Relic Of The Past

This heading in a local newspaper early 1976 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. John's street up to Charing Cross. eg. Cyprus, Catherine and Oliver St., including Claughton road, the main thoroughfare to Cole street school and Birkenhead Park.

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 remain of a human body. Was this a relic from the war? This area had been quite heavily bombed during WWII. After some time the bones were identified as more recent - 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 in Hamilton Square that this story emerged.

Claughton Road today

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 modren style at this time, and was 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 this enquiry the police took notice of him and led him into an interview room. There they began began interviewing him and the following script is a sample of what transpired:-

Little Sisters of The Poor Convent

Police Sergeant: What is your name?
Man: Daniel Jones 
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, lollypops, liquorice, sherbets and apples all at 1d (pre/decimal), and a grocers on every corner with a cinema and laudrette where my Mum sent me with the washing every day as we didn't 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's this leading?

Byrne Avenue Baths

D.J: Let me finish my story if I may. I 'll get to it soon...
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, one man in particular.  I remember he was called J.C. because of his long beard and hair and he walked around quoting the bible.  Hence his nickname.
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 family. I spent time swimming at Byrne Avenue baths, playing fooball in Victoria Park and came to appreciate the beauty and history of the area and eventually me and my family settled here. In fact where I live now still has the old victorian houses with the same grandeur although most have become nursing homes.

Egerton Park

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 that old guy, J.C. who was always around.  Maybe the convent records could help you as he used to get help from the nuns. That's really what I meant. Do you think it could possibly be him?

Nursing Home in Egerton Park

Police: Right! Well, we will certainly look into this. Thank you 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 Daniel's 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 phenomenal - he should have been awarded a hero's recognition.  And so the case was closed and the mystery solved.

Mr. Daniel Jones attended the memorial service later that month.