OUR FALLEN HERO OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Their 80 year Anniversary in September 2023

Littleborough

Private Bernard Uttley

Bernard born in early 1922, the son of William and Mary Josephine Uttley, of Summit, Littleborough. In 1939 his parents (father retired) lived at 1 Smithy Nook with his brother Francis (15) and sister Veronica (13). Prior to joining up early in 1941, Bernard was employed Frank Dearden Builders Contractors, Littleborough. 21 year old Private Uttley 5630834 1/4th Bn Hampshire Regiment died of wounds on 9th September 1943 Salerno War Cemetery, Grave No IV C 48 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Lieutenant John Stuart Hawkard

John Stuart was born late spring 1923, the son of Herbert (born Rochdale 1895) and Florence Hawkard of Fairhaven, Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire but by 1939 they had moved to “Dorincourt,” Manchester Road, Heywood. They had also previously lived at Kershaw Heys, Littleborough before residing at Lytham at the time of his death. John  was schooled at Rishworth Grammar School (head boy for 4 years) before going to Cambridge where he studied for Holy Orders. He was a keen Rugby player and played for Fylde Rugby Union club. His father was a director of I & E Hartley Ltd, Whitelees Mill and was also a member of Littleborough Council. Lieutenant Hawkard PO/X 111009 had been a Commando for 18 months but when only 20 and serving with  No. 41 R.M. Commando. Royal Marines he was killed in action on 10th September 1943 during Operation Avalanche, allied landings near the port of Salerno, Sicily. Lt Hawkard is buried in Salerno War Cemetery, Grave No V A 45 and is remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph

Ordinary Seaman James Patrick Emerson

James was born on 14th January 1923, the son of Patrick J. and Margaret M. Emerson, of 4 Hare Hill Rd, Littleborough, Lancashire. In 1939 James’s parents lived at 21 Calf Hey, Littleborough together with his 19 year-old brother. {Prior to enlisting, James worked at Littleborough Tannery and was also a member of the Trades Hall Club and Featherstall Pryde Lodge (RAOB). 20 year old Ordinary Seaman Emerson D/SSX 20155 H.M.S. Escapade  Royal Navy was killed on  20th September 1943 when his ship Sustained major structural damage after premature explosion of a mortar bomb during attacks in defence of merged convoy.  Casualties included 16 dead and nine injured. James is remembered on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 80, Column 2 and on Littleborough Cenotaph.

LITTLEBOROUGH & MILNROW

Private Kenneth Dawson

Kenneth was born on 6th February 1919, the son of late John Speak Dawson (born Qtr 3 1873 RCD) and  Amelia Dawson (nee Fearnley) who were married in 1905). Both were from Milnrow. In 1939 his widowed mother was living at 39 Timbercliffe with 19 year old Edna Dawson (Killin) and Charles Howarth, a retired bus driver. .Prior to joining up on the outbreak of war Kenneth was employed Breda Visada Mill Littleborough. 24 year old Private Dawson 3451694 6th (10th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers) Bn, .The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. was killed on 10th September 1943. Kenneth is remembered on Cassino Memorial. Panel 12, Breda Visada, St James and Milnrow War Cemetery.

OUR FALLEN HERO OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Their 80 year Anniversary in September 2023

Milnrow

Sergeant William Kershaw

William was born in Rochdale on 29th June 1912, the son of James Edmund. Kershaw and Catherine Mary Kershaw, of Rochdale, Lancashire. He married  Doreen Booth of Firgrove, Rochdale at St James Milnrow on 4th  June 1938. In 1939 the couple lived at William’s mother in law’s house at 147 Dale St, Milnrow with James being a Woollen Twister. Prior to joining the RAF in August 1940 William had undertaken many sorties from being an Air Gunner. Prior to military service he had worked at Schofield’s Buckley Mills. 31 year old Sergeant Kershaw 1359595,  619 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed on 6th September 1943 when his Lancaster III JB 133 burst into flames and disintegrated (presumably hit by an enemy shell) and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery, Coll. grave 19. A. 6-10 and is remembered on Milnrow and St James War Memorials..

Able Seaman Albert Maurice Bedford

Albert was born in Huntingdon on 12th April 1917, the son of Arthur and Gladys Bedford  In 1939 he lived with his parents at 28 Margaret Avenue, Rochdale and was employed as a Decorative Printer. Prior to joining up in 1940 he had served his apprenticeship with George Berry, Painters and Decorators of Dale street, Milnrow, had been a member of St Stephens Sunday School in Milnrow and was also a keen cyclist being a member of Rochdale Cycling Club. 25 year old Able Seaman Bedford D/MX 237895, HMS Itchen,  Royal Navy was killed on 23rd September 1943 when his ship was sunk by U – 666 with 51 Casualties. U - 666 was lost when depth charged by aircraft from HMS Ffeneer.  Albert is remembered Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 78 Column 3 and St James War Memorial. Milnrow.

LITTLEBOROUGH & MILNROW

Private Kenneth Dawson

Kenneth was born on 6th February 1919, the son of late John Speak Dawson (born Qtr 3 1873 RCD) and  Amelia Dawson (nee Fearnley) who were married in 1905). Both were from Milnrow. In 1939 his widowed mother was living at 39 Timbercliffe with 19 year old Edna Dawson (Killin) and Charles Howarth, a retired bus driver. .Prior to joining up on the outbreak of war Kenneth was employed Breda Visada Mill Littleborough. 24 year old Private Dawson 3451694 6th (10th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers) Bn, .The Parachute Regiment, A.A.C. was killed on 10th September 1943. Kenneth is remembered on Cassino Memorial. Panel 12, Breda Visada, St James and Milnrow War Cemetery.