Soldiers who died 75 or 80 years ago during World War Two

Volunteers at Littleborough History Centre have been researching the service personnel from the Pennine districts of Rochdale (Littleborough, Milnrow, Newhey, Smallbridge and Wardle) who died during World War Two.

Flying Officer Harold Hoyle - resident of Littleborough

Harold was born on 26 July 1914 with his birth registered in Rochdale. He was the son of Isaac and Elizabeth Hoyle (nee Sutcliffe) who later lived at 140 Holly Bank, Shore Road, Littleborough. Besides Harold, there were 3 brothers - Franks born 1912, Fred born 1916 and Clifford, 1917. When Harold lived in Littleborough he went to the Central School and was later employed by H Whittle Bakery in Featherstall as a motor driver.

In 1936, Harold joined the Lancashire Constabulary and later served in Leyland. In October 1938, Harold and another constable were awarded the police merit badge for diving into the Preston to Kendal (Lancaster) Canal and rescuing four Blackpool men trapped in a car, which had been accidentally driven off the wharf side. Harold married his wife, Joy Vause (Cause), in 1939 in Leyland. At the time the 1939 Register was compiled they lived at Wyre Bank, Garstang. Harold and Joy later moved to Churchtown, Garstang.

In 1941, Harold received permission from the Constabulary to leave and join the RAF where he subsequently became a flying officer. Having served for around 3 years, Joy, his wife who was staying with her parents at Balfour Street, Leyland, was officially advised that her 29-year-old husband, Harold was killed on active service on 21 January 1944. Details were provided in the Rochdale Observer of 25 January 1944.

Harold was buried in Leyland (St. Andrew) Churchyard, grave 10, plot 7, row O and his name is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Central School War Memorial (now in the History Centre).

Lance Bombardier Leonard Fogg - resident of Milnrow and Newhey

Leonard was born in Rochdale on 6 May 1918, the youngest child to Joseph and Ellen Fogg (nee Forrest) who were married in 1907 and had daughter Nora in 1914.

Leonard went to Lower Place Council School and before enlistment in 1935, he was employed in the warehouse of Arkwright Mill, Hamer. In 1939 his mother was a paid domestic help at 201 Belfield Road. Also living in the house was Nora Smith (nee Fogg, probably her daughter and Leonard’s sister) who was employed as a shoe and slipper machinist.

The Rochdale Observer for 27 March 1942 reported that his parents, living at 98 Royds Street, were notified that their youngest son, 23-year-old Leonard, had been posted as missing. Lance Bombardier Leonard Fogg, 850829, Royal Artillery 7 Coastal Regt, died on 19 January 1944 working as a Prisoner of War (POW) on the notorious Thailand - Burma Railway.

Leonard is buried in Chungkai War Cemetery, grave 1 E 5 and is remembered on the Roll of Honour of the Thailand/Burma Railway.

The Rochdale Observer of 21 August 1943 noted that Leonard was a prisoner of war and had been previously posted to Malaya and Singapore for some 6 years. The 6 January 1945 edition reported that his parents had been advised by Leonard that he was a POW following the fall of Singapore and was quite well. The last card he sent was during Christmas week of 1944.

In January 1945 the War Office notified his parents that returning PoWs had advised that their 25-year-old son had died and although not confirmed by the Japanese Authorities, there was no reason to doubt it.

John Travis Greaves - Petty Officer (Electrical Artificer 4th Class)

John was born in Chorlton on 24 September 1921. He was the son of Joseph Travis and Florrie Greaves (nee Stockley) who were married in 1920 and also had a daughter called Dorothy T, born 1924. John never married and worked at Birch Mill, Heywood but is believed to have lived in Milnrow.

Having joined the Navy, 22-year-old Petty Officer (Electrical Artificer 4th Class) J T Greaves, D/MX 102291, was killed when serving on HMS Hardy when his ship was attacked and seriously damaged by German Submarine No U-278 on 30 January 1944. The ship was attacked whilst escorting a Russian Convoy north of Norway.

Although badly damaged, the HMS did not sink but was purposely sunk by HMS Venus after the survivors had been rescued. Submarine U-278 was sunk by gunfire after the German surrender on the 31 December 1945.

John is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 90 Col 3, as well as on Milnrow and St James (Milnrow) War memorials. The Rochdale Observer for 19 February 1944 when reporting his death noted that official notification of his death was given to his paternal grandmother who lived at 77 Rochdale Road, Milnrow.

 

If anyone has any photographs of the soldiers, or additional information, please email Littleborough History Centre on lborohist@btvonnect.com