Philips Park Cemetery was Manchester’s first municipal public cemetery when it opened in 1866 in the Miles Platting district of Manchester. It is on the northern side of Philips park which opened in 1846, as one of the first public parks in Manchester. They are separated by the river Medlock which flows between them.
The cemetery is freely open to the public, but because of the cemetery's age it is requested that people stick to the paths and not walk near to the gravestones. Because of this a number of stone memorials have been raised near to the entrance of the cemetery dedicated to various prominent people buried in the cemetery.
The website below has some details that have been discovered about the firefighters on this memorial, but also has details of firefighters buried in other cemeteries.
The memorial is in the form of a stone with an attached bronze plaque.
In commemoration of four Manchesteer firefighters who lost their lives
and are buried in this cemetery.
Fireman JOHN CURLEY, Manchester Fire Brigade
Died 29th March 1881, aged 24 years.
Engineer RICHARD SYKES, Manchester Fire Brigade
Died 30th Nov. 1894, aged 36 years.
Auxiliary Fireman CHARLES PIMBLETT, Manchester Auxiliary Fire Service
Died 23rd Dec. 1940, aged 28 years.
Fireman SAMUEL EDWARD ASTLE, National Fire Service
Died 17th July 1943, aged 28 years.
The following details come from the website
"John Curley is buried in the Roman Catholic section of the cemetery, grave number: E-170. This is a public grave.
John Curley as far as i can find left a wife & three children and was residing at Goulden street, Ancoats at the time of his death.
He died along with William Griffiths age 37 at Manchester royal infirmary.
Richard Sykes was born in Liverpool 1857. Before he joined the fire-brigade, Richard was a seaman.
He married Mary Ann Daly on 21st Nov 1877 at ST. Matthew's church on Liverpool road, Manchester.
On the 30th of Nov 1894 the fire brigade had been call out from the Upton street station to attend a call to a Brunswick street address. Richard Sykes was the engine driver at the time. While on Shakespeare street the near side horse slipped on the greasy road surface and fell, causing fireman Sykes to be thrown from the engine and landing on his head. He was rushed to the royal infirmary where it was found he had sustained fractures to his skull and died later that same evening.
He left a wife and five children. A fund was set up to try and raise found to help his wife & family. Mrs Sykes received a few donation and also £15 a year for as long as she remained a widow and £2 - 10s for each child until they became 15 years old. The Sykes family were residing at the Upton street fire station off Stockport road Ardwick at the time of Richard Sykes death. Mary Ann Sykes died May 1939 and never remarried remained a widow.
He is buried in the Non-conformist section of the cemetery, grave number: F-1006.
Also buried with Richard Sykes: Mary Ann Sykes, Elsie Sykes, Bertha Daly & John J Bibby.
Charles Pimblet Fireman & Engine driver, Auxiliary Fire Service of 65 Prince Street, Beswick.
Son of Charles and Margaret Pimblett nee Conway, of 393 Edge Lane, Droylsden.
Husband of Lillian Cecilia Pimblett nee Griffin.
Charles & his wife Lilian both died on 23rd Dec 1943 at 61 Prince Street.
Both deaths were caused by the bombing blitz of Manchester.
Charles & Lilian were buried on the same day
Buried on 31st Dec 1940 in the Roman Catholic section of the cemetery.
Grave number: A-717.
They are buried with Charles and Margaret Pimblett (his parents).
Samuel Edward Astle, Fireman of the National Fire Service.
Son of John Harry and Martha Astle nee Pugh of Conran street, Harpurhey.
Husband of Alice Astle nee Davies, of 22 Upper Mount Street, Harpurhey.
He was injured on 12th June 1943, at Lankeys Playing Fields & died 17th July 1943 at Crumpsall Hospital.
Buried on 24th July 1943. He is buried with his father in law Richard Edward Pugh, John Harry & Martha Astle ( his parents)."
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