During the First World War, Manchester contained between thirty and forty war hospitals, including the 2nd Western General Hospital and the Nell Lane Military Hospital for prisoners of war. Many of those buried in the cemeteries and churchyards of the city died in these hospitals. During the Second World War, there was a Royal Air Force Station at Heaton Park, Manchester.

There are now 69 First World War casualties and 88 from the Second World War buried or commemorated in Manchester (Gorton) Cemetery. The burials are scattered throughout the cemetery and a Screen Wall bears the names of 15 First World War casualties whose graves could not be individually marked. There are also three Special Memorials commemorating casualties whose graves in Gorton (Brookfield) Unitarian Chapelyard can no longer be maintained. The cemetery also has a Cross of Sacrifice.

One soldier who served with the Yorkshire Regiment is buried in a family grave.

We are extremely grateful to Mike Berrell for providing the photos of the headstone and the cemetery, below.

Select the image above for a larger version which opens in a new window		Private John Andrews. 6876. The Yorkshire Regiment, transferred to 363860 Labour Corps. Son of Mrs. Lilliane. Andrews, of 18, Leach St., Gorton, Manchester. Died at home 6 March 1918. Aged 19. Enlisted Manchester. "IN LOVING MEMORY OF / OUR DEAR MOTHER LILLIAN E ANDREWS DIED DEC 9TH 1945 AGED 73 YEARS ALSO HER BELOVED HUSBAND / JOHN ANDREWS DIED MARCH 2ND 1918 AGED 59 YEARS ALSO THEIR BELOVED DAUGHTER VIOLET ANDREWS, DIED ON HER 18TH BIRTHDAY JULY 25TH 1927" Although Private John Andrews is not mentioned by name on this headstone, the grave reference (V207) can be seen on the stone and corresponds with the reference in the Commonwealth War Graves Register. Richard Roberts (<richard.nsw@googlemail.com>) has researched the Andrews family and believes that Private John Andrews will be in this family grave. Richard has commented "...... I have come across unmarked graves of soldiers maintained by the CWGC but the deceased family didn't want a headstone of any sort." Mike Berrell further commented;- The online burial register shows both John ANDREWS (father and son) as being interred in the grave: Gorton Cemetery VConsecrated 207 1 John Andrews Gorton Cemetery VConsecrated 207 2 John Andrews Gorton Cemetery VConsecrated 207 3 Ethel Kiffin Gorton Cemetery VConsecrated 207 4 Violet Andrews Gorton Cemetery VConsecrated 207 5 Lilian Elizabeth Andrews Source: http://www.burialrecords.manchester.gov.uk/GenSearch.aspx Mike Berrell has consulted the actual Burial Register which shows that: Gorton 7 March 1918 John ANDREWS, 57, 8 Leach St., Gorton. Private V 207 11 March 1918 John ANDREWS, 20, Soldier, Stepping Hill ---? Hos? Stockport. Re-opening V 207 Stepping Hill is a large hospital in Hazel Grove, a district to the south of Stockport. This would seem to clear up any lingering doubt that Private John is, in fact, buried in this grave.

Manchester (Gorton) Cemetery - The Andrews headstone is second on the right in the front row.
Photo : Mike Berrell