173 Fitzwilliam Road
Mary Ellen Pridmore, born in 1874 in Corby Glen, Lincolnshire, is my first cousin, thrice removed and in 1894, in Nottingham, she married George William Birkett.
The Pridmore family is a very large branch of my tree. But Mary is one of only a few to move to Rotherham, moving there sometime between 1901 and 1911. Mary’s first cousin, Alice Pinder (nee Cunnington), had lived in Rotherham since around 1897, so Mary perhaps moved on Alice’s recommendation. The two cousins both lived in the Eastwood district of Rotherham and their children, who were of similar ages, no doubt went to the same schools.
Fitzwilliam Road
Mary’s son, Arthur Leslie Birkett, had a dairy/milk-round business located in the Eastwood area on Fitzwilliam Road. Arthur married but issued no children. Both Mary and Arthur died in Scarborough, Mary in 1972 and Arthur in 1975, but both were buried in Rotherham’s Masbrough Cemetery, probably with George William, whose obituary can be read below.
THE ADVERTISER, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1933.
BIRKETT. – On Tuesday, September 19th, 1933, at 173, Fitzwilliam Road, the dearly beloved husband of Mary Ellen Birkett. Aged 65 years.
Rotherham Corporation tram
Mrs. Birkett, son, and relatives, wish to thank the staff and employees of the Rotherham Corporation Transport Department and friends for their sympathy and floral tributes. Also Doctors Coldrey, Pym, and Nurse Wragg and Mrs. Gee for their care and attention.
MR. G. W. BIRKETT.
DEATH OF VETERAN TRAM DRIVER.
The death occurred on Tuesday of Mr. George W. Birkett, of Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham. For over 30 years deceased was a tram-car driver employed by the Rotherham Corporation.
Mr. Birkett, who retired in March, 1932, at the age of 65, was greatly respected by all his fellow employees of the Transport Department. He was one of the oldest members of the Rotherham Branch of the Transport and General Workers’ Union, having joined on the formation of the Branch.
Masbrough Cemetery
In March last year members of the Branch presented him with an easy chair and a pair of house slippers. He came to Rotherham from Blackburn, Lancs.
Mr. Birkett was specially engaged to drive on the Kimberworth route as the steep gradients required an experienced driver.
Throughout his long service he was never involved in an accident of a serious nature and he qualified for the Safety First Association medal for five years’ driving without accidents.
The funeral took place in the Masbro’ Cemetery yesterday.
The Transport Department was represented by Mr. T. P. Sykes (General Manager), Mr. J. Lawson (Traffic Superintendent), and Inspectors H. Johnson, E. Bridges, T. Grundy, W. Race, and G. Ward, together with about 40 drivers and conductors.
The Transport and General Workers’ Union was represented by the local officials.
Among the floral tributes was a wreath from the staff and employees of the Transport Department.
WEEK 42 