Belgian man searching for relatives of fallen World War Two Rochdale soldier

Photo: C. Sims' archive

The permanent memorial markers for Harold Hoyle and his fallen comrades as they stand in Waregem today during one of the annual ceremonies

A man from Belgium is searching for the living relatives of a Rochdale soldier killed during World War Two.

Christopher Sims hoping to make contact with any living relatives of Harold and Ellen Hoyle, of Rochdale, whose son, also called Harold, was killed in action 75 years ago.

Trooper Harold Hoyle, 15th (Scottish) Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C., died aged 20 on 6 September 1944 in Belgium. He was killed on the outskirts of the town of Waregem with another British soldier (Leonard Williams, Royal Tank Corps). Close to this spot, four Belgian resistance members and a U.S. airman aiding their operations were executed by the Germans.

Their remains were interred in the Waregem Communal Cemetery and later exhumed and concentrated in the Cement House Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in 1968.

Trooper Hoyle is understood to have had two sisters, Mary and Ann.

This year a special ceremony will be held in Waregam on Sunday 8 September, and an exhibition organised for the 75th anniversary in memory of these victims and other local resistant members who were killed during the liberation (4-7 September 1944).

Mr Sims, a local historical group volunteer helping to prepare the exhibition, said: “Waregem, in connection with the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the town, will be organizing a special ceremony and exhibition in memory of these victims. As such, any information on Hoyle as to possible living descendants and photographs would be greatly appreciated.”

If you have any information that can help Mr Sims, please contact the Newsdesk and we will pass your details on: news@rochdaleonline.co.uk