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 2023.

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• Littleborough

Private Bernard Uttley

Born in early 1922, Bernard was the son of William and Mary Josephine Uttley, of Summit, Littleborough. In 1939 his parents (father retired) lived at 1 Smithy Nook with his brother Francis (15) and sister Veronica (13). Prior to joining up early in 1941, Bernard was employed Frank Dearden Builders Contractors, Littleborough. 21-year-old Private Uttley 5630834 1/4th Bn Hampshire Regiment died of wounds on 9th September 1943. He is buried in Salerno War Cemetery in Italy, Grave No IV C 48 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Lieutenant John Stuart Hawkard

John Stuart was born late spring 1923, the son of Herbert (born RCD 1895) and Florence Hawkard of Fairhaven, Lytham St. Annes. By 1939 they had moved to “Dorincourt,” Manchester Road, Heywood. They had also previously lived at Kershaw Heys, Littleborough before residing at Lytham at the time of his death. John was schooled at Rishworth Grammar School (where he was head boy for four years) before going to Cambridge where he studied for Holy Orders. He was a keen rugby player and played for Fylde Rugby Union club. His father was a director of I & E Hartley Ltd, Whitelees Mill and was also a member of Littleborough Council.

Lieutenant Hawkard PO/X 111009 had been a Commando for 18 months but when only 20 and serving with No. 41 R.M. Commando. Royal Marines he was killed in action on 10th September 1943 during Operation Avalanche, allied landings near the port of Salerno, Sicily. Lt Hawkard is buried in Salerno War Cemetery in Italy, Grave No V A 45 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Driver James Ronald Earnshaw

James Ronald was born in Rochdale on 22nd October 1912, the son of John Thomas Earnshaw and stepson of Eleanor Earnshaw, of Darwen, Lancashire. Prior to enlisting he had worked in the fish department of the Littleborough Co-operative Society and lived at No 3 Wardle Road, Smallbridge.

38-year-old Driver Earnshaw T/780327, Royal Army Service Corps, died in the 94th General Hospital in Algeria on 9th September 1943. Driver Earnshaw was re-buried on 8th August 1944 from Y61 Algiers into Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery, Grave No 4 J 7. He is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Holy Trinity War Memorial.

Ordinary Seaman James Patrick Emerson

James was born on 14th January 1923, the son of Patrick J. and Margaret M. Emerson, of 4 Hare Hill Road, Littleborough. In 1939 James’s parents lived at 21 Calf Hey, Littleborough together with his 19-year-old brother. Prior to enlisting, James worked at Littleborough Tannery and was also a member of the Trades Hall Club and Featherstall Pryde Lodge (RAOB). 20-year-old Ordinary Seaman Emerson D/SSX 20155 H.M.S. Escapade Royal Navy was killed on 20th September 1943 when his ship sustained major structural damage after premature explosion of a mortar bomb during attacks in defence of a merged convoy. Casualties included 16 dead and nine injured. James is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 80, Column 2 and on Littleborough Cenotaph.

• Littleborough & Milnrow 

Private Kenneth Dawson

Kenneth was born on 6th February 1919, the son of late John Speak Dawson (born Qtr 3 1873 RCD) and Amelia Dawson (nee Fearnley) who were married in 1905. Both were from Milnrow. In 1939 his widowed mother was living at 39 Timbercliffe with 19 year old Edna Dawson (Killin) and Charles Howarth, a retired bus driver. Prior to joining up on the outbreak of war Kenneth was employed at Breda Visada Mill in Littleborough. 24-year-old Private Dawson 3451694 6th (10th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers) Bn, The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. was killed on 10th September 1943. Kenneth is remembered on Cassino Memorial in Italy, panel 12, Breda Visada, St James and Milnrow War Memorials.

• Milnrow

Sergeant William Kershaw

William was born in Rochdale on 29th June 1912, the son of James Edmund Kershaw and Catherine Mary Kershaw, of Rochdale, Lancashire. He married Doreen Booth of Firgrove, Rochdale at St James Milnrow on 4th June 1938. In 1939 the couple lived at William’s mother in law’s house at 147 Dale St, Milnrow with James being a woollen twister. Prior to joining the RAF in August 1940 William had undertaken many sorties from being an Air Gunner. Prior to military service he had worked at Schofield’s Buckley Mills. 31-year-old Sergeant Kershaw 1359595, 619 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 6th September 1943 when his Lancaster III JB 133 burst into flames and disintegrated (presumably hit by an enemy shell) and he is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery in Germany, Coll. grave 19. A. 6-10 and is remembered on St James and Milnrow War Memorials..

Able Seaman Albert Maurice Bedford

Albert was born in Huntingdon on 12th April 1917, the son of Arthur and Gladys Bedford In 1939 he lived with his parents at 28 Margaret Avenue, Rochdale and was employed as a decorative printer. Prior to joining up in 1940 he had served his apprenticeship with George Berry, Painters and Decorators of Dale Street, Milnrow, had been a member of St Stephen's Sunday School in Milnrow and was also a keen cyclist being a member of Rochdale Cycling Club. 25-year-old Able Seaman Bedford D/MX 237895, HMS Itchen, Royal Navy was killed on 23rd September 1943 when his ship was sunk by U – 666 with 51 Casualties. U - 666 was lost when depth charged by aircraft from HMS Ffeneer. Albert is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 78 Column 3 and St James War Memorial, Milnrow.