John Edward Tanner was born in Minshull Vernon on 1 September 1891. His parents were George and Elizabeth. His siblings were Richard Samuel b1888, Mary Elizabeth b1890, Ruth b1894, Clara Edith b1896, James Hardcastle b1900 and Reuben b1904. George was the station master at Minshull Vernon near Nantwich, before being appointed as station master at Moore in 1903. He and the family lived in the station house. John followed him into the railway service.
John was a junior porter in the village from September 1905. His starting salary was 7/-, rising to 15/- by December 1909. By contrast, his father was much better paid. In August 1903, his annual salary was £71 10s.
John joined the Royal Engineers, service number 210447, but his father continued to work as station master throughout the war. John’s identity certificate from 1916, records him as being a station master, but he still lived at the Station House, Moore. Maybe both he and his father shared the post?
We know he spent some time in France. Railways provided a vital means of transport for artillery and machinery, men and goods.
John married Annie Lloyd in 1920. They had one daughter, Joan b1925. In 1939, the family was living at 10 Frederick St, Warrington. John was a freight rolling stock inspector.
John died in 1963, in Warrington. He was 72 years old.