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Geoffrey Topham GEOFFREY TOPHAM Cpl RAF d.3/12/1941 aged 20 72127 GEOFFREY TOPHAM was the son of Harold Corless Topham and Winifred (née Hyde), of Chorlton- cum-Hardy, Manchester. His birth was registered in Barton district in early 1921. The circumstances of his death are difficult to verify, but it is possible that he may have been flying a Beaufighter I - T4703 - of No.1 OADU (Overseas Aircraft Delivery Unit). This aircraft had been reported as a loss for this day, having collided with Beaufighter T4715 on take-off at RAF Portreath, 27 OTU. However, his death was registered at Newcastle under Lyme and this makes the above scenario unlikely. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Norman George Jenkins NORMAN GEORGE JENKINS Sub-Lt. RNR d.4/12/1939 aged 24 NORMAN JENKINS was a Sub-Lieutenant in the RNR, on the auxiliary patrol yacht, Zaza. He was the son of Arthur Henry and Elizabeth Jenkins of Folkestone. In the burial records, his address was 81 Chart Road, Folkestone. His parents may well have been Arthur Henry Jenkins and Lizzie (née Lane) who were married at St.Dionis, Parsons Green, Fulham, in 1909. His father originated from the Folkestone area and by 1911 his parents were living at 80 Chart Road, Folkestone. Norman was born in early 1915, and his birth was registered in Elham District, Kent. It is not known how Norman Jenkins died or even why he came to be buried at St.Mark's. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Robert Ambler The National Archives files for Robert Ambler can be accessed at this link - National Archives ROBERT AMBLER 2nd Lieutenant King's (Liverpool Regt.) 13th Bn. d. 24 November 1918 aged 34 Baptised at St. Mary, Eccles, on 7 December 1884, he was the eldest child of John and Sarah (née Walters) Ambler. John was a photographer, though at the time of his marriage in January 1884 he was listed as an artist. Robert's address in the parish burial records was 44 Wellington Road, Eccles, the family abode. Certainly he was living there in 1901, aged 16, and he was a bank clerk. Then, in 1911, he was living as a boarder at an address in Clifton, Bristol, now aged 26, and still a bank clerk. It was announced in the newspapers that 'On Wednesday afternoon the interment took place at Worsley Churchyard of Mr. Robert Ambler, of Eccles. He contracted illness whilst on active service as a second lieutenant in the Liverpool Regiment, and died on Sunday last.' The south porch of Eccles Parish Church has become a memorial to all those who died for their country in World War 1. It was rebuilt under a faculty dated 16 December 1920 and the names of those who died were inscribed on tablets. The porch was opened and dedicated as a memorial to those who died during the Great War by the Revd. Canon John C. Hill, Rector of Bury, on Saturday, 1 October 1921. The name of Robert Ambler is amongst them. Researche d and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Benjamin Gratrix BENJAMIN GRATRIX Private The Loyal N. Lancashire Regt. 6th Bn. d. 12 June 1920 aged 38 13775 Benjamin Gratrix was the son of George and Alice Gratrix. In 1891, he was aged 9 and living with his parents at 15 Edge Fold as a scholar. In 1901, he was aged 19 and still living with his parents, now at 10 Edge Fold. His occupation was waggoner in a coal mine. Benjamin was baptised at St. Mark's on 31 August 1882 by William H. Baynes. His parents were married also at St. Mark's on 31 December 1870 by St. Vincent Beechey. In 1911, he was a boarder at the home of Elizabeth Pickup at 74 Harriett Street, Walkden, and was 28 years of age. It is known that Benjamin served in the Balkans and that he was entitled to the 1915 trio of medals, the 1914-15 Star; the British War Medal; the Victory Medal Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

World War Two Graves The below are casualties of World War Two buried at St Mark's. James Eric Allen Albert Edward Frost James Howell John Paul McDougall John Busby Patrick William Gordon Dale Thomas Faulkner Keith Barnet Files Norman Gorick N G Jenkins J W R Griffiths James Kee Leonard Hardman Norman Arthur Lingard John Rowson Kenneth Rushton Hickling Geoffrey Topham Reginald West The McCrea Family (Civilian) Brian Ainsbury (Civilian) Home

