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.

This list is of men whose 75 or 80 years anniversary occurs in March 2020.

---

• Littleborough, Wardle & Smallbridge

Gunner Alec Lysons

Alec was born in Blackburn in 1918, believed to be the son of Edward and Hetty Lysons (nee Jones) who married in 1917. Alec married Catherine Whittam in Blackburn during 1939. Also in 1939, it is believed that his mother (then aged 43) and her youngest son Edward (then aged 15) were living at 72 Summit, but neither Alec or brother William were recorded.

27-year-old Gunner Lysons 940385, 131 Field Regt. Royal Artillery was killed on 24 March 1945 whilst walking along with his Bty Commander John Reynold MC and three of his mates at Vynen Germany.

Gunner Lysons was buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, grave 54 D 1 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

 

Lance Corporal John Brandrick

John was born on 12 June 1914, the son of George and Mary Brandrick (nee Bedford) who in 1939 lived at Lee Bank Cottage, Whitelees Road together with Harriet Helen and Pte Arthur Brandrick (serving with 2/6th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. John married Annie Shepherd in Littleborough on 26 November 1939.

25-year-old Lance Corporal Brandrick 3445847. 2/5th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed on 25 March 1940 when he was fatally injured after being knocked down by Ribble bus at Burnley bus station (or Cattle Market). This happened after John attended a dance, shortly after 10pm during the blackout. A young girl, Veronica O’Brien, age 16, was seriously injured.

The Rochdale Observer of 6 April 1940 reported on his military funeral. After a service at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Featherstall, he was buried with full military honours in St Barnabas Cemetery, Shore, Row 20. Grave 16. The edition of 30 March 1942 carried sentiments from his family then living at 4 Higher Shore Road, Littleborough. John is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

 

Private John Holt

John was born in Qtr 3 of 1924, the son of Wilfred and Jane Holt (nee Crabtree) who were married in St John’s Church in 1922. In 1939, John’s parents were living at 9 Whipp Street, Rochdale with his sister Beulah. His parents later lived at 93 Wardle Road, Rochdale.

Prior to enlisting John worked for Messrs Carrington and Dewhurst in Smallbridge.

20-year-old Private John Holt, 14393942, 8th Bn Royal Scots was involved in the D-Day landings but was killed on 26 March 1945 during the crossing of the Rhine, which occurred between 22-28 March 1945. John was buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, grave No 58 F 12 and is remembered on Wardle and St John’s, Smallbridge War Memorials.

 

Sergeant Herbert Kitchener Hurst

Herbert was born on 17 June 1917, the son of Robert and Martha Jane who in 1939 lived at LM Lea Ratten Lane, Prescot together with two females named Margaret M. Herbert married Winifred Earley in Wigan and they lived together at 97 Scotchbar Lane, Prescott.

Prior to enlisting, Herbert was a member of the mobile section of the Lancashire Police Force stationed at Prescott. In the RAF, Herbert served with Bomber Command and was a Bomb Aimer who had completed 16 sorties over enemy territory.

28-year-old Sergeant Hurst 1588410 died on 26 March 1945 as a result of an accident at base, presumably trying to defuse a bomb or missile for which he was not trained. The Coroner registered ‘accidental death’.

Five weeks prior to his death, Herbert (father of a son) had visited his mother who lived at 22 Spenwood Road, Littleborough. Herbert was buried in Wigan Cemetery, Sec. C. R.C., Grave 241 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

 

• Milnrow & Newhey

Private Richard Sanderson Mellor

Richard was born on 14 February 1914, the son of Samuel Sanderson (killed during World War One) and Dinah Mellor (nee Liversedge) and brother of Edna, all of whom lived in Belfield. Richard married Margaret Brennan in Rochdale Registry Office on 11 January 1936.

In 1939, Richard’s parents lived at 27 Basil Street.

Prior to enlisting in 1940, Richard was a labourer with builders R and T Howarth Ltd.

31-year-old Private Mellor 378 991, 7th Bn, Somerset Light Infantry went to France during the Normandy landings but later died of wounds on 29 March 1945, He is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany, Collective Grave 9 D 1`6-19 and is remembered on St Ann’s War Memorial.

The Rochdale Observer of 14 April 1945 in recording his death noted that his wife and two children Maureen and Richard, were living at his mother’s address. That edition also carried sentiments from his close family and relatives.