Marple Bridge Congregational Church War Memorial and Churchyard

Marple Bridge Congregational Church War Memorial is sited in a small garden in the churchyard, by the Hollins Lane entrance. It is a Celtic style stone cross on a tapered plinth and a base, it has an inscription in the front face of the plinth.


United Reformed Church
Hollins Lane
Marple Bridge
Stockport
Greater Manchester
SK6 5AA

England

The southern face of the plinth is inscribed

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

AND IN LOVING MEMORY

OF THOSE OF THE CHURCH

SUNDAY SCHOOL AND

BROTHERHOOD WHO FELL

IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919.

It lists the names of 13 men who gave their lives during the Great War.

Fred CARTER

Herbert DANCE

William ERNILL

Charles Henry INGHAM

Albert Lloyd KNOWLES

Frank KNOWLES

Joseph POVER

Edward Ferrier SHANKS

Percy Marlow SHAW

Charles Edward SLATER

Frank WATERS

Joseph Henry WILD

Edward YARWOOD

The graveyard has a special memorial to William ERNILL listed above.

Gunner 8558 William ERNILL.

Royal Garrison Artillery No.2 Depot.

Died 22 Oct 1916, Age 24.

Spec. Memorial.

Son of John and Mary Ernill, of Townscliffe Lane, Mellor.

All photographs by Chris Gleave

Stockport James Conway Memorial

A tribute to Royal Marine James Conway on the corner of Wellington Road South and Edward Street.

The plaque reads.

James Conway

Stockport's Cockleshell Hero

23ed August 1922 - 23rd March 1943

Royal Marine James Conway was a milkman

from Edgley in Stockport. He volunteered for

Commando Raid Operation Frankton in December 1942.

James set out with Lt John Macinnon in 'Cockle' canoe

'Cuttlefish' from HM Submarine Tuna with 8 other Royal

Marines to paddle 100 miles to Bordeaux in German occupied

France. Their mission was to place limpet mines on blockade

running cargo ships. Five ships were sunk without loss of

life to French civilians.

The commando raids greatly boosted Allied marale at

a dark and difficult time of the Second World War

These Royal Marines became known as the

Cockleshell Heroes and the raid was described ny

Lord Louis Mountbatten as 'The most courageous

Commando raid of the war'

The Royal Marines were aware that there was little chance of their

safe return. Eight of the ten men died on the mission. Captured,

Interrogated and executed aged just twenty, James remains a

vital part of the legend that became The Cockleshell Heroes.

As wrote in his last letter home James chose to

risk his life in an effort to

'make a decent and better'

James's name in Stockport War Memorial and Art Gallery.

All photographs by Chris Gleave.

Marple Bridge St.Mary R.C. Churchyard

The Graveyard of St.Mary's has two Commonwealth War Graves.

Private 607632 Arthur EAVES.

Labour Corps.

Died 8 Dec 1920, age 48.

Private 24124 Joseph McDERMOTT.

The King's (Liverpool Regiment), 4th Bn.

Died 1 May 1915, age 29.

Son of the late Thomas and Annie McDermott. Born at Marple.

Photographs by Chris Gleave.

Mellor War Memorial

Mellor War Memorial stands in a fenced, triangular garden which stands on the east side of a small memorial park. It is located near the junction of Longhurst Lane and Parkside Lane and lists 31 men from the First World War and 10 from the Second, also included is David Rudge who died during the Korean War.

The granite memorial is raised on a wide, square plinth of four steps. A tall, tapering octagonal shaft stands on a square, panelled base and rises to a decorative, octagonal capital with delicate, stylised relief carving. Set on the capital is a similarly decorated octagonal finial which supports a cross.

The four panels of the square base have inscriptions using applied lead lettering. The front, east panel has the dedication 

1914-1918

THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED

IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY

OF THE MEN OF MELLOR

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES / FOR FREEDOM

THEIR NAME LIVETH FOR EVERMORE

The north and south side panels have the names of the men who died fighting in the First World War.

Cyril ATKINSON

Paul BRACHI

Albert BRADLEY

Ernest Potts BROUGH

Joseph BROUGH

Frank BURDEKIN

Frederick BURDEKIN

Arthur BURGESS

Fred CARTER

Charles L DAVIDSON

Samuel DIXON

William ERNILL

David Pringle FITZMAURICE

Evelyn Oswald FURNISS

John William GRIFFITHS

Edward Douglas HELME

William JOHNSON

John LAYCOCK

George W MADDOCK

Charles Frederick MARSLAND

Thomas Hubert MARSLAND

Thomas Edward NAVEN

Robert NEILD

Percy OLDHAM

Charles C SHAW

Joseph James SIDEBOTHAM

Alan SIGLEY

Frederick William SUTCLIFFE

Harry Arnold WAINWRIGHT

Joseph Henry WILD

James Edward WITHERS

The rear, west panel has the names of the men who died in the Second World War.

