Transcript of two odd pages from a letter from Ralph Copeland to Fred Holloway – pages 5 and 6. Probably the first in the sequence.

…I left Gorton. My poor wife, whom you will recollect, died at Gottingen in November 1866. Eventually I married again at the end of 1871 when I was well settled in Parsonstown with Lord Rosse – my two eldest children are married – one in Germany, the other in British Columbia – and even the eldest of my four younger children (a daughter) is married. Three others are at home here. Of these a son and daughter are studying, while the youngest – 11 ½ years old is being taught nearby at home.

Of all our Gorton friends I only hear occasionally from Mr Harland, who still drops me a line or a cutting from Brighton. Twice I revisited the foundry at Gorton but didn’t see many of the old faces there. Jim Ellis (of connecting rods) was dead, I remember, and many others had removed to other towns. I shall be glad to hear that your time has passed pleasantly. I am sure you have been hard at work somewhere.

It is almost too much to hope that Ned Booth is alive and hearty but I should be pleased…