Thomas Joseph Kirnan

Thomas Joseph Kirnan was found dead in the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn.

He had lived at 26 Travis Street in Widness.

He was last seen alive on 1 January 1916 when he left work and called at several public houses for drink.

It was said that when he parted with his companion at 1.40pm he was the worse for drink. At about 3.45pm he left home telling his wife that he was going to see a Captain at the recruiting office to have another try at joining the army, it being noted that he had tried several times previously but because he was 49-years-old, he could not succeed.

That was the last that was seen of him although it was noted that he had been in the habit of going across to Runcorn every Saturday because the public houses were closed in Widnes and were open in Runcorn.

His body was found on the Tuesday morning floating in the ship canal by the captain of a tugboat.