Soldiers who died 80 years ago during World War Two

Littleborough Cenotaph

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 August 2023.

• Littleborough

Flight Sergeant Frank Dawson

Frank Dawson was born in Oldham early in 1922 to Squire and Amy Dawson. In 1924 his brother Tom was born and Tom and his widower father lived at 2 Blackstone Edge Road, Gatehouse but Frank was not recorded there. 22-year-old Flight Sergeant Dawson 1077766, 619 Squadron, RAF was killed on 11 August 1943 when his Lancaster III EE112 PG-T was downed during Operation Nürnburg with all seven crew killed. Frank is buried in Grave 6 K 9 at Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany and is remembered on the Cenotaph in Littleborough and the Holy Trinity War memorial. At the time of his death his family lived at 2 Blackstone Edge Road, Gatehouse.

Fusilier William Tharby

William was a native of London but lived with Mr and Mrs Bateman of 20 Henderville Street, Littleborough. He joined up on the outbreak of war. When around 24 years old, Fusilier Tharby 3457439, 11th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers died from Septicaemia in a Malta hospital on 11 August 1943. He had been there for 2 years. Fusilier Edward France of Dearnley was in the firing party at his funeral. William is buried in Pembroke Military Cemetery, Coll. grave 1 1 13 and is remembered on the Cenotaph in Littleborough.

Leading Aircraftman Jack Smith

Jack was born on 28 January 1915, the son of Albert and Ada Smith of 74 Church Street, Littleborough. In 1939 Jack was a butchers assistant, as was his brother Albert. His father was the manager. 28-year-old Leading Aircraftman Smith 1010307, RAF, was killed in action on 12 August 1943 Shore (St. Barnabas) Churchyard Row 47, Grave 5 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph, Central School and the Holy Trinity war memorials.

• Milnrow

Lance Corporal Vernon Howarth

Vernon was born in Rochdale on 17 March 1922, the son of James Thomas Howarth and Sarah Alice Howarth, of Rochdale. In 1939 the family lived at 39 Willows Lane, Milnrow with Vernon being recorded as a railway porter. Before joining the Army in April 1942 he worked for the LMS railway company at Rochdale station, was a member of Frank Hardman’s Dance Band and was formally a player in the Milnrow Public Prize Band. His parents worked in the cotton trade. Vernon married Margaret Ethel Harrison at St James' Church, Milnrow on 26 June 1943. Just six weeks later, 21-year-old Lance Corporal Howarth, T/10699995, Royal Army Service Corps, died as a result of an accident on 24 August 1943 and is buried in Milnrow (St. James) Churchyard, Old Portion. Row 8, Grave 11 and is remembered on Milnrow Cenotaph and St James' war memorial.