Don't forget the diver

[alcavtay]

My ... let me work this out... husband's brother-in-law's grandfather was one of the one-legged divers who entertained people at Southport and New Brighton after the First World War.

His name was Norman Garner and he lost his leg in the war.

We are hoping that somebody out there might have a photo of him as the family don't have one.

Thanks
Amanda

[Hilary]

The most well known one legged diver of Southport Pier was known as Professor Gadsby.

Have you tried Sefton Local history at Crosby Library? They have a photographic collection.

For New Brighton you could try Wirral Archives or maybe Wallasey Library.

[alcavtay]

Thanks Hilary, I will try the archives when I get a chance but it's tricky with 2 toddlers full time!

Norman definitely wasn't professor Gadsby as I have seen a photo of Gadsby and his leg was completely missing, Norman's right leg was amputated above the knee.
I have read several accounts of people's memories of the diver and some of them recall him wearing a 'sock-type cover' on his stump so I believe that they are remembering Norman (or a third one-legged diver?!?) rather than Gadsby.

Amanda

[Hilary]

You could give the relevant library/archives a ring to see if they have anything before you visit.

Also where did Norman live?

[alcavtay]

You could give the relevant library/archives a ring to see if they have anything before you visit.

Also where did Norman live?

He was in Liverpool for the 1911 census (Upper Canning Street) but I believe he had moved to Wallasey by the time he enlisted.

Thanks

[stapler40+]

Hello:

I saw your interest in Norman Garner and I wanted to let you know that I too have an interest in the Garner family from Liverpool. Norman's father, James, was the brother of my grandmother, Elizabeth Durkin (nee Garner). Of Norman I know only the following, I hope it helps:

Born 24 Aug 1896, son of James Garner and Sarah Ann Houghton. He had an older brother named James William and three younger sisters: Jane, Doris and Jessie May.

I have a death date of 1965 for Norman.

Did you know that the family were originally bakers and flour merchants in Liverpool? I have accounts from children who recall the family patriarch, James William Garner, running a bakery in Wavertree, Liverpool.

Thank you for providing the information about the military, that is a new avenue that I will look into. As regarding his life, can you help fill in the blanks in regards to Norman or any of his siblings.

I will continue to work on locating a photo and I will be in touch. Take care

Cheers

Stapler40+
Toronto, Canada

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Thanks for jumping straight in with some details. Amanda has become a regular forum member so I'm sure she will be along shortly to reply.

[alcavtay]

Hi and thanks for getting in touch, I've done much counting on fingers and my brother in law is your second cousin once removed! ie his great-great grandfather was your great-grandfather.

Ray (brother-in-law) is the grandson of Norman Garner, through Norman's son George. Ray and George both live in San Diego, California and I'm sure they'll be very interested to share any family information they have with you.

I'll PM you with more information.

Amanda

[Katie]

He appears in a list of wounded published 13th September 1916

13th-Sept-1916
Regiment: King's Liverpool Regiment
Rank: Private
Forename: Norman
Regimental Number:1805
Surname: Garner
Relatives Reside: Seacombe
Incident: Wounded in action

The date he would have been wounded would have been on or about the 8th/9th/10th August 1916

I assume you have his Silver War badge details?

That is the only entry I have for him.

[alcavtay]

Thanks for that Katie, I do have the SWB info, and you're right, he was reported as 'badly wounded' on 8/8/1916. His son George tells me that Norman was hit by shrapnel then lay in a shell-hole in no-man's-land for 2 nights before a German soldier carried him to the British lines, his leg was gangrenous and had to be amputated immediately.

Apparently there is a photo of him in the Wallasey News 26/8/1916 but I haven't seen it yet, a visit to Wirral Archives is on the list!

Amanda

[MaryA]

We do love to see photos of our heroes, if you manage to get one don't forget to post it here for us to admire.