FALLEN WW2 HEROES NOT ON LITTLEBOROUGH CENOTAPH

A number of men were for some reason omitted from the World War 2 list behind the Cenotaph Itself.  As we celebrate the 80 year Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe, let is remember those whose names are missing.

The list is incomplete at the present but below are the full details currently updated from that published earlier:

Able Seaman William Pickering

William was born in Ashton on 9th February 1918, the son of James and Edith Pickering (nee Taylor, married 1909 in Ashton) who in 1921 were living at  39 Lumb Lane, Little Moss, Ashton-under-Lyme. His father was a Power Loom Overlooker employed by Ashworth & Chadwin Co Ltd, Cloth Manufacturers at Droylsden Mills. By 1939 William was an Iron Moulder living with his mother Edith and younger sister Florence Bell (nee Pickering) at at 9 Furness Avenue, Littleborough. 21 year old Able Seaman Pickering D/JX 142446 was killed in action on 11th September 1939 when his submarine HMS Oxley, originally built for the Australian Navy, was sunk by torpedoes from HM Sub Triton BY MISTAKE  off the coast of Norway. Winston Churchill announced in Parliament it was destroyed by an accidental explosion. William is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 33. Column 3 see here

The photograph opposite is from a number held on that site

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2138329/plymouth-naval-memorial

Private William Naylor

William was born on 26th June 1910, the second son of James and Bertha Naylor of Rochdale and in 1921 the family was living at 55 Regent St in Rochdale and his father was a labourer (Engineers) working for Tomlinsons (Rochdale), Textile Machinery Makers. In 1939 William (A Plant Attendant at an Oil Distillery) lived with his younger brother Robert and mother remained at 55 Regent Street, Rochdale. He married Constance Amy Wood of Littleborough, Lancashire on 27th August 1940 at St James Church Calderbrook. His brother Joseph was best man and Robert acted as Groomsman. Prior to enlisting he worked at Cleggswood Oil Distillery in Littleborough. 35 year old Private Naylor 4133072, 6th Bn Cheshire Regiment died on 18th July 1945 from injuries accidently received whilst serving in the Central Mediterranean region and was buried in Klagenfurt War Cemetery, Austria grave No 3 H 6. His wife, Constance, who was living at 3a Railway Street when she received notification of his death had only recently received information from William that he was coming home on leave.

If you have any additional information on eother of these two men then please let us know through our email address  lborohist2@gmail.com