Thomas Ismay to be remembered

Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line, which owned the Titanic, is to be commemorated by a blue plaque. It is to be installed at Winchester House, Beach Lawn, the family home till 1865, before they moved to Cheshire in 1922. Many parties and company board meetings were held here and it is said that every White Star steamer that passed on the river, would sound its siren in salute to Ismay. Bruce Ismay, Thomas's son, who also lived at Winchester House, was on the Titanic when she went down on her maiden voyage in 1912. He was one of the few men who escaped. Merseyside is the first place outside London where the homes or workplaces of famous citizens are to be commemorated with Blue Plaques. There are 15 plaques to be installed in the region during the next 12 months, including one for John Lennon.