By Debbie Sayers Fullwood
This is Alfred George Keats, from Southport, who signed up to join the British Army aged just 16 years old.
It is a fitting image for Remembrance Day 2020.
Alfred, who was born in 1900 and lived on Boundary Street in Southport, signed up to join the war effort and was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
On his return home he helped to build the iconic Garrick Theatre, designed by George Tonge, on Lord Street in Southport.
Matcham’s Opera House, which originally stood on the site, burned down in 1929.
The new Theatre, advertised at the time to be the most beautiful Art Deco theatre in Europe, opened its doors in 1932 with a live production of the mystery drama ‘Firebird’ starring Gladys Cooper.
Alfred was employed as the fireman for the building and became a well known and much loved character there.
It’s told that he asked to borrow the theatre’s bunting after he heard that troops, Southport lads, were returning from Burma after the Second World War ended, without much of a celebration. He apparently decorated King Street in Southport in an effort to give these brave servicemen, including former Far East Prisoners Of War (FEPOWS) a fit and proper welcome home.
Alfred’s daughter, Ann Hindley, who still lives in the town remembers: “I got the opportunity to perform at the theatre that my Father had helped to build and where he worked, in the 1955 performance of the pantomime “Dick Whittington” with many famous stars of the day.”
Ann later met and became great friends with the daughter of one of those returning servicemen that her Dad had welcomed home all those years ago, after both joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Southport.
They continue where their Fathers’ efforts left off and still serve the community together.
Ann said: “We both also always try to ensure that VJ Day is commemorated appropriately within our field of influence.
“That’s our shared tribute to our wonderful Dads.”
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