90th anniversary of the Great Flood of Middleton

The Great Flood of Middleton

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If you're feeling a bit miserable about the rainy weather, cast your mind back 90 years ago to the murky waters of 1927: tragedy struck Middleton on the evening of Tuesday 11 July 1927 when the canal bank near Mills Hill collapsed due to heavy rainfall.

Gallons of water were sent gushing into an already swollen river Irk, and mud-laden flood water and debris hit the town with little warning. The raging torrent took bridges with it and badly affected the low-lying Little Park area close to the centre.

Boats were drafted in from Heaton Park and Boggart Hole Clough to help rescue those trapped in their homes.

Hundreds of families were left homeless and destitute, with many sheltering in schools, churches, or with friends or relatives.

Tragically, three people lost their lives in the flood.

Fred Hall, of Boarshaw Road, was just a tender 16 years of age, and died whilst helping to rescue people from their flooded homes in Little Park. Along with another man in a rowing boat, they'd just rescued a man from the bedroom window of a house in Park Street when the boat was drawn towards the strong current of the nearby river Irk.

The two men jumped from the boat in time but Fred jumped too late, and was swept along the river before disappearing from sight. His body was found amongst debris early the next morning, 300 yards away on Jackie Booth's field.

Boarshaw Road and Townley Street were lined with onlookers as his funeral made its way to Tonge Church, where he was buried on 16 July.

Charles Heaton, 57, of Heap Street, Little Park, was attempting to fetch some dry clothes when the water was subsiding but still deep in parts. He was also grabbed by the current whilst trying to cross Park Street after stumbling, unable to find his feet again. He was also found on Jackie Booth's the next morning and was buried in Boarshaw Cemetery on 16 July.

Joseph Stansfield, 76, of Gilmour Street, had wandered down to the scene around 10pm to look at damage to the gas works. He was last seen alive standing close to the Corporation Street bridge. He went into the water along with the paving stone he was standing on, which collapsed with the bridge, swiftly followed by a large chunk of the gas works gable end that also collapsed. His body was found by his own son five days later on the banks of the Irk close to Rhodes lodges.

The Mayor of Middleton, Councillor A H Hollingworth led the cortege from Joseph’s home: he was buried at Tonge Church on 19 July.

The damage caused by the flood was phenomenal: as well as the houses and their contents, and the gas works, there was also much damage to bridges, roads, and the drainage and sewer system that blocked up with silt.

At the height of the floods, water came in at 15 feet over the gas beds. Foreman Joe Cosgrove, Harry Broome and Jack Tomlinson saved many from being gassed by turning off the valves, marooning them in the process for over 10 hours.

The following day, spectators descended on Middleton with special trams running from Manchester and motor traffic from Preston.

A relief fund was set up for those affected the most.

It would take many months for the houses to thoroughly dry out. All of those affected in the Little Park area (the area between the Warwick Mill and the town centre) were demolished completely less than 30 years later, condemned as not fit to live in.

Later that year, a framed and inscripted memorial certificate of heroism was presented to the parents of Fred Hall in a ceremony held at Middleton Police Station, along with the sum of £20, (equivalent of just over £1,000 in 2017).

Today, a flood memorial stands in Jubilee Park, to remember Fred, Charles and Joseph. It bears the inscription:

“Middleton Flood

“11th July 1927

“This memorial is erected in remembrance of Fred Hall, aged 16 years, who was drowned whilst engaged in rescue work during the flood, also of Charles Heaton aged 58 years and Joseph Stansfield aged 76 years who were drowned.”