1939 - 1945

Gilbert Leslie ASTIN

Donald BRADSHAW

Brendan Hugh FORDHAM

Raymond F. JOYCE

Cyril LAYCOCK

Frank O'CONNOR

Bryan REYNOLDS

Evan Murdoch SKELLEY

John Ralph WIGLEY

Lawrence John YEATES

Beneath is the name of the soldier who died in the Korean War.

Korea 1950-1953

George David RUDGE

Photos from 4 Jul 2018.

All photographs by Chris Gleave.

Mellor St.Thomas Churchyard

St.Thomas the parish church of Mellor has two Commonwealth War Graves, and several family memorials. More on the Thelwall brothers can be found here.

Private G/26603 Joseph James SIDEBOTHAM.

The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 7th Bn.

Died 4 Dec 1918, age 28.

Son of John and Elizabeth Sidebotham, of Sun Dial, Mellor.

Corporal 103557 Thomas STANDRING.

Royal Army Medical Corps, 35th Coy.

Died 22 Oct 1918, age 24.

Second Lieutenant 410488 George David RUDGE.

Cheshire Regiment att The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Died 25 Apr 1951, age 20.

Commonwealth Memorial, United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Pusan, South Korea, Plaque 8.

Private 13330 Albert SHAW.

Cheshire Regiment, 10th Bn.

Died 9 Oct 1916, age 23.

Buried Grandcourt Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, France, Plot D. Grave 20.

Son of William and Jane Arm Shaw, of 57, Ivy Cottage, Turncroft Lane, Stockport.

Private 34742 Frederick Joseph THELWALL.

Cheshire Regiment, 10th Bn.

Died 28 Jul 1916, age 23.

Buried Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France, Section II. Row B. Grave 3.

Son of Charles and Hannah Maria Thelwall, of Marple, Stockport; husband of Annie Thelwall, of 9, Chapel St., Marple, Stockport.

And

Private 26454 Samuel THELWALL Samuel

King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn.

Died 25 Oct 1917, age 20.

Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, Panel 112 to 113.

Son of Charles and Hannah Maria Thelwall, of 29, St. James Terrace, Hollins Lane, Marple, Stockport.

Private 11826 Joseph Henry WILD.

Cheshire Regiment, 11th Bn.

Died 9 Jun 1917, age 27.

Buried Trois Arbres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France, Section I. Row S. Grave 8.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wild, of "High View," Mellor Rd., Marple Bridge, Derbyshire.

Corporal 18161 Charles Frederick MARSLAND.

Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) 6th Bn.

Died 30 Jul 1918, age 22.

Buried St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, Block Q. Section IV. Row H. Grave 9.

Son of Joseph and Louisa Marsland, of Langham, Mellor, Derbyshire.

And

Private 7519 Thomas Hubert MARSLAND.

Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Bn.

Died 19 Aug 1917.

Commemorated Artillery Wood Cemetery, Belgium Special Memorial 4.

Flight Sergeant 1107296 Cyril LAYCOCK

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died 22 Jun 1943 aged 28

Buried Gweru Cemetery, Zimbabwe, Plot 4. Row B. Grave 13.

Son of Charles Cyrus and Lydia Laycock, of Marple, Gtr Manchester.

Private 42983 Evelyn Oswald FURNISS

Derbyshire Yeomanry attached to Durham Light Infantry, 4th Bn.

Died 22 Apr 1917 age 34

Commemorated Loos Memorial, France, Panel 106 and 107.

Son of Edwin and Elizabeth Furniss, of Strawberry Hill, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire.

All photos by Chris Gleave

All Saints War Memorial

All Saints War Memorial stands in the church grounds near the main entrance to the car park. It commemorates 107 local men who died during the Great War.

The main inscription reads.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE MARPLE MEN

WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN THE GREAT WAR 1914 - 1918 A.D.

The inscription at the rear reads.

THIS MONUMENT

is erected by a grateful Township and

many sorrowing relatives and friends.

1919

They loved not their lives unto the death

Rev 12.11.

