Soldiers who died 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 80 years anniversary occurs in September and October 2022.

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• Littleborough and Wardle

Sergeant John Raymond Stott

John Raymond was born on 17 October 1921, the son of Arnold and Seba Ann Stott (nee Fielden) who were married during 1919 in Rochdale. John had been educated at Bury Grammar School. Whilst they had lived in Bamford, in 1939 the family was at The Hollies, East Street, Wardle. John R was a shipping clerk. Also present were his mother and father a surgical dressing manufacturer, brother Edward Arnold was an apprentice in an electrical switchgear company and younger siblings Walter and Jessie were at school. Prior to enlisting John worked in the export department of Messrs Rylands Ltd, Manchester.

20-year-old Sergeant Stott 1439951 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 21 September 1942 flying Whitley 29472 of 10 OTU during an anti-submarine patrol ran out of fuel, believed due to worsening weather conditions and crashed into the sea. It had been flying out of St Eval, Cornwall. John is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 94 as well as on the Wardle War Memorial. The Rochdale Observer of the 3 October 1942 reporting his death noted that his father was a Justice of the Peace and that his brother Edward A was back in action in the Middle East.

Lance Bombardier John William Howarth

John William was born in Littleborough early in 1907, the son of Frederick Ughtred and Selina Howarth, of Shore, Littleborough, Lancashire. In 1911 he was recorded as living with his grandfather at 10 Charles Street. In 1939 his mother was living in Woods Passage with Alex Cottrell (possibly John's younger brother). John's father Frederick was killed during the Battle for Loos during WW1.

John was educated at the Duke of York’s Military School in Brentwood and at 18 enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment serving in India and Shanghai for nine years. Returning to civilian life he was employed by the GPO as a wireman in Halifax but living in Dearnley.

John re-joined the army in 1938 serving with the heavy anti-aircraft section of the Royal Artillery and sailing to Hong Kong on September 1938. With the capitulation of Hong Kong, John became a prisoner of war under the Japanese.

35-year-old Lance Bombardier Howarth 3382511, 12 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery drowned on 1st/2nd October 1942 whilst in hold no 3 of the Lisbon Maru which was torpedoed by US Submarine Grouper. 1,816 POWs were on board with almost all lost as the hatches were battened down. The ship was en route from Hong Kong to Shanghai. John is remembered on the Sai Wan Memorial, column 3, on Littleborough Cenotaph as well as the Wardle War Memorial.

Sick Berth Attendant Donald Webb

Donald was born on 18 May 1920, the son of William H. and Annie M. Webb (nee Jones) who were married  in Rochdale in autumn 1902, of Smallbridge, Lancashire. In 1939 his parents were recorded as living at 4 Waterside, Wardle but Donald was not present.

22-year-old Sick Berth Attendant Webb D/MX 57578 Royal Navy 02/10/1942 H.M.S. Tamar drowned on 1st/2nd October 1942 whilst travelling on the Lisbon Maru which was torpedoed by US Submarine Grouper. 1,816 POWs were on board with almost all lost as the hatches were battened down. The ship was en route from Hong Kong to Shanghai. Donald is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial panel 71, column 2 but not on any known local war memorial.

John William Howarth and Donal Webb are both remembered on the Lisbon Maru Memorial which was unveiled on 3 October 2021 at the National Memorial Arboretum.