Soldiers who died 80 years ago during World War Two

The roll of honour board for Breda Visada employees

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 80 years anniversary occurs in March or April 2022.

• Littleborough & Wardle

Sergeant Alfred Jelly

Alfred was born in Chorlton on 8 May 1912, the son of Alfred and Lilian Mary who later lived in Wardle as confirmed by the 1939 Register noting they were at 12 Birch Avenue together with sister Nina born in 1914. His father Alfred, a Commercial clerk was 53 whilst his mother was 58. Alfred himself was a Rayon Yarn Salesman with Nina being a Rayon Yarn Winder and Reeler, both working for Breda Visada in Littleborough.

Prior to joining the RAF in August 1940 he was well known in the Rochdale area from his interests in athletics, football and cricket. Having been reported as missing in March 1942 it was not until August 1942 until it was officially reported that 25 year old Sergeant Jelly 1309716, 142 Squadron, RAF was killed in action (together with the remaining 5 crew members) when their Wellington Bomber IV Z1321 QT-V was attacked and downed during Operation Essen on 26 March 1942. Sergeant Jelly is buried in The Hague (Westduin) General Cemetery, Netherland in the Allied Plot. Row 1. Grave 21. He is remembered on St Andrews and Breda Visada War Memorials.

Able Seaman Philip Harwood

Philip was born in Littleborough on 29 April 1917, the son of Joseph and Annie Harwood who in 1939 all lived at 95 Tweedale St, Rochdale with a younger male. Philip married Joan Cuerden in Rochdale during Autumn 1940 and prior to joining up was a boot repairer employed by Bert Astles - shoe repairers Yorkshire Street.

25-year-old Able Seaman Harwood D/JX 304901 HMS Dorsetshire, Royal Navy was killed in action on 5 April 1942 when his ship was sunk by aircraft from a Japanese Aircraft Carrier some 300 miles west of Colombo (then Ceylon). 227 lives were lost. Philip Harwood is not remembered on any local War Memorial. At the time of his death his twin brother was in Canada.

Sergeant Pilot Harold James Bennett

Harold was born in Rochdale early in 1921, the son of Thomas Henry and Hilda Bennett (nee Jackson). Prior to enlisting in August 1940, he lived at 1 Grove, Todmorden Road, Littleborough and worked for Breda Visada Ltd. He was an old boy of Holy Trinity Church School and Heywood Grammar School.

21-year-old Sergeant Pilot Bennett 1014694 104 Squadron. RAF on 27 April 1942 when his Wellington II bomber Z8500 "B" was hit by flak and burnt /crashed into the sea. Sgt H J Bennett was part of the crew of the Wellington bomber which took off from Landing ground No 106 to attack landing grounds at Martuba. An aircraft was seen caught by flak in searchlights, going down into the sea and bursting into flames.

The full crew were Sgt H J Bennett, Sgt W J Brandon RNZAF, F/Sgt D Gilligan, Sgt D Scully, Sgt J R Martin, Sgt H M McHarg. Two crew were reported buried by the Germans but their graves were never found. All are accordingly commemorated on the Alamein Memorial.