The Watch Ashore

The Watch Ashore in Manchester

The Manchester Branch of the Watch Ashore was formed in 1959 with initially 5 members, whose numbers had swelled to 50 members in 1963.

Over it's lifetime the Branch provided support and friendship to the families of Merchant Navy officers in Manchester and the surrounding area.

In 1980 the chairman Mrs Williamson lost her eldest son aged 21 when the  "Derbyshire" mysteriously disappeared. 

The badge of office was purchased in 1965 when actress Dame Anna Neagle joined the members for a luncheon at the Grand Hotel.   In 1982 membership had dropped to 19 and since then sadly this branch has closed.

Dorothy Isabel Cookson. 1921-2008.

The following is an extract from a letter received from Sally Ayres, Dorothy’s daughter. Dorothy died in 2008 and the family requested that any donations at the funeral were given to The Watch Ashore to continue its work.

Dorothy was born in Scotland in 1921 and grew up in England.

She served with the Wrens during the war and married Norman, a pilot, at the end of the war. Victor was born in 1946. They spent some time in South Africa, where Linda was born in 1949. Later that year they returned to the UK. Sally was born in 1951. The family moved to Poynton in Cheshire in 1955.

Dorothy joined the Manchester branch of the Watch Ashore on 20 October 1963 (as a Country Member - Membership M7307 ) when Vic joined Manchester Liners, sailing out of Salford. She served as Branch Secretary in the early 80’s and National Secretary from 1985 to 1991. Dorothy made some dear friends while she was a member of the Watch Ashore, friendships which continued long after the closure of the Manchester branch.

Dorothy is survived by Norman and their 3 children Victor, who lives in New Orleans, Linda, who lives in Frascati (Italy) and Sally who lives in Staffordshire. She is sadly missed by all her family and friends.

For More Information

For more information on the Manchester Branch please use the details on our main contact page.