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

Littleborough Cenotaph

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 June or July 2020. The war in Europe ended on 8 May 1945 and casualties were much reduced after that date.

• Littleborough & Wardle

Driver Geoffrey Crossley

Geoffrey was born in Todmorden on 20 September 1925, the son of Archie and Mabel Marion Crossley nee Dawson who in 1939 lived at Ashenhurst Farm House, Todmorden.

His father was a general labourer at a dairy farm whilst Geoffrey remained at school. The family were later recorded in Littleborough, Lancashire.

19-year-old Driver Crossley, T/14987981, Royal Army Service Corps, died on 13 August 1945 and is buried in Maynamati War Cemetery, Bangladesh, grave No 3 E 16. Geoffrey is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and on Holy Trinity War Memorial

• Milnrow & Newhey

Lieutenant John Edward Davies

John was born early in 1918, the son of George Edward and Elsie Davies of Deeplish. Prior to joining the services in 1935 he was a trainee loom jobber. Whilst on leave he married Jane Hatton at St Marys Balderstone on 14 September 1940. Jane lived with her parents at 44 Digby Road until prior to him being on leave in August 1945 when she moved into 23 Osborne Street with their daughter Patricia.

Lieutenant Davies served in Egypt and was in Malta in 1942. Three years later he was in Italy near to Bologna as reported in the Rochdale Observer on 27 May 1942. Three months later 27-year-old Lieutenant John Edward Davies, 311853, Kings Own Royal (Lancaster) Regiment was at home on 24 August 1945 with his family when an incident occurred with items included in a bag he had sent home (these included a hand grenade). The resultant explosion killed Lt Davies instantly and seriously injured his wife Jane and his daughter Patricia who were both hospitalised. The Rochdale Observer reported in both August and September 1945 on his inquest as well as including sentiments from his family and friends. John is buried in Rochdale Cemetery, Square Z 3 C of E 37254 and is remembered on St Annes War Memorial.