Tom Schofield

Tom Schofield was Ena Sharples's older brother who emigrated to the USA in 1912 and lived out his days there.

Like Ena, Tom grew up in Weatherfield at 65 Inkerman Street. He had another sister, Alice, but seemed to have been closer to Ena. Albert Tatlock described him as a "strapping lad". Upon deciding to make a life for himself in America, Tom tried to gain passage on the Titanic. News of the ship's sinking reached his family's ears before they learned that he hadn't raised enough money for the fare. Instead, he set sail from Liverpool.

Tom settled in Nebraska, married and had two sons, Tom and Clifford. By 1965, he was a grandfather but as sprightly as ever. He'd lost touch with his family back home not long after emigrating, much to his disappointment.

When his grandson Tom was due in the UK for work purposes, Tom asked him to find Ena and persuade her to come and stay at his log cabin between Omaha and Sioux City, Nebraska, putting up the air fare himself. The younger Tom successfully tracked down Ena and, after nearly turning him down on account of her age, she agreed to go to America with him. Tom and Ena had a joyful reunion with Ena later remarking that she'd never seen Tom so happy. That Christmas, Tom sent Ena a rocking chair.

Tom passed away in his sleep in May 1973. His grandson Tom and wife Faye-Marie delivered the news to Ena just under a week later during a visit to the UK for the Manchester Festival. Ena was saddened by the news but felt comforted by the fact that he hadn't suffered.