGED 65 YEARS.
ALSO BEATRICE ISABELLA
HIS BELOVED WIFE
DIED 2ND AUGUST 1941 AGED 62 YEARS.
ALSO JAMES HARGREAVES
SON OF THE ABOVE
DIED 19TH JUNE 1944, AGED 31 YEARS
Also on his grave is a stone which says
A TOKEN OF ESTEEM
FROM THE WORKPEOPLE OF
WALMSLEY’S
PEEL MILL
My thanks to Great Aunt Clara and my father for the photos.
Probate reads:
MAGNALL Fred of 498 Accrington-road Burnley died 23 January 1945 at The Victoria Hospital Burnley Probate Llandudno 21 March to Edith Uttley spinster and Samuel Helme police constable. Effects £775 6s. 10d.
[Last updated 14 Nov 2023]