In 1939, George Ellis spent his first day as a choirboy at St George’s Church, Bolton, and here is the photograph to prove it.

George, now aged 80, second from left in the picture, brought the photograph into the office and said he remembers most of the friends from St George’s School, who joined the choir with him. However, some of the names are unknown.

From left: Unknown first name Jones, George Ellis, Jim Woodward, unknown first name Hewitt and Kenneth Atkinson. George said the the vicar was known simply as the Rev Jones. He said: “I never heard a first name or even an initial, for him.”

George remained with the choir for three years until his voice broke.

He said: “The choirmaster was one of the sons of the Booth’s steelworks people. He was very strict with us.

“We had to sing twice on Sundays, morning and evening, and choir practice was on Thursday night.”