Died
16 April 1916
Born
2 March 1847
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Place
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John McLachlan
The gravestone is now lying flat on its back.
In Loving Memory of
JOHN MCLACHLAN
BORN 2ND MARCH 1847
DIED 16TH APRIL 1916.
“BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, AND
AND I WILL GIVE THEE A CROWN OF LIFE.”
To which has been added:
ALSO OF HELEN,
HIS BELOVED WIFE.
BORN 19TH NOVEMBER 1865,
DIED 21ST SEPTEMBER 1927.
ALSO JAMES PETER,
SON OF THE ABOVE
DIED 10TH FEBRUARY, 1942
AGED 51 YEARS
ALSO MARGARET
DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE
DIED 27TH FEBRUARY 1963
AGED 78 YEARS
On original:
ERECTED AS A TOKEN OF ESTEEM BY THE OFFICIALS,
FOREMEN AND WORKMEN OF VICKERS LIMITED
1911 Census
Ancestry tells us that the McLachlans were living at 35 Windsor Street in the 1911 Census. The household consisted of John McLachlan (60) Marine Engine Fitter, Vickers Ltd., born Glasgow, Scotland; Helen McLachlan (47) no occupation recorded, born Greenock, Scotland; Margaret McLachlan (26) Single, no occupation recorded, born Glasgow; Ann McLachlan (24) Marine Engine Tracing, Vickers Ltd., born Glasgow; and James McLachlan (21) Marine Engine Draughtsman, Vickers Ltd., born Glasgow.
1901 Census & 1901 Scottish Census
In the 1901 Census they were at 19 Windsor Street, with John McLachlan (45) Marine Engine Fitter, born Scotland (as were the rest of the household), sharing accommodation with daughter Margaret McLachlan (15) no occupation recorded; James P. McLachlan (10) no occupation recorded; and Visitors Margaret McLachlan (42) no occupation recorded, and Margaret McLachlan (7) no occupation recorded. Having three Margaret McLachlans in the household must have made life interesting. Meanwhile, in the 1901 Scottish Census (detailed information not available) Helen McLachlan (36) born Greenock, and Annie McLachlan (12) are Visitors at Cnocachullin Cottage, Kilfinan, Argyll, at the home of Alexander Black (69) and his sister Helen Black (66).
1891 Scottish Census
The 1891 Scottish Census has the following (detailed information not available):
Living in Kames Croft, Kilfinan, Argyll are John Bolton (35) Head; Margret (sic) McLachlan (37) Visitor; Annie McLachlan (3) Visitor; James McLachlan (1) Visitor; and Margret (sic) McLachlan (5) Visitor. John Bolton is most likely Margaret McLachlan’s brother. Is this the same family? The children’s names certainly fit. Was Helen John McLachlan’s second wife?
The Barrow News 22 April 1916 reported an interesting life:
DEATH OF MR. JOHN McLACHLAN
We regret to announce the death of Mr. John McLachlan, who has been so many years with the Vickers’ Company as head foreman of the Marine Engine Department. He was a man of very sterling worth and a most excellent engineer. Personally, he was well-liked by his men, and had the happy knack of obtaining the most work with the least friction. He served his apprenticeship at Messrs. R. Napier and Sons, on the Clyde, and was sent by them to Russia to take charge of important contracts. On his return he went to Napiers and also to the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd., for some years, and besides other sea experience, he was an engineer on board the Alaska during the time of the rivalry between that ship and the City of Rome (for speed across the Atlantic – RMW). Later he went to Spain to join the Astilleros del Nervion, under Mr. McKechnie, where he was employed about five years, having entire charge of the marine engine shops. He then returned to the Clyde, where he stayed for a couple of years, and came to Barrow over twenty years ago to take charge of the marine engine shops in Vickers’ Works. His unique knowledge of marine machinery enabled him to give valuable and reliable service and training to the younger generation which have passed through his hands during his career, and he was much esteemed by all with whom he came into contact. He leaves a wife and a grown-up family of two daughters and a son. The son is now in the Navy as an artificer.
1939 Register
The 1939 Register, created to see who was entitled to be called up, and for Ration Books to be distributed, had at 35 Windsor Street Margaret McLachlan (DoB 19 September 1885) Unpaid Domestic Duties, and Ann McLachlan (DoB 4 August 1887) Shipyard Engine Tracer.
The National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1942 has:
McLACHLAN James Peter of 35 Windsor-street Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire died 10 February 1942 Administration Carlisle 1 April to Margaret McLachlan spinster. Effects £1374 2s 6d.
The next entry is
McLACHLAN John of 35 Windsor-street Barrow-in-Furness Lancashire died 16 April 1916 at 9 Hyde-terrace Leeds Administration Llandudno 20 August to Margaret McLachlan spinster. Effects £400. Former Grant P. R. 15 August 1916. Perhaps the house was left to James Peter McLachlan in his lifetime, then to Margaret?
I have not found any obituary for John McLachlan in the local newspapers at the time of his death.
No-one is certain why Edward Sankey took photographs of graves in the period 1910-1920ff. Were they advertising the skills of his friend William Hull, or later Hull and Fairbairn? Were they to be made into postcards that the bereaved family could send to members who were not able to attend the funeral?
The historic photograph is from the Sankey Family Photographic Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.
