Soldiers who died 80 years ago during World War Two

To remember the fallen, 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 who died in January and February 1941.

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Guardsman George Howarth

George was born in Blackburn in early 1920, the son of Frederick Ughtred and Selina Howarth who in 1939 lived at 149 New Road, Littleborough. George was not recorded at the time and some records are not available, so it is unclear if he had a brother or whether there was a lodger. Presently, there are also no records of George’s employment.

21-year-old Guardsman Howarth 2657950, 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards died from head wounds on 5 January 1941 and was buried in Keren War Cemetery, Eritrea, Grave No 5 E 6.

George is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and St Andrew’s War Memorial.

His parents later lived in Shore, Littleborough.

 

 

Fusilier Norman Harry Smith

Norman was born on 4 February 1913, the son of Harry (a buffalo hide picker maker) and Alice Hannah Smith who lived at 161 Smithy Bridge Road together with his brother Jack.

Before joining the army early in 1940, Norman was a member of the Smithy Bridge Methodist Church as well as an active member of the Smithy Bridge Cricket Club. He was employed at Clegg and Brothers Mill in Rakewood.

28-year-old Fusilier Smith 3458712, 9th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in a road accident in Sussex on 10 February 1941; he had latterly been acting as a despatch rider. Following a service at Smithy Bridge Methodist Church, he was buried with full military honours at Shore (St. Barnabas) Churchyard, Row No 51 grave No 4 on 15 February 1941.

Besides his widower father - his mother died early in 1940 - his brother Jack, along with other family and friends, fellow cricketers and former colleagues from Clegg and Brothers Mill attended the service. Norman is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.