James Howell JAMES HOWELL Gunner RA 19 Dec. 1940 d.15/12/1940 aged 30 1465093 ​ JAMES HOWELL was attached to 80 Battery, 21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was the husband of Edna (née Williams) Howell of Worsley. They married in the fourth quarter of 1931 in Barton district. He was the father of Peter (who was aged 1 at his death) and Glenys (aged 5 at his death). At his death, his address was 206 Leigh Road, Boothstown. His parents might have been John and Ellen (née Worthington), who were married on 26 July1909 at St.Paul's, Walkden. In 1911, they were living at 20 Mayfield Avenue, Walkden, and James was 10 months old. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Arthur Ratcliffe 22120 Private Arthur Ratcliffe 2nd and 4th Bn Grenadier Guards, Died 11/04/18 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Arthur Ratcliffe was born on 23 November 1895 and baptised on 26 February 1896 at St. Mark’s Church, Worsley. His mother was Mary Elizabeth (née Williams) and his father Albert Edward, and they lived at 42 Leigh Road, Boothstown. In 1901, Arthur, who was now 5, had a 3 year old sister, Rachel, and the family were still living at 42 Leigh Road. Boothstown. Another brother John had been born in 1900 and baptised on the 20th September 1900 but John sadly died that year (Q3). Their father was a Coal Miner (Hewer) and their mother worked as a Cotton Weaver. Arthur's father died in 1908 and the family went to live with his grandfather William Williams at 52 Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown. Arthur's mother kept house for his grandfather whilst also working as a weaver in a cotton mill. Rachel aged thirteen also worked as a weaver whilst Arthur at the age of fifteen was working as a labourer underground at a colliery. Arthur Ratcliffe enlisted in to the Grenadier Guards on 15 January 1915 at Atherton. His address at the time was 52 Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown, Manchester, his age was given as 19 years and 53 days and his trade was Collier. His next of kin was his mother Elizabeth, and he was 5’ 10 ¾” tall. He joined Caterham Guards Depot on 19th January 1915 and, after training, would have joined the 5th Reserve Battalion at Chelsea Barracks before being posted to the 4th Bn. and deployed to France on 6th November 1915. Over the next couple of years he was often in hospital returning to England for treatment. He suffered from abrasions to the head in February 1916 and was sent back to England to recover. He was issued with a new set of upper dentures at this time. Arthur returned to France in August 1916 before succumbing to trench foot in December 1916 which caused him pain, tenderness, swelling and numbness. He returned to England aboard the hospital ship 'St George' on the 23rd December 1916 and remained in hospital until 10th March 1917. In an undated pencil written letter sent from the front line back to his Mother, it says: ​ "Dear Mother, I am sending the birthday cards back & also a piece of the cake & I wish you to take care of the same till we meet again. The card that Grace sent me, please hand over to her also. It is my wish you should do this, Dear Mother; & then, at the time when we meet again, it will help us all to recall these times. I am very glad to say that the cake kept me a treat & was not broken. We have just finished the cake off & they all wish me to tell you the cake was fine & send their very best respects. I am sorry to say that I was not fortunate enough to get anything out of the cake, for one Sergeant got the baby & is just sending it home; & another Sergeant got the button, & a young chap got the threepenny bit opposite me, & another fellow the ring. I will close now in haste. With best of love. From your loving son Arthur XXXXXXXXXXXX" ​ In June 1917 he was once again returned to the front. On the 9th October 1917 at Langemark he was again wounded, but this time seriously. He was blown up by a shell when advancing with his Battalion. Running after his Battalion to try and catch up, he then suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. He spent four days in the Base hospital, three weeks convalescing at Camp No 5 at Cayeaux, & four weeks in hospital at Le Havre. He then remained on base at Le Havre for a while. During all this time he suffered from breathlessness on exertion and was diagnosed with heart problems caused by being gassed. Deemed physically unfit, Arthur was sent home on the 28th January 1918 to be cared for in a hospital in England. Private Ratcliffe was discharged “no longer physically fit for War Service” on 4 April 1918, he had served 3 years and 80 days. Arthur had seen action at the Battle of the Somme, the 3rd Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele, and the Battle of Cambrai. For his war service, Arthur was awarded the 1914/15 star and the British War & Victory Medal. He was also awarded Silver War Badge number 3451713 having been discharged due to wounds. ​ Arthur Died at home on 11th April 1918. He was buried at St. Mark's Church, Worsley on the 15 April 1918, in grave number W2192 at a cost of £1. 