Casualties of the Second World War – May

In May we remember the casualties of the Second World War who were residents of the Pennine Townships who died 75 or 80 years ago this month.

Littleborough: Aircraftman John Irvine

John was born in 1925 in Rochdale, son of Alfred Irvine, and of Sarah Grace Irvine (nee Collins or Collinge), of Littleborough.

Before enlisting in the RAF late in 1943, John worked at Clegg’s Mill, Shore.

18-year-old Aircraftman 2nd Class, John Irvine 2225523. 5003 Airfield Construction Squadron was killed when a 1,000 HE bomb fell on his camp at RAF Ashford 22 May 1944 killing him and approximately 14 of his mates.

John was buried on 28 May 1944 with full military honours in St. Barnabas, Churchyard, Shore, Row 6, Grave 4.

John is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph, Clegg’s Mill and Littleborough Central School War Memorial (now in the History Centre).

The Rochdale Observer of 29 May and 3 June 1944 carried details of his funeral and attendees etc. At the time of his death, his mother Sarah lived at 61 Calderbrook Road, Laneside, Littleborough.

Milnrow and Newhey: Sapper Arthur Clayton Oakes

Arthur was born in Bury on 21 November 1906, the son of Arthur and Mary Ann (nee Feetham).

Arthur married Mary Brierley at St Peters, Newbold on 17 December 1932 and they had a son Brian born in early 1933.

By 1939 they were living at 58 Mentmore Road, Rochdale with Arthur employed as a Cotton Waste Warehouseman.

Arthur joined the Royal Engineers, but 37-year-old Sapper Oakes, 3461197, became ill and later died in Rochdale Infirmary on 4 May 1944.

He was buried in Rochdale Cemetery, Square Z 3, C of E, Grave 37503 on 9 May, as noted in the report of the Rochdale Observer of 6 May 1944.

The previous day’s edition carried sentiments from his wife and son together with mother-in-law and friends and family.