Soldiers who died 80 years ago during World War Two

To remember the fallen, 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 article details local soldiers, particularly sailors, who died in November and December 1941.

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• Littleborough

Lance Corporal Howard Holroyde

Howard was born in Old Sowerby Bridge in early 1906, the son of Howard and Isobella Holroyde. In 1911, the family of nine children, including Howard (scholar), lived at 6 Carlton Street, Sowerby Bridge. Howard’s father was employed as a coachman in a livery stable.

Howard married Lily Uttley of 11 Filey Street, Smallbridge in the late spring of 1935 and prior to enlisting, he worked for R Sharples in Belfield.

36-year-old Lance Corporal Holroyde 4742461, York and Lancaster Regiment, was in the Middle East (probably North Africa) for some 18 months before being injured whilst probably garrisoned in the isolated but fortified Coastal town of Tobruk in Libya. Howard died on 26 November 1941 and is buried in Tobruk War Cemetery, Grave 8 F 13.

The Rochdale Observer of 13 November 1941 carried detail about Howard and family messages were also recorded in that issue, as well as in the following week and in the edition the following year of 28 November 1942.

Trooper Jack Crossley

Jack was born on 9 July 1910 in Littleborough, the son of Frank (a labourer in a cotton mill) and Mary Crossley. In 1911, the family lived at 3 Fielden Street, Summit with Jack being the youngest of six children – including three brothers Sam, Willie and James Thomas and sisters Florrie and Ethel May.

Jack married Annie Foxwell in Rochdale on 15 April 1933, and they then lived in Malmsbury, Wiltshire.

31-year-old Trooper Crossley 7934592, 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars, Royal Armoured Corps was killed in action on 1 December 1941 ‘during Operation Crusader fought between November and December 1941 to relieve Tobruk’. Jack is buried in Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma. Libya, Grave No 10 G 25 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

• Milnrow

Leading Stoker Wilfred Holroyd

Wilfred was born in Oldham on 30 November 1903, the son of Lucy Holroyd, and in 1911 they lived at 407 Buckstones Road, Shaw together with his grandfather, a retired farmer. At that date, his 29-year-old mother worked as cardroom cotton frame tenter.

Wilfred married Lily Schofield at St Mary’s in Balderstone on 24 December 1924 and in 1939, Lily was living at 29 Major Street, Milnrow with Royston (then in his 12th year). According to the Rochdale Observer dated 12 April 1942, Wilfred and Lily had two sons and a daughter. Prior to joining the Navy, he was employed by Thomas Robinson and Sons, Engineers.

Wilfred served in the Navy for 12 years and, being a reservist, was called up on the outbreak of war.

38-year-old Leading Stoker Holroyd C/K 64818 H.M. Submarine H.3, Royal Navy was presumed killed on 24 December 1941 when his boat went missing. Wilfred is remembered on Milnrow and St James War Memorials.

 

 

• Local men who lost their lives on HMS Galatea:

Leading Seaman John Hurst

John was born in Gourock on 27 April 1919, the son of Ann Alice Hurst of Littleborough who in 1939 lived alone at 76 Featherstall Road.

Prior to being in the merchant marine for eight months, John worked for Breda Visada in Littleborough (manufacturers of man-made fibres) and had previously been a member of the Parish Church Scout Group. He joined the navy in 1937 and had spent 2 years on the China Station.

22-year-old Leading Seaman Hurst D/SSX 21388, HMS Galatea, Royal Navy was killed in action on 15 December 1941 when his ship, HMS Galatea was sunk by the German Submarine, U-557, 35 miles west of Alexandria, North Africa. There were 144 survivors and 470 killed.

John is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 46, Column 1 as well as on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Holy Trinity War Memorial.

Able Seaman Wilfred Playford

Prior to joining the Navy, Wilfred lived at 125 Calderbrook Road with his wife, Edith, and worked at Paragon Chemical Works in Smithy Bridge.

Wilfred was well known in dancing schools - being one of the youngest dance promoters in Northern England.

21-year-old Able Seaman Playford D/JX 189835, HMS Galatea, Royal Navy was killed in action on 15 December 1941 when his ship HMS Galatea was sunk by the German Submarine, U-557, 35 miles west of Alexandria, North Africa. There were 144 survivors and 470 killed.

Wilfred is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 48, Column 1 as well as on Littleborough Cenotaph and the Central School War Memorial. His parents and friends remembered Wilfred with annual sympathy messages in the Rochdale Observer between 1942 and 1945 (last edition studied).

 

 

• Local men who lost their lives on HMS Neptune:

Able Seaman Thomas Carter

Thomas lived at 17 Turf Terrace and had joined the Navy in 1937 and was last at home 18 months ago. His brother was training in the RAF when Able Seaman Carter D/SSX 21201, HMS Neptune, Royal Navy was killed in action on 19 December 1941 ‘when his ship HMS Neptune was lost with all hands bar one survivor when HMS Neptune hit a mine in the Med [Mediterranean Sea] then hit a further three mines trying to get out of trouble’. Almost 800 lost their lives.

Thomas is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 46. Column 2, as well as on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Stoker 2nd Class Joe Hickson

Joe was born in Tynemouth on 26 November 1913, the son of John and Annie Hickson who in 1939 lived at 50 Little Clegg Road, Smithy Bridge with six of their children. However, Joe was not recorded, presumably being in the Navy at that time. Of his siblings, three were recorded as “blind”.

38-year-old Stoker 2nd Class Hickson D/KX 120750, HMS Neptune Royal Navy was killed in action on 19 December 1941 when his ship HMS Neptune was lost with all hands bar one survivor when HMS Neptune hit a mine in the Med then hit a further three mines trying to get out of trouble, almost 800 lost their lives. Joe is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial Panel 54, Column 1 as well as on Littleborough Cenotaph.