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

Gunner Clifford Fitton is buried in Wardle (St. James) Churchyard, Grave B18

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 article details local soldiers from Smallbridge who died in October 1946 and November 1941.

Gunner Clifford Fitton

Clifford was born on 16 October 1903 in Smallbridge, the son of John and Sarah Ann Fitton. In 1911, Clifford lived with his family at 1 Green Lane, Smallbridge. John was at school and his father was a colliery manager. Also in the home were his 10 brothers and three sisters and together their ages ranged from  24 to one years old, whilst both parents were 48.

Clifford married Margaret McCormick in Rochdale on 30 March 1929. At the time, Clifford was living at 561 Halifax Road whilst Margaret lived at number 511. Birth records include a James M born in 1934 and a Mildred born in 1939 to parents; father named Clifford and mother named McCormick. This suggests that James and Mildred may well have been the children of Clifford and Margaret, but this has not been confirmed.

Just seven days after his 43rd birthday, Gunner Fitton 1825503, Royal Artillery, died on 23 October 1946, presumably from injuries received during the war. There was an obituary notice for Clifford Fitton in Birch Hill Hospital aged 43, husband of Margaret, 12 Elm Grove, Wardle.

His funeral took place at 3.00pm on Saturday 26 October 1946 with Clifford being buried in Wardle (St. James) Churchyard, Grave B18.

Lance Corporal Howard Holroyde

Howard was born in Old Sowerby Bridge in early 1906, the son of Howard and Isobella Holroyde. In 1911, the family of nine children including Howard (scholar) lived at 6 Carlton Street, Sowerby Bridge. Howard’s father was employed as a coachman in a livery stable.

Howard married Lily Uttley of 11 Filey Street, Smallbridge in the late spring of 1935.  Prior to enlisting, Howard worked for R Sharples in Belfiled.

36-year-old Lance Corporal Holroyde 4742461, York and Lancaster Regiment, was in the Middle East (probably North Africa) for some 18 months before being injured whilst probably garrisoned in the isolated but fortified Coastal town of Tobruk in Libya. Howard died on 26 November 1941 and is buried in Tobruk War Cemetery, Grave 8 F 13.

The Rochdale Observer of 13 November 1941 carried detail about Howard and family messages were also recorded in that issue, as well as in the following week and in the edition of 28 November 1942.