8s and 6d. The payment was received by Frank Derbyshire, the clerk. His documents were marked 'died after discharge' and a war pension was paid to his sister Rachel. The circumstances of his death only a week after being discharged are unclear. His discharge documents from the 5th (Res) Battalion Grenadier Guards dated for the 4 April 1918 in London say that he had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair and that he was a fruiterer. His military character was Very Good and he was described as being “A clean sober and hard-working man”. A newspaper article with a photo of Arthur reads: Boothstown Local Guardsman’s Funeral "The death took place at 52 Vicars Hall Lane yesterday week of Arthur Ratcliffe (22) late of the Grenadier Guards, who was discharged from the Army about a month ago after being gassed. Deceased enlisted in January 1915 and had been to France three times, having during that time been wounded, invalided home with sickness and gassed. The funeral took place at Worsley Parish Church yard on Monday with Military Honours. Among those who followed the remains to the grave being a Sergeant, Firing Party and bugler from Leigh Prisoner of War Camp, Boothstown Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster Barnes and the Sons of the Temperance who were represented by Mr. R. Greenhalgh (Grand Scribe) and other officials. The Rev. Percy Burnett conducted the Funeral Service and at the close the bugler sounde d the “Last Post”. Mr. J. Edge made the arrangements for the Military Funeral. Rest In Peace". ​ By 1921, Arthur's grandfather had passed away. His mother remained living at 52 Vicars Hall Lane along with her son Fred, daughter Rachel and two boarders. Rachel still worked as a cotton weaver whilst Fred worked as a labourer below ground in the colliery. One of the boarders was William Ratcliffe, Arthur's paternal grandfather. Arthur was awarded a Silver war badge, the 1914-15 Star, and the British War and Victory Medal. His medals were auctioned in July 2019 as well as his honourable discharge certificate; a letter written from the front to his mother; and a newspaper cutting regarding his funeral, containing a photograph of Arthur. They were sold for just £130. Details can be found here Link ​ After landscaping work in the graveyard in the mid 1970's, Arthurs resting place became unmarked. On the 26th July 2023 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission installed a new Headstone for Pt Arthur Ratcliffe. With the help of the church graveyard plans, they were able to install it exactly where he was laid to rest. [This biography was submitted to the church by an anonymous donor in recog nition of the bravery and valour of ARTHUR RATCLIFFE, whose body was laid to rest in the church yard ] Back

Kenneth R Hic kling KENNETH RUSHTON HICKLING LAC RAF.VR d. 8 October 1942 aged 22 657400 Baptism: 17 Jul 1915 St Leonard, Padiham, Lancashire, England Sydney Hickling - [Child] of William Towell Hickling & Rose Born: 22 May 1915 Abode: 6 King's Avenue, Haslingden Occupation: Assistant Works Manager Marriage: 28 Jul 1914 St Leonard, Padiham, Lancashire, England William Towell Hickling - 26, Secretary, Bachelor, 2 Park Road, Padiham Rose Rushton - 24, Spinster, 5 Blackburn Road, Padiham Groom's Father: William Henry Hickling, Retired Police Sergeant KENNETH RUSHTON HICKLING joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Cadet Officer. He had lived at Hazelhurst Cottage, 2 Hazelhurst Road, Worsley, and had been a pupil of Eccles Grammar School. He was the son of William Towell Hickling and Rose (née Rushton) Hickling, of Worsley. Kenneth had been born in Blackpool in the first quarter of 1920. His parents were married on 28 July 1914 at St.Leonard's, Padiham. Kenneth had an older brother, Sydney, born the 22 May 1917, also in Padiham. It appears that he played Lacrosse for Worsley. In his will, administered on 20 January 1943, he left his estate to his father, a dyer. His body was interred at St.Mark's on 13 October 1942. LAC Hickling died at RAF Hospital Rauceby, a hospital housing a crash and burns unit, and specialising in reconstructive plastic surgery, under the wing of RAF Cranwell. His death was registered at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. He is buried in the churchyard in a family grave. