Soldiers who died 80 years ago during World War Two

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Wardle War Memorial

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 August and September 2022.

• Wardle

Sergeant John Raymond Stott

John Raymond was born on 17 October 1921, the son of Arnold and Seba Ann Stott (nee Fielden) who were married during 1919 in Rochdale. John had been educated at Bury Grammar School. Whilst they had lived in Bamford, in 1939 the family was at The Hollies, East Street, Wardle. John was a shipping clerk. Also present were his mother and father, who was a surgical dressing manufacturer, brother Edward Arnold whowas an apprentice in an Electrical Switchgear Co and Walter and Jessie who were at school.

Prior to enlisting he worked in the export department of Messrs Rylands Ltd, Manchester. 20-year-old Sergeant Stott 1439951 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 21/09/1942 flying Whitley 29472 of 10 OTU during an anti-submarine patrol ran out of fuel, believed due to worsening weather conditions and crashed into the sea. It had been flying out of St Eval, Cornwall. John is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 94 as well as the Wardle War Memorial. The Rochdale Observer of 3 October 1942 reporting his death noted that his father was a Justice of the Peace and that his brother Edward was back in action in the Middle East.

• Milnrow

Leading Seaman Thomas Lowe

Thomas was born in Warrington on 23 February 1897, the son of John and Mary Lowe, brother of Harry Lowe and Chrissie who lived in 9 Heath Street. Prior to the 1939 register being compiled Thomas had married Emily and in 1939 they were living at 79 St Georges Sq, Portsmouth with 6 other men, presumably lodgers. Thomas was by then already serving in the Navy. 45-year-old Leading Seaman Lowe P/J 23400, Royal Navy, was killed in action on 19 August 1942 at Dieppe when his ship HMS Berkeley took two direct hits and broke her back. Thomas is remembered on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 62, column 3 and on St Annes War Memorial. His brother included a message in the Memorial Column of the Rochdale Observer on 28 August 1943.