Honouring Our War Dead - Updated

80th Anniversary of D-Day at Croft Memorial Hall

Remembering World War II

After June’s D-Day anniversary, it came to light that there are no WWII deaths remembered on Croft Village Memorial Hall. I spent some time looking up the details of those fallen in the second world war, who had lived locally.

I found the information for three of them, which I think should be added to the memorial.
The missing WWII dead are:
 
Driver James Swindell
Of Lymm View, Risley (Formerly Risley Primitive Methodist Chapel)
Died of wounds Italy 23/10/1944 Aged 21
 
Lieutenant Richard Moores
Of 3 Lords Lane, Risley
Died Italy 31/10/1943 Aged 29
 
Lance Bombardier James (Jim) Wood
Of Lord Street, Croft
Worked at Oak Tree Farm for Lewis Birchall
Died Algeria 05/12/1942 Aged 35

Feedback has suggested that a handful of people think that the Memorial Hall was built originally as a WWI memorial and it should stay that way. However, the majority feel the names should be added.

If it is decided that the Memorial Hall should stay as a WWI memorial, then we really shouldn’t be holding WWII services there and could perhaps consider Christ Church in future.

Remembering World War I

After looking much more deeply into the names of the fallen, there are some local names missing from the WWI list.
The memorial hall plaque, which was unveiled in 2014, has the same 20 men as are listed on the Christ Church memorial. 

The 2014 Memorial Hall Plaque

Christ Church on Lady Lane has two official
Commonwealth War Graves Commission graves from WWI.
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Both soldiers are buried in the churchyard.
Both died from wounds obtained in WWI.
Both died after the war had ended.

Only one of them is on the memorial list.

Gunner Samuel Yates is not included on the memorial.
​
(The plaque in the church was unveiled whilst he was still alive, so it’s clear why he was missed off at first. I can only assume that by the time the plaque was next updated in 1945, a whole different generation was in charge, and he was sadly forgotten.)

Both of the official CWGC graves at Christ Church

There are three WWI gravestones at Croft Unitarian Chapel, one being an official Commonwealth War Graves Commission grave (Harold Houghton).
Harold Houghton is rightly named on the Christ Church and Memorial Hall plaques.
The other two are Lance Corporal William Whittle and Private George Daintith.
 
George Daintith’s stone was originally in the grave space of Harold Houghton’s grave and reads

IN MEMORY OF HAROLD’S COMRADE
PRIVATE GEORGE DAINTITH
LIVERPOOL REGIMENT
KILLED IN FRANCE
JUNE 25TH 1916
​
I can’t imagine how Harold would feel knowing that he was named on the village memorial whilst George wasn’t.
William Whittle is named on his parent’s grave, with the quote
​‘DUTY NOBLY DONE’.

The three war graves at Croft Unitarian Chapel

The Risley War Memorial

This memorial was re-erected after the demolition of Risley Presbyterian Church in 1971. The triangular stone had previously topped the clock of Risley Presbyterian School (Closed as a school in 1932)
John Winterburn writes:
‘…the school was closed and became merely a polling station. Now (1974) there is nothing but the site, and a wooden hut on it at election times. Two relics only remain. Croft Parish Council have kept the War Memorial Tablet and old clock which were part of the school fabric. Someday, they hope to erect them again in another place.’
Taken from A History of Education in Culcheth.

Named on the memorial from WWI are:
Harold Houghton
George Daintith
William Whittle
Norman Gibbins

Again, only one of these names is on the Plaque at the Village Hall and in Christ Church.

So altogether, there are four names missing from the Memorial Hall Plaque which I believe should be on there.
 
Gunner Samuel Yates
Private George Daintith
Lance Corporal William Whittle
Gunner Norman Gibbins
 
The Church may have had (and may still have) other reasons for not including these names, but as the Memorial Hall is for the use of all residents and is in the centre of the village, I think the Croft community should add the missing names from WWI to the Village Hall memorial.

Alan Sharpe’s book states that the names on the church plaque were taken from the Croft 1901 census. This can’t be true for several reasons:

- The records were sealed until 2001
- If they had special access to a census, the 1911 census would be much more accurate than 1901
- Harold Houghton lives in Leigh, not Croft on the 1901 census, yet still made it onto the list
- Even on the 1911 census, both Harold Houghton and George Daintith lived at the Old Noggin Inn in Risley, yet Harold was on the list of Croft war dead, without George. 
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Why Should We Add Missing Names?

Adding missing names ensures that the memorial accurately reflects all those who sacrificed their lives. It honours every individual's contribution and maintains the integrity of the historical record.

Every person who served and died deserves recognition. Updating memorials to include missing names shows respect for those individuals and acknowledges their sacrifice.

For the families and communities of those whose names were initially omitted, adding their loved ones' names can provide a sense of closure and recognition. It validates their loss and ensures their relatives are remembered alongside their peers.

A complete memorial serves as a more comprehensive educational tool, providing a fuller picture of the war's impact on the community. It helps future generations understand the breadth of sacrifice made during the wars.

Omissions may have occurred due to oversight, lack of records, or other reasons. Correcting these omissions is a matter of historical justice, ensuring that every individual's contribution is duly noted and remembered.

Updating memorials to reflect all who served and died maintains the memorial’s role as a true representation of the community's history and collective memory. It reinforces the values of inclusivity and thoroughness.


​I will be approaching the committee for the Memorial Hall with this information and would also welcome any feedback from residents.

Update 07/11/24
​Decisions have now been made. Read the details here.

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