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Norman Arthur Lingard NORMAN ARTHUR LINGARD Sgt. RAF.VR d. 28 March 1942 aged 27 1059599 NORMAN ARTHUR LINGARD was born in the first quarter of 1915. He was the son of Arthur and Betsy Lingard (née Beckett), of Worsley, who married in the middle of 1912. A memorial in the United Reformed Church on Worsley Road bears his name, together with five others who died in World War II. He was buried at St.Mark's on 1 April 1942. Norman Arthur Lingard was flying a Lancaster (serial number R5501, coded EM-G) when it collided with a Miles Master (DK973) during a daylight cross-country exercise. Both aircraft crashed at 1320 hrs on Canwick Hill, just to the east of Bracebridge Heath, 2 miles South of Lincoln. The crew of four, all members of 207 Squadron, were all killed: Sgt. N. A. Lingard; Sgt. D. A. Wood; Sgt. R. W. Cox; and Sgt. T. C. Massey. The pilot of the Miles Master, Lt. J. D. Linaker was also killed. The following account of the incident is recorded in chapter 5 of the book On the Wings of the Morning by Vincent Holyoak. This is a copy of the relevant chapter. For six weeks that it was stood down, 207 was busily engaged in converting on to the Lancaster. By the end of April, it could boast sixteen of the new type on strength with as many trained crews. In the meantime, the seemingly interminable circuits, night landings and cross-countries were not without their drama, with two aircraft being destroyed. The first and most tragic loss was that of 27-year-old Mancunian Sergeant Norman Lingard and his crew in Lancaster R5501 EM-G. Just after lunch on March 28, they were engaged in a daylight cross-country exercise south of Lincoln when Cranwell based Miles Master DK793 flown by a pupil pilot, Lieutenant Linaker, began to carry out a series of unauthorized feint attacks. Unauthorized aerobatics of any kind were expressly forbidden. Many a trainee had been killed showing off, and on one pass witnesses on the ground saw the Master slice into R5501’s tail section, both aircraft spinning out of control to crash on the Bracebridge Road. Lingard and fellow Sergeants Wood, Cox and Massey, along with the Master pilot were all killed instantly. Norman Lingard had already survived many operations as a second pilot and to die in such a way was particularly sad. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

John Rowson JOHN ROWSON Pte. RAOC d.3/6/1941 aged 20 925722 JOHN ROWSON was a member of the 4th Div Workshops, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was the son of Peter and Margaret (née Knight) Rowson of Walkden. They had married at St.Mark's on 21 April 1919. The Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was a corps of the British Army. It dealt only with the supply and maintenance of weaponry, munitions and other military equipment. ​ Baptism: 22 Dec 1920 St Mark, Worsley, Lancs. John Rowson - [Child] of Peter Rowson & Margaret Born: 5 Nov 1920 Abode: 244 Lumber Lane Worsley Occupation: Colliery Worker Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

WILLIAM GORDON DALE WILLIAM GORDON DALE Sgt. RAF.VR d. 15 October 1942 aged 20 1124729 WILLIAM GORDON DALE was the only son of Charles Richard Dale (33), an Accounts Clerk, who married Lucy Sykes (28) at St.Paul's, Walkden, on 15 November 1919. William Gordon was born on 4 June 1922 and was baptised at the same church on 9 July 1922. The family was living at that time at 41 Memorial Road, Walkden. William Gordon Dale was the Wireless Operator/Air Gunner on an Avro Anson Mk 1 (serial number L7968) which was returning to Cranage, mistaking a navigation beacon. Instead of flying towards the airfield, the aircraft flew away from it towards high ground around Buxton. Before they were able to correct this error, the aircraft struck the hillside and crashed at Moss House Farm, Moss Ridge, Long Hill, NW of Buxton, Derbyshire. Sadly, if the aircraft had been a little higher it would have cleared the hill. The aircraft was officially written off as damaged beyond repair. There was a crew of four on board. They were: Pilot: Sgt 1312846 Paul Joseph Woodcock, 20 Pilot-UT: Sgt R/121913 James Munro Matheson, 22 RCAF Pilot-UT: Sgt R/113428 Richard James Reay 20, RCAF WOp/AG: Sgt 1124729 William Gordon Dale, 20 The two Canadians on the aircraft were qualified pilots, but were onboard as navigators under-training. RAF Cranage was situated just to the north of Middlewich, Cheshire, and was opened in August 1939. The first flying unit was No. 2 School of Air Navigation RAF , which was formed on 21 October 1940. It operated the Avro Anson for training navigators. The aim of the navigation school (renamed the Central Navigation School in 1942) was to raise the standard of practical air navigation and to train navigation specialists. By the end of the war, accuracy had improved five-fold. The airfield remained operational only for the duration of the war. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back