Henry Oswald William: Appeal to find family of church architect and WW1 army pilot before 100 year anniversary of death

Henry Oswald William

Father Paul Daly, of St Joseph’s Parish in Heywood, is appealing for the family of his church’s architect, Henry Oswald William, for permission to honour him 100 year after his death.

Henry Oswald William, who designed St Joseph’s and also St. John the Baptist Church in Rochdale, was also a WW1 Army Flying Corp Pilot who tragically died in action in 1917.

As he was out at war and died just one year after St Joseph’s was built, it is possible he never saw his church in full glory, says current Father Daly. However, as his 100th anniversary nears, Father Daly says it is time to pay him the recognition he deserves.

Hence the appeal to trace the family of Captain Henry Oswald William. If successful, and permission is granted, Father Daly is hoping to have a street named after the pilot and architect, possibly on a new development across from the Heywood church.

He said: ““This is a very moving story on a number of levels and I think a lot of people will be interested to know about him. I raised it as a possibility to name a street after him but of course it is standard practice to request permission from the family first.

“So, we are looking for the relatives of Henry Oswald William in order to ask them for the go ahead. Next year will actually mark 100 years since he died in action, which would be a perfect time to honour him, we just hope we can get hold of them.”

Councillor Alan McCarthy, Rochdale Borough Council Lead Member Armed Forces, said: “Captain Henry Oswald William Hill MC gave so much to Heywood as a community,. He paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War. It is important as a community that we remember him.”

Harry died on the 21 October 1917 on a night flight, along with his air mechanic, the purpose of which was to test out his guns, and was seen to crash behind the German lines. The British authorities did not receive notification of his death until January 1918. The message received by the War Office was chilling, “Died, disc sent to Berlin, Nov. 6th. No details given.”

Born in Lymm on the 11 February 1888, he was the eldest son of Oswald Hill, a prominent Catholic layman and architect, old boy of the Salford Catholic Grammar School and Secretary of the College Old Boys Association. Oswald designed the College Chapel in 1897.

His mother was Mary Josephine.

Harry received private tuition until the 13 September 1897 when he was admitted to St Bede’s, staying until midsummer 1903.

He then attended the University of Manchester where he studied architecture, graduating top of his class and was taken into his father's practice and
together they designed some of the Salford Diocese’s finest Edwardian Byzantine style churches; St Joseph Heywood, English Martyrs, Urmston and St John the Baptist, Rochdale.

Do you know anyone who was related to Henry Oswald William?

Contact the Newsdesk:

news@rochdaleonline.co.uk

01706 523583.