The men Commemorated

Herbert ADSHEAD

John James ARCHER

Joseph ARDERN

Robert ASHTON

Frederick ATKINSON

Leonard AUSTIN

William AUSTIN

Harold Carver BARLOW

William BARNES

Colin BARTON

Charles (Carlos) Bothwell BATES

Joseph BELL

Joseph BENNETT

Thomas BENNETT

John Thomas BOOTH

Joseph BOOTH

Joe BRADDOCK

Francis Edward BRADSHAWE-ISHERWOOD

Frank T BRADWELL

George Bowden BROCKLEHURST

John Sidney BROCKLEHURST

John BROWN

Donald Harlow BUDENBERG

Joseph BURRELL

Harold Matthew BURTON

Basil Armitage CARVER

Oswald Armitage CARVER

William Herbert CHANEY

John Stanhope COLLINGS-WELLS V.C, D.S.O

Harold COOKE

Arthur Gordon CRESSWELL

Frank Taylor DAWSON

Robert Clifton DAWSON

William DEAN

Robert Cunningham DIXON

Joseph DUDDY

James DUXBURY

William DUXBURY

John EUSTACE

James Garfield FERNLEY

George FIELDING

John Henry Sellers FIELDING

Walter FLETCHER

Walter FLINT

Charles FORTH

Edward Wareham FOWLER

Harry FROST

Norman GREAVES

Ernest GREENHALGH

Joseph HAGUE

Dennis HALL

Frank HARGRAVES

Bernard Harold HARTLEY

Arthur HAYES

Arthur HOOLE

Fred HOPWOOD

Walter Bailey HOPWOOD

James Leslie HOWARD

Walter JACKSON

Cyril Benton JOHNSON

James KERSHAW

William LEIGH

Fred LLOYD

Roland MATHER

Joseph McDERMOTT

Donald McLAINE

Benjamin MILLER

Alec MORGAN

Burt MORRIS

Edward MYCOCK

Oswald NEALE

Benjamin PHILLIPS

George PHILLIPS

Fred PICKFORD

Raymond PICKFORD M.M.

Horace PLATT

Samuel PLATT

Thomas PLATT

Stanley PROCTOR

Arthur RHODES

Fred RILEY

Leonard ROBINSON

James Everett SHARPLES

Norman SHARPLES

Kenneth SINCLAIR

Charles Edward SLATER

Bertram SMITH

Richard SPEAKMAN

Robert Edward SPEAKMAN

William Arthur STOTT

Alfred SUTTON

Harry SYLVESTER

George Frederick TAYLOR

Granville TAYLOR

William Kent TAYLOR

John TEFFT

Frederick Joseph THELWALL

Samuel THELWALL

Arthur Matthias TOMLINSON

David TOTTERDELL

Ernest Henry TRUST

Raymond WALTER

William Emerson WARD

Walter George WOODCOCK

Harry WOODHOUSE

Thomas WRAY

Edward YARWOOD

Richard YARWOOD

Edmund Taylor YOUNG

Malcolm Henry YOUNG

All photos by Chris Gleave

Marple All Saints Commonwealth War Graves

The Churchyard of All Saints contains 13 Commonwealth War Graves, 9 from WWI and 4 from WWII.

Lance Corporal 268118 William BARNES.

Cheshire Regiment, "C" Coy. 9th Bn.

Died 7 Feb 1919, age 24.

Grave 994.

Son of George William and Elma Barnes, of 21, Lock Side, Marple, Stockport.

Private 18372 Joseph BENNETT.

Cheshire Regiment, 3rd Bn.

Died 14 Aug 1916, age 30.

Grave 904.

Son of Joe and Martha Bennett; husband of Lucy Bennett, of 19, Stone Row, Marple, Stockport.

Sapper 223543 Francis CLAYTON.

Royal Engineers.

Died 14 Aug 1919,

Grave 759.

Husband of M. Clayton, of Marple.

Private 4127280 William COCKS.

King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 2nd. Bn.

Died 13 Sep 1943, age 23.

Grave New Ground 1430.

Son of Joseph and Mary Cocks, husband of Irene May Cocks, of Marple.

Corporal 1009063 Thomas Stanley DIXON.
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died 17 Apr 1945, age 30.
Grave Old Ground 307.
Husband of Helen Dixon, of Dukinfield.

Serjeant 6476 John EUSTACE.
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), 1st Bn.
Died 18 May 1915.
Grave 866.

Private 18386 Walter FLETCHER.

Cheshire Regiment, 2nd Bn.

Died 4 Oct 1915.

Grave 314.

Private 14435 John HAMPSON.

Cheshire Regiment.
Died 23 Nov 1919, age 22.
Grave 626.
Son of Mrs. Myra Jane Shore, of 28, Chapel Fields, Marple.

 Sapper 44555 Walter JACKSON.

Royal Engineers, "M" Depot Coy.

Died 3 Dec 1918.

Grave 968.

Private TR/4/54108 Roland MATHER.

Cheshire Regiment.

Died 9 Jan 1919, aged 18.

Grave 991.

Son of Alfred and Mary S. Mather, of 24, Winson Terrace, Hawk Green, Marple.

Private M2/265187 Sidney RICHARDSON.

Army Service Corps, 1062nd M.T. Coy. (Ripon).

Died 14 Nov 1918, age 26.

Grave 986.

Son of James and Eliza Ann Richardson; husband of Florence Ethel Richardson, of 134, Bedford St., Crewe. Born at Strines.

Lance Serjeant 1593232 Samuel SUMNER.

Royal Artillery, 368 Bty. 113 (2/5th Bn. The Durham Light Infantry) Lt. A.A. Regt.

Died 9 Nov 1942.

Grave Old Ground 1062.

Sergeant 1050617 Eric WELCH.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Died 17 Dec 1941, age 21.

Grave Old Ground 1018.

Son of James Henry and Alice Welch, of Marple.

All photos by Chris Gleave