Augustus Montague Hart was born c.1863 and was chairman of Abram Urban District Council from 1915 to 1924. He was a prominent figure in the Abram area having been managing director of Abram Collieries, Bickershaw (where in the 1911 Census he was a Secretary and listed as living in Hindley), chairman of the Abram Military Tribunal during WWI, a governor of Hindley and Abram Grammar School (where he had been educated) and a churchwarden at Bickershaw Parish Church for over 10 years. He was an honorary member of the Order of St. John and the president of the local ambulance centre during the war, on the governing body of Wigan Infirmary and also of Wigan and District Mining and Technical College. In those days businesses took part in the affairs of the local community; the Abram Coal Co., of which Hart was M.D., had a band who played at events such as the Abram Old People’s Treat.
He later lived in Lytham St. Anne’s and died there in 1930. He left £18240.4s.6d. to his widow and the company director.
Written by John Green
References
‘Mr A M Hart, J.P.’ Leigh Journal 17 October 1930
‘The Late Mr J [A] M Hart, J.P.’ Leigh Journal 24 October 1930
1911 census
England & Wales, national Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858 – 1966
‘The Major and his band: the story of Abram / Bickershaw Colliery Band’ by Keith Hollinshead