riversider: Relic of the past

Remains Found In A Derelict House

Mystery Remains
Police Are Asking For Help Concerning A House
In The Birkenhead Area
See Page 3

This heading in a local newspaper early 1970 led to a massive police enquiry.

The area involved had in the last five years been part of the re-development and reconstruction of Birkenhead town centre. Included in this was

St. Johns street upto Charing cross. eg., Cyprus, Catherine and Oliver St including Claughton road the main thoroughfare to Cole street school and Birkenhead park

This picture shows Charing X 1965 with the roundabout and a view of Grange rd with banks on the corners and cars parked down the rd which is now a pedestrian area.

It was during the demolition of this area that the workmen were shocked to come across a macabre find, in the cellar of one house in Claughton road, the remains of a human body, Was this a relic from the war, as this area had been quite heavily bombed during WW11, or something else, suicide, murder or an accidental death.

It was something that mystified the police and the local neighbours still living in the area.
It was some time later that the bones were identified as being between 1960-1970.

Who was this mysterious person?

What had happened and why?

It was many months after the police newspaper story that a man appeared at the Bridewell Police station at the Town Hall Hamilton Square that this story emerged.
He was in his early twenties with a fair complection, scars on his young face,left by either acne or chicken pox a common illness in those days. He had lanky blonde hair which was the modern style at this time dressed in a bomber jacket and drain pipe trousers. After introducing himself as Daniel Jones and explaining that he could maybe help the police with their enquiry that the police took notice of him and led him into an interview room. There they began began asking him questions and the following script is a sample of what transpired:-

Police Sergeant What is your name?
Daniel Jones Daniel Jones (D.J)
Police What information can you supply regarding this enquiry
D.J. I will tell you in my own words, if i may!
Police Okay you have been cautioned, the tape is running. Carry on!
D.J. When I was younger I lived in Cyprus st - a cellar house off Claughton rd. Nearby were corner shops selling 1d sweets, lollypos.liquorice, sherbets and apples all at 1d (pre/decimal ), and g/grocers on every corner with a cinema and laudrette were my Mum sent me with the washing every day as we did not have a washing machine like some people. Across the road was a convent called The Little Sisters of the Poor.
Police We don't want a history lesson here. Where is this leading?
D.J. Let me finish my story don't rush me, I 'll get to it soon enough.
Police Ok! Carry on!
D .J. Often tramps /down and outs or nutters as we children called them, arrived at the Convent to receive bread and water a few times a week, some of these were quite scary to us kids and one particular man I remember was called J.C. because of his long beard and hair and he walked around quoting the bible hence the name he had.
Police. Hold on! you are from rock ferry now aren't you? I still don't see where this is leading.
D.J. Yes, I live in Egerton Park now and as a child went to Rock Ferry for holidays to stay with cousins. I spent time swimming at Byrne Avenue baths, playing fooball in Victoria Park and came to appreciate the beauty and history of the area even played at Rock Park long before the by-pass was built . When eventually my family settled here in Rock Ferry with us kids ten years ago. In fact where I live now still has the old victorian houses with the same grandeur although most have become nursing homes. From my Aunties house I could look across the river Mersey and we had a perfect view of Anglican Cathedral.

Police What has this to do with the enquiry.
D.J. Well this enquiry took me back to the times we played in the derelict houses in the Birkenhead area, which had been emptied, boarded up. breaking in to play cowboys and indians, sometimes we came across tramps sleeping or bedding there. We were often chased by neighbours who had not been rehoused and they often called the police.
Police So let me ask you, what you are saying is that you think that this could be one of these tramps.!!
D.J. Yes! I just thought of those times and wondered if it could possibly be that old guy, J.C. who was always around and maybe the Convent records could help you as he was one that used the help from the nuns That's really what I meant. Do you think it could possibly be him?

Police Right! Well, we will certainly look into this. Thankyou for your time and information. We will follow this lead and let you know of the outcome as soon as we can.

It was some months later when the police called at Daniels house in Egerton Park, it was good news as far as he was concerned!!!

It had been proved after a lot of research through records photographs and DNA that the remains had been identified positively as J.C. or John Clarkson, Ex-prisoner of war, who had come back to Birkenhead after being held prisoner for two years in Japan. Unfortunately he had been mentally ill since and somehow had slipped the system at that time of receiving the controlled help he needed. He was traced through his army record and medals of service, which was phenominal and really should have been awarded a heroes recognition, and so the case was closed and the mystery solved.