Wigan Album

cracking photo that janice, never seen one of young bill so young thanks for sharing.

I remember my Dad used to tell me that Old Bill was his cousin and how he had a haulage business in Ashton. My Dad used to tell me stories about how Old Bill used to deal with several US military guys from Burtonwood all at once when they looked for a bit of action at the pub on Rag Brow (and the local bobbies). I think it might have been called the Golden Ball then, just opposite Soughers Lane, if my memory is right. I met 'young' Billy many years later when he was working the King of Clubs in King Street Wigan. That is another story and he was a good guy.

Thats right David old Bill was your dad Thomas cousin and he did have a haulage yard at North Ashton. He also took a dislike to the italians from the prisoner of war camp in Ashton due to his 3 brothers being in the war (old Bill was doing his bit in Ashton).When the police wanted a word with him they allways had to send 3 or 4 and later on in his life when he had been out in Ashton and fell asleep on the library wall they had to go and get young Bill to go and wake him up because he wouldnt take to kindly to them doing it.Its nice to see another Ryder commenting on the old family photos.My husband was named after his dad William he being young Bills son and our son is also called William.The name William Ryder we have found goes back to 1860.

auntie janice these pics are beltin, good owd
bill!!!!

Hi Janice. Are you still there? I'd be very interested to talk about tracing family history. Dave

I was born in 1934. At 11yrs old went to Aston Central School, where I was bullied along with others by Bill Ryder & his gang.