our lady's rc church, celeveland st birkenhead

[clingov1]

am trying to find out about the history of the church, I believe my mothers husband helped save the live of the parish priest during the blitz in Birkenhead, but sadly my mother is no longer with us so I can't find out any info re Birkenhead during the blitz. I googled and came up with an out of stock book on amazon so any suggestions will be gratefully received.

[Certacito]

Try below.  This is the main catholic church for Birkenhead these days and should be able to give you more information.

St Werburgh's R C Church
Roman Catholic
Grange Precinct,, 
Birkenhead
L41 2XZ   
Tel: 01516479124

[Colin D Gronow]

Not sure if it's the same one, but:-

During the Blitz of 1941 May 1st-4th Church of Our Lady, Price Street received a direct hit. Canon Tallon killed.

Taken from "Birkenhead at War 1939-45".

[clingov1]

many thanks Gwernion, this is the very same church and the same priest!

[aghadowey]

Rec'd as a Report to Moderator from a new member (welcome and feel free to post on the thread by clicking on Reply button)-

"Canon John Tallon was the parish priest at Our Lady's on the 12th March 1941 during an iair raid the presbytery was demolished by a landmine. Canon Tallon was sheltering in the cellar with the housekeeper & maid & all 3 were killed. It was a week later when the bodies were found under the ruins of the presbytery the Canon still had the rosary in his hand. He was buried in Flaybrick cemetery."

[Morganllan]

This site has some details of the Church history, and names the housekeeper as Catherine Ryan, and the housemaid as Kathleen Creehan:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0it8/

According to freebmd, Catherine Ryan was 40 years old, Kathleen Crehan just 21 years old, and Canon John J Tallon was 61 years old.

[Levenshulme Lass]

Canon Tallon would have been my great (or great great) uncle.   I believe he didn't survive the bombing.  I would be interested to hear more about him.

[clingov1]

I always remember my mum telling me about when the church was bombed. My mums family lived in Carrington Street (no longer there now) and Our Lady's was always our family Church. I was married there as were my mum and dad. During the war my mums 1st husband was part of the rescue party after the bombing. I believe it was some time before they reached all the bodies. Thats about all I know except for the deceased names which I located via other avenues. Good luck with your family research.