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 November 2022.

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• Littleborough and Wardle

Able Seaman Albert Kershaw

Albert was born in Littleborough on 9 July 1910, the son of Frank and Mary Crossley who in 1911 lived at 4 Hurstead Green. Albert married Annie Foxwell in Rochdale on 15 April 1933 and may well have moved down south. 30-year-old Able Seaman Kershaw D/JX 243416, Royal Navy, was killed on 26 November 1942 when the Clan McFadyen (DEMS), an armed merchantman was attacked by German Submarine U-508, two torpedoes struck her starboard side, breaking her in two and sinking within four minutes. He is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 65, Column 3 and Wardle War Memorial.

Sergeant Stanley Victor Crossley

Stanley Blackburn was born in late 1921, the son of Emmanuel and Louisa Crossley (nee Jackson) who married in Blackburn in spring of 1921. It is probable that his mother and his father (a journalist) lived at 2 Taylor Terrace in 1939. 21-year-old Sergeant Crossley 1127419, RAF, was killed on 30 November 1942 near Cirencester in a flying accident aboard Oxford II Serial No W6624 at No 6 P A F U Pilots Advanced Training Unit, Windrush, Gloucestershire. Stanley is buried in Blackburn Cemetery, Sec. D. Nonconformist. Grave 4415 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

• Milnrow

Able Seaman Edward Clegg

Edward was born in Rochdale on 10 May 1920, the son of Martha Clegg (nee Sladen) and the late Fred Clegg and he had a brother named Thomas, all of Milnrow, Lancashire. In 1939 his mother was recorded as living at 105 Drake Street being a cleaner in an iron foundry where she remained in 1942. Prior to enlisting, Edward was employed as a carder at Richard Barnes and Sons Ltd, Firgrove Mill.

22-year-old Able Seaman Clegg C/SSX 24435 Royal Navy H.M.S. Avenger was killed on 15 November 1942 when his ship (a Navy Escort Carrier) was sunk whilst heading towards the UK from Gibraltar by a torpedo from U-155. U-155 was scuttled 21 December 1945. Edward is remembered on CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL Panel 53, Column 2. Milnrow and St James War Memorials.

Private Walter Webster

Walter was born in Rochdale on 3rd March 1906, son of Walter and Eliza Webster of 4 Bingley Road. Walter played football for Rochdale AFC, originally as outside left and later as centre half during 1929 before being transferred to Sheffield Wednesday. There he married 24 year old Doris Siddall of 117 Ecclesfield Road, Sheffield at St Thomas Church in Sheffield on 16th August 1930. Walter later played at a number of other clubs including Rochdale again. In 1939, Walter, a Bricklayer was recorded with his sister Marion and father (retired) at 4 Bingley Road, Rochdale. He enlisted into the Grenadier Guards in March 1940 After transferring into the Parachute Regiment he undertook 9 drops without serious injury but 36 year old Private Webster 2620089, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, AAC was killed on 17th November 1942 due to a parachute malfunction during the capture of Beja (90 miles west of Tunis). He is buried in Medjez El Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia, Grave No 12 B 2 and is remembered on St Annes War Memorial.

Private Frank Cheetham

Frank was born in Rochdale on 17 November 1910, the son of Charles Edward and Bertha Cheetham, nee Hargreaves who lived at 101 Royds Street, Milnrow. In 1939 Frank, a branch salesman was recorded at 11 Royds Street, Milnow with his parents. Two years later when he joined up he had become the manager of Betterware, Middleton.

32-year-old Private Cheetham 4133170 2nd Battalion. Cheshire Regiment was originally reported as missing at Mersa Matruh June 1942 but subsequently died on 25 November 1942 . Frank was first buried at Macerata but reburied Ancona War Cemetery, Italy, Grave III A 7 on 19 January 1945. He is remembered on Milnrow and St James and Milnrow Working Men’s War Memorials.