George Edward Lorimer

Manningham's State Funeral

One of the most remarkable events of Manningham’s history came with the funeral of full back George Lorimer.

The Bradford Daily Argus said it was ‘a sad and imposing spectacle and probably such a sight has never been witnessed in Manningham’.

George Edward Lorimer was born on 26 February 1872. At fifteen he joined the junior team Manningham Free Wanderers, who played home games in Manningham Park. A couple of seasons saw him progress to Heaton FC and later Manningham’s A team.

He made his Manningham first team debut at Oldham on 19 September 1891 and never looked back. By 1892 he was beginning to emerge as a serious talent. He often represented Yorkshire at full back. His kicking game played a major part in Manningham winning the Northern Union Championship in 1896. He scored a third of Manningham’s entire points and was the League’s joint top scorer.

He played against Brighouse Rangers on 16 January 1897, but fell sick shortly afterwards. At first his illness wasn’t considered serious, but in early February typhoid was diagnosed and it began to cause serious concern. Manningham supporters began calling at the Bavaria pub – where Manningham secretary Ike Newton was landlord – to get the latest on George’s condition.

In the early hours of 8 February Manningham president James Freeman, Antonio Fattorini and Ike Newton were at his bedside. George was living with his brother John – a one time footballer - at 40 Springcliffe Street, Manningham.

At 5am George died aged only 24. His death sent shock waves through not only his community, but throughout the Northern Union game.

His funeral two days later on 10 February 1897 became a public event, the like of which Manningham had never seen. Hundreds of mourners walked in front of the horse drawn hearse. The procession began in Springcliffe Street at 2.30pm. All along the route, blinds were drawn and businesses closed as a mark of respect. Around 8,000 lined the route along Heaton Road, Parkside Road, Wilmer Road and up Emm Lane to Heaton Baptist Chapel.

The procession was led by Manningham members, followed by representatives of public bodies, the Yorkshire Senior Competition, Bradford FC committee and players, Manningham players and committee, the hearse and finally carriages for the chief mourners.

The Manningham players wore a claret and amber badge, made up of crape and ribbons – they were later dropped one by one into the grave. Eight of George’s team-mates acted as bearers. The former Manningham and England player Eddie Holmes was the undertaker.

George was interred in the family grave in Heaton Baptist Burial Ground. There was talk of the club erecting a memorial over his grave. However, in May 1899 a cheque for £200 was handed to Bradford’s Children’s Hospital for the installation of a ‘George E Lorimer Cot’. A statuette of a rugby player, executed by local artist S Charnock, was placed on a pedestal near the cot.

Thanks to Gary Curtis for the Memorial Baines card

The Lorimer family grave in Heaton Cemetery. The inscription to George himself is on the shile to the right.