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 May and June 2023.

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• Littleborough and Wardle

Driver Fred Bellenger

Fred was born on 8 September 1914, the third son of Charles Henry and Betsy Bellenger who later lived at 66 Birch Road, Wardle. On 28 August 1938 he married Florence Mitchell, Littleborough. In 1939 they were living at 20 Sun Street and Fred was working as a bread and confectionary salesman and driver. His wife Florence, born on 18 December 1915 was a woollen weaver. Prior to enlisting the couple lived at 11 George Street, Littleborough and worked for J Clifton Ltd, Featherstall and Fred was associated with Spring Mill Walk Methodist Church in Smallbridge.

28-year-old Driver Bellenger T/3777260, Royal Army Service Corps, drowned on active service on 14 June 1943 and was buried with Full Military honours at Calderbrook (St. James) Churchyard in Row 35. Grave 9. Fred is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Holy Trinity War Memorials. He left two young sons.

Private Jack Lee Chadwick

Jack was born on 15 September 1911, son of Ernest and Sarah Ellen Chadwick (nee Lee) who in 1911 lived at 26 Brown Lodge Street. Jack married Doris E Rigg in Littleborough on 27 March 1937 and two years later the 1939 register had them living at 4 Hurstead Green, Wardle. Jack was a plumber and Doris was a cotton operator, raiser, flannelette. Prior to enlisting the couple lived on Mary Street, Hurstead with Jack being a member of the Wardle Home Guard as well as singing in St Andrews Church Choir. 31-year-old Private Chadwick 14351078, died on 30 June 1943 and was buried with military honours in Dearnley (St. Andrew) Churchyard Sec. C. Grave 6. Jack is remembered on St Andrew's War Memorial.

• Milnrow

Corporal Sam Walton

Sam was born on 5 October 1917, the son of James and Mary Ann (nee Whitehead) who were married in St Ann's Belfield. Sam married Ada Florence Clarke at St Cuthberts in Thetford on 19 August 1941 whilst he was in the services. Less than two years later Corporal Walton 1882281, 587 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers was killed on 18 May 1943 aged 25. Sam was buried in Medjez El Bab War Cemetery, Grave No 3 H 7 and is remembered on St Ann's War Memorial.

Sergeant 2nd Pilot Basil Meadowcroft

Basil Meadowcroft was the son of John Arthur and Annie Meadowcroft, of 22 Princess Road, Firgrove, Rochdale. Prior to joining the RAF he was employed by the Firgrove Co-operative society and was associated with the Moorhouse Methodist Church, a leader in the Sunday School and a past pupil of Moorhouse School. Basil joined the RAF in 1940 and went to America for his training and received his wings in December. 22-year-old Sergeant 2nd Pilot Meadowcroft 1380040, No 2 F I S (Flying Instructor School), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was killed on 4 June 1943 when his Miles Master DL347 hit a tree near Cartochy Castle, Angus. Pilot Robert Ambler RAAF was also killed. Basil was buried with full military honours in Newhey (St. Thomas) Churchyard, Grave No SW 013 and is remembered on Milnrow and St James War Memorials.

Flight Officer Navigator Harry Forshaw

Harry was born in Rochdale on 24 October 1913, son of George and Annie Forshaw. Harry married Emily Barton of Firgrove in St Chad's Church on 17 July 1937. In 1939 Emily was a cinema attendant living at 14 Milkstone Place. Prior to joining the RAF, Harry was a joiner and was also involved in local politics. 29-year-old Flight Officer Navigator Forshaw 127976, 619 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 15 June 1943 when his Lancaster III ED980 was shot down on an operation to Oberhausen by night fighter Pilot Hans-Dieter Frank of I/NJG. Flight Officer Forshaw is buried in Eindhoven (Woensel) General Cemetery, Plot Jjb 86 and remembered at the “International Bomber C Centre”.

Sergeant Flight Engineer Eric Bradshaw

Eric was born in Rochdale on 10 July 1921, the son of Edgar and Emily Bradshaw and husband of Ida Wild (8 Rothesey Terrace). They married at St Mary's Balderstone on 3 January 1942. Prior to joining the RAF, Eric was an accountant and a former student at Rochdale High School. Eric won the school’s swimming championship and was a member of the Castleton Swimming Club. 22-year-old Sergeant Flight Engineer Bradshaw 1083274 90 Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. was killed on 22 June 1943 when his Stirling III EE-887 WP- T on Operation Krefeld was shot down by a night fighter. All seven crew members were killed. Eric was buried in Bergen General Cemetery, Grave No 2 D 20 and is remembered on St Ann's War Memorial.

Sergeant Durston Mann

Durston was born in Rochdale on 1 October 1921, the son of Harris and Edith Minnie Mann (nee Raine) of Newhey. He had a sister, Gwendoline and was living on Sunny Bank Shaw Road when his father died on 6 July 1938. Durston was an apprentice employed James Mann (Newhey) Ltd, building contractors. 21-year-old Sergeant Mann 1437312, 427 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed in action on 23 June 1943 when four aircraft were lost on a raid on Mulheim. Sergeant Mann was flying Mk V Halifax DK191, which crashed at Wichmond, Netherlands and is buried in Warnsveld (Wichmond) General Cemetery, Plot E. Collective Grave No 14-17. Durston is remembered on the Milnrow War Memorial.