Soldiers who died 75 or 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 75 or 80 years anniversary occurs in January 2020.

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Sergeant Jack Robertson

Jack was born on 11 July 1924, the son of Maurice (John) Robertson and Florence Maud Smart Millward. At the time of the 1939 register, the family were living at 42 Little Clegg Road, Smithy Bridge, with his father being a widower.

Besides the father, there were four children living in the house - Jack (cotton doffer) and Violet (cotton gaiter) who has their mothers’ maiden name Horsefield (family name of Partridge), as well as Eric and Karl at school. Daughter Lilian, who would have been 10, was not recorded. Also living at the same address was Lavina Horsefield, shown as married.

Jack attended Smithy Bridge Council Primary School and prior to joining the RAF in 1941 worked at The Globe Leather works of Messrs J Ormerod of Castleton. He also lived with his sister Mrs N Taylor at 31 Firgrove Gardens.

21-year-old Sergeant Robertson, 1450835, 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 14 January 1945 when Lancaster III LM714 PH-L (which took off from a station [airfield] in or near Wickenby) was shot down by a German Fighter near Steindorf during a raid on the synthetic oil plant at Leuna.

Jack was buried in Hanover War Cemetery, Coll. grave 1 F 13-16 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Private Leonard Brennan

Leonard was born on 22 November 1914, the son of James and Lucy M Brennan and elder brother to Cyril. In 1939, the family lived at 9 Stopford Avenue, Littleborough with Leonard being a goods motor driver, his father was a cotton over-looker and Cyril was involved in the distribution of bread.

Prior to enlisting Leonard was employed by J P & W H Fletcher, Haulage Contractors.

30-year-old Private Brennan 14662750, 2nd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment was killed on 15 January 1945 at Myothit, Burma. Leonard was buried in Maynamati War Cemetery, Bangladesh, grave 4 A 1 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

The Rochdale Observer of 3 February included sentiments from his parents in Littleborough and his brother Cyril who was serving with the RAF in England, as well as from his auntie Mary and family.

Private Wilfred Mullender

Wilfred was born on 6 January 1910 in Toxteth Park, the son of Charles Mullender, and of Mary A. Mullender who in 1911 lived at 8 Bowood Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. Also living there were Wilfred’s elder siblings Elizabeth (14), Edith (13) and Stanley (5). His father was a marine engineer.

At the time of the 1939 Census, Wilfred was a hide grader living at 12 Huntley Street, Littleborough, with his widowed mother and Ethel Butterworth (Mullender).

Prior to joining the army, Wilfred was associated with the Congregational Church in Victoria Street, Littleborough, was a Sunday School teacher and a member of Rochdale Festival Choir. In 1940, the Rochdale Observer reported him being the soloist at a successful anniversary service at Zion Methodist Chapel in Calderbrook.

He worked for the Lancashire Tanning Co in Littleborough. This was set up by a German company, Adler and Oppeneiner, who had been looking to establish a British subsidiary. It is reported that this was to provide safe haven for around 25 Jewish families. The boss of the company lived at Stubley Old Hall which was included in the purchase of the disused Atlas Mill. 

33-year-old Private Mullender 3783246, 7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, was killed on 22 January 1945 near the village of Waldenrath, Netherlands and is buried in Brunssum War Cemetery, Netherlands, grave VI 295. He is also remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Victoria Street Congregational Church War Memorial.

There is further information about the Lancashire Tanning Co (The Tannery) on the Littleborough Historial and Archaeological Society's website:

• www.littleboroughshistory.org/industry.html#Tannery_1