Littleborough from Cleggswood Hill
"We will Remember them"
"2 Soldiers who worked in Littleborough
whose 100 year Anniversary was mises"
Between 1914 and 1919 all 400+ soldiers who had links with Littleborough, born in the town, moved to the town or worked or worshipped in Littleborough were honoured by their stories appearing in the now closed website - Rochdale-Online or whose details were displayed in the Bay Window of the History Centre on Platform 2 of Littleborough Station.
The 2 soldiers detailed below were missed by Peter Cryer (deceased), myself and possibly other researchers. To properly remember them I have listed their details below. I wish to thank the members of the Great War Forum for their assistance.
If you have further information on either man then please let me know
Private James Edward Tetlow (Service No 21101)
James was born around 1882 in Heywood and later joined the army serving in the Boar War. James married Alice May late spring in 1907 and they had 2 daughters Mary and Mellie with the family living at 12 Temple Street, Rochdale in 1901 when James E being a Piecer in the Cotton Trade.
Prior to being recalled during 1914, James E was employed by the Littleborough Dyeing Co in Stansfield, Calderbrook, Littleborough (a good tram ride from home and attended St John’s Catholic Church in Rochdale.
In December 1914, Pte Tetlow was injured in the leg and was treated in a hospital near Liverpool. He returned to the front line when unfortunately Private James Edward Tetlow, 21101, 2n Battalion East Lancs Regiment, was killed on 4th August 1916 “whist on sentry duty in the trenches when he was hit by a sniper” per letter from Lt Smith. He added “he died instantaneously”.
Pte Tetlow was buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension grave P2A. Rochdale did not officially list its war dead but local WW1 researchers have listed those who died in the conflict. James’ brother Private Arthur Tetlow also died during the war.
Private John Robert Ingham (Service No 106807)
James was born in 1899 in Burnley to parents Thomas and Betsy Ingham. John R had three elder sisters and in 1901 the census recorded the family living at 2 Wilkinson Street, Burnley with Thomas, his father being a Cotton weaver with eldest sister, Mary E being a Half-time cotton Weaver aged 12. By 1911 the family had moved to 6 Gardenia Street, Walsden with Thomas being a Team Tackler, Cotton. His sisters Sarah and Lenova also worked in the Cotton Mills whilst John R was still at School.
Prior to enlisting in Halifax on 11th June 1918 John worked as a Labourer at the Stansfield works of the Littleborough Dyeing Co Ltd. Unfortunately, less than 12t months later, Private John Robert Ingham, service No 106807 Sherwood Forrester’s (Notts and Derby) Regiment died of wounds on 1st May 1918 being buried in Grave No PXI.M.72A in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
Pte John Robert Ingham is remembered on the relevant panel of the Todmorden War Memorial.
Later, by the time of the 1921 Census his father was a widower with a housekeep and sharing his house, No 8 Claremont Cottages , Warland, in Walsden, with 4 boarders. At the time. he was an unemployed Chemical Labourer 'employed' by Crabtree & Cryer at the nearby Longlees Chemical works. By 1922 Thomas was still signing for his son’s property.
Pictured left is the Stansfield works of the Littleborough Dyeing Co Ltd Behind the right hand chimney is the valley which leads down to Todmorden Road where the Trams from Rochdale to Summit had a stop. These soldiers could have used the trams.
The valley contained the various settling tanks which ought to have ensured that only clean water entered the River Roch
In the background, to the right, was Grove Works where the Dye for Khaki cloth was developed promoted by Gordon Harvey.
Across the background are the Works of Fothergill nd Harvey who had the sole rights for producing Khaki cloth albeit other companies were licenced to produce the cloth