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 September 2020.

The second world war ended on 2 September 1945 and the deaths of soldiers listed here who died in 1945 were caused by accidents or from injuries received.

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Aircraftman Lambert Howarth

Lambert was born in Heywood on 25 December 1921, the son of Frank (a railway goods guard) and Isabella Howarth (nee Brockenshaw) and in 1939 they lived at 239 Albert Royds Street, Rochdale. By that time they had another son, Frederick, at school.

Prior to joining up in April 1939, Lambert was employed by the Victoria Dyeing Co Works in Smithy Bridge and played cricket for the Smithy Bridge team.

Having served for just 18 months, 18-year-old Aircraftman 1st Class Howarth 640256, serving with 961 Balloon Sqdn, Royal Air Force was killed in action on 11 September 1940 when at 18.50 hours bombs dropped on the Grand Hotel and other buildings nearby. Lambert is buried in Dover (St James) Cemetery, Row A, Joint Grave 11 and is remembered on St Annes War Memorial. The Rochdale Observer carried details on Lambert.

Private Wilfred Chorlton

Wilfred was born in Doncaster in the late summer of 1918, the son of Alfred and Lily Chorlton (nee Gasgoine) who later lived in Littleborough. Prior to enlisting in June 1939, Wilfred was employed by Fothergill and Harvey’s and played in their sports teams.

After service in Norway and Iceland, Private Chorlton went to Normandy. Unfortunately, after serving throughout the war, 27-year-old Private Chorlton 4748412, The Hallamshire Bn., York and Lancaster Regiment, died in a German hospital on 10 September 1945 from injuries sustained in an accident when his Bren gun carrier lost a track and it crashed into a tree. Wilfred is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery 59, grave H 13 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

The Rochdale Observer of 29 September 1945 carried details of his accident, service and added that two of his brothers were in the service - Alfred in Italy and Herbert in Austria.

Leading Aircraftman Frank Buckley

Frank was born in Milnrow on 31 December 1911, the son of James Burton and Sarah Ann Buckley (nee Hill) married in 1911, of Smithy Bridge, Littleborough. At the time the 1939 register was compiled, Frank was a glazier and lived with his wife Doris Buckley (nee Pickles) at 2 Elm Street, Littleborough. They were married in Rochdale in 1936 and had a daughter Margaret, born on 26 June 1939, and later a son, Frank.

Doris died of a cerebral haemorrhage in October 1940, aged 28, and at her funeral wreaths were received from colleagues at Basil Liddle & Co, Smithy Bridge. At an inquest it was recorded that she died from natural causes. Frank later married Alice Sutcliffe at Ogden Baptist Church in 1944.

33-year-old Leading Aircraftman Buckley 1049491, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, died on 14 September 1945 and is buried in Heliopolis War Cemetery, Egypt, grave 6H5. Frank is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and on Milnrow War Memorial. The Rochdale Observer of 22 September 1945 carried sentiments from his wife and two children who lived at 5 Berrys Mill Yard, Newhey as well as other family members and friends. A later edition on 3 October 1945 referred to mention of his death at a service in Ogden Baptist Church.