Grandparents

Eric’s paternal grandparents were James William Rogerson and Hester Mollart. James was born in Barton-upon-Irwell about 1837 and was a basket maker like his father, also James. Hester was born in Salford about 1842, the daughter of William Mollart, a book keeper. They married at Manchester Cathedral on 24 July 1862. His address was 198 City Rd, Hulme, and hers was 5 Nesbit St, also in Hulme. In 1871 they lived at 7 Belmont Grove, Hulme, and James was described as a manager basket manufacturer.

By 1881 they were back at 198 City Rd and James was now employing 5 men and a boy. In 1891 they lived at 47 Claremont Rd, Moss Side. They had 10 children, Arthur Caleb being the second. The others were James William Jnr, born about 1864 (a pupil teacher in 1881), Frederick Alfred, born about 1867, who became a traveller in baskets, Margaret Hannah, born about 1868, Hester Frances, born about 1871, an assistant librarian in 1891, Edna, born about 1873, later a telephonist, Amy, born about 1875, later a dress maker’s apprentice, Harry, born about 1879, Herbert, born about 1881, Ethel, born about 1883, and Ida, born about 1886. All the children were born in Hulme.

The maternal grandparents were Arthur and Ellen Bingham. Arthur was baptised in Manchester Cathedral on 3 January 1838. He became a leather merchant (although described on one document as a corn factor) and he died on 9 August 1870, aged 33, leaving effects stated as less than £3000. Ellen Bingham was born in Leeds about 1842. By 1871 she was widowed and living at 2 Rose Bank, Steven St, Stretford, with her 5 children. She was thereafter described as an annuitant or living on her own means. The couple had 5 children, Laura (Eric’s mother), born in 1864, William Walter, born about 1867, later a grey cloth salesman, and Ada, born about 1868. They were born in Stretford. The other two were Arthur and Ellen, twins born about 1870 in Hastings. In 1891 the family were living at 68 Steven St.

Parents

Arthur Caleb Rogerson was born in Hulme in 1864. By 1881 he was an apprentice in a Manchester warehouse and by 1891 he was a traveller. Laura Bingham was born in Stretford about 1865. They married at the Wesleyan Chapel, Edge Lane, Stretford, on 2 June 1892. In 1901 they lived at 3 Neston Avenue, Withington, with their children. By 1911 they had moved to 191 Burton Rd and Arthur was a commercial traveller in linings. They had 6 children, one of whom did not survive to 1911. Those who did were Arthur Basil, born about 1894, later a warehouseman in cotton goods, Bertram Chetwyn, born about 1895, later a junior clerk in cotton goods, Eric, born in 1896, Alan, born in 1898, and Laura Vera, born about 1900. Arthur Caleb Rogerson died on 19 October 1930.

Eric

Eric was born in 1896 and baptised at Christ Church on 20 November 1896. He is mentioned in research undertaken at Cavendish Rd School where it is stated that he attended school in Southport before enrolling in the senior department at Cavendish Rd in 1908. He left school in 1911. The same document states that at some point he lived in Warwick Avenue. It is also stated that he served with the 1st/8th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment but at the time of his death he was with A Company, 1st/6th Battalion of the regiment. His service number was 250627. He died on 25 March 1918 and is named on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Bay 7, Course D, Stone 19. His name also appears on the memorial at Cavendish Rd School.

In this photograph it is clear that Eric’s brother, Alan, also served in the army. Eric is on the left. A copy of this photograph appears on the wall in the bar of the Metropolitan public house on Lapwing Lane.

Christ Church Football Team

A newspaper article talks of Eric’s skill as a footballer.

“West Didsbury Sharp Shooter Many capable players have been associated with Christ Church lads West Didsbury during the 6 years it has been in existence, though it is doubtful if they have ever had a more promising player than their present captain and extreme right winger, Eric Rogerson. Equally conspicuous on either wing in the forward line, he possesses pace and good control of the ball, besides putting in accurate centres from any position. It is not often that a wing player comes into the limelight as a prolific scorer but Rogerson has demonstrated he knows where the “timber” lies, having scored on 26 occasions this season. In “friendly” football Christ Church have been phenomenally successful, having played 23, won 19, lost 3 and drawn 1, scoring 102 goals against 32.”

The team was founded in 1908 by a Sunday School superintendent. In 1920 it changed its name to West Didsbury A F C and played in the Lancashire and Cheshire League. The team were runners-up 4 times and won the Rhodes Cup in 1932. After a mixed career the club changed its name again in 2003 to West Didsbury and Chorlton to reflect a ground move from Christie Fields to Chorlton. The club now plays in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.