Soldiers who died 80 years ago in 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 article details local soldiers who died in January 1942.

---

• Littleborough

Sergeant Pilot Donald Lawton

Donald was born on 14 August 1920, the son of George and Evelin Lawton, of Littleborough, Lancashire and in 1939 he lived with his parents and sister Hilda at 15 Mount Avenue.

Like his father, Donald was a railway clerk working at Shaw and Crompton station as well as at Littleborough station.

He was a member of the Greenhill Methodist Church and Sunday School. Donald joined the RAF and in 1940 volunteered for flying duties. had undertaken several sorties over enemy but during a flight operation Sergeant Pilot Lawton 1060140, 106 Squadron, was killed on 14 January 1942 when his Hampden I AE292, flying out of Coningsby stalled, spun and crashed at Butterwick near Boston. Both of the two crew members were killed.

The Rochdale Observer of 21 January 1942 reported that Donald was buried at Hopton Congregational Church burial ground in Mirfield. His coffin was draped with the Union Jack flag and amongst the floral tributes was one from the staff at Shaw and Crompton station.

Donald is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Greenhill War Memorial.

---

• Milnrow

Lance Sergeant James Rutherford

James was born in Lanchester on 21 February 1914, the son of William and Elizabeth Rutherford.

In 1939 James lived at 2 Cleveland Street, South Shields, County Durham, with his widower father, a mine deputy, and brother William (a platelayer on the railway).

James married Annie Halson at St Thomas’ Church in Newhey on 25 November 1939. Annie Rutherford (née Halson) was recorded in the 1939 Register as living at 20 Two Bridges Road, Newhey, Lancashire.

The Rochdale Observer of 25 January reported that James had been in the Regular Army for many years and had served four years in India. He re-joined in 1939.

Nearing 28 years old, Lance Sergeant Rutherford 317493, Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards), Royal Armoured Corps was killed in action on 25 January 1942 during an Axis counter offensive (the Battle of Alamein) which took place in Egypt between January and February 1942.

Lance Sergeant James is remembered on Alamein Memorial, column 15 and on the Milnrow War Memorial.