Fleetwood RNLI

By Ken Harcombe - Volunteer Press Officer, Fleetwood RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that saves lives at sea. Founded by Sir William Hillary, his vision was to provide a 24/7 search and rescue service, run where possible by volunteers and funded by donations. Since its formation in 1824 – nearly 200 years ago - it has saved over 143,000 lives.

The RNLI operates a professional 24/7 search and rescue service at 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland, in addition to other lifesaving initiatives, which would not be possible without donations. Over 5,000 volunteer lifeboat crew members often display unfailing courage and selflessness, whilst on rescues. However, a further 20,000 community fund-raising volunteers devote time and energy, through RNLI branches, shops, guilds and visitor centres, to ensure the money is raised to pay for the best training and equipment for crews to launch on service to help others. Other fundraisers help raise money when they can, through sponsored events. The RNLI is incredibly fortunate and grateful to attract fund-raisers from all walks of life and through all age groups. Fund-raising inspiration sometimes originates from a personal experience. Easter 2003 and the Good Friday provided an opportunity for the Hales family from Bolton to enjoy quality time together at Blackpool. The family took turns on their powerful jet-ski, making the most of the early Spring sunshine. As the afternoon drew to a close, husband Ian decided to take wife Debbie for one final run along the coast. Debbie has no recollection of what happened next, but it was reported that as the pair approached the town’s historic North Pier, Ian suffered a major heart attack and lost control of the jet-ski. On-lookers on the pier watched in horror as the jet-ski rammed into the pier’s metal supports. The emergency services were quickly on scene and the local lifeboat crew launched immediately to help. The Blackpool RNLI volunteers quickly picked up the unconscious pair and rushed them to the waiting ambulances.

Sadly, Ian never survived the tragic accident and Debbie spent 12 months in recuperation, following a series of major surgical operations. She returned to the lifeboat station to thank the volunteers at Blackpool on the first anniversary of the accident and met the crew who saved her life. This was the inspiration for Debbie to help those that helped her. As well as volunteering to help in the RNLI shop at Blackpool, Debbie was heavily involved in their fundraising activities and was always there when support was required. But her thoughts turned to those inland residents nearer to her home, where visits to the seaside are often carefree and without thought to the dangers and unpredictability of the sea. She saw an opportunity to increase awareness of sea safety and also to raise much needed funds. In 2018, the Blackburn and Darwen RNLI Fund-raisers started their important work. Debbie and her fellow volunteers have now raised over £30,000, despite the current

Above: Debbie (centre) with friends Maureen and Mel pandemic and continue to inform the local community of sea safety. Debbie’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was awarded the Excellence in Volunteering Award by the charity for her work in setting up the Blackburn and Darwen RNLI Fundraisers and the sincerest gratitude from the RNLI Chairman, Mark Dowie, in recognition of Debbie’s continued dedication to saving lives at sea. At Fleetwood RNLI, we are lucky enough to find a willing volunteer in Roy Lyons. Roy served with the RAF as Radio Operator at RAF Changai, now Changai International airport in Singapore, during the Malay Crisis. After Roy retired, he was very much aware of the work of the RNLI when out sailing. But his knowledge of the volunteer’s courage came from extensive reading and he knew he wanted to help raise funds for the charity. So, in 1994, he joined the Knott End branch of RNLI fund-raisers and despite the occasional breaks for health reasons, has pretty much continued through to the present time. Roy lives in Knott End and despite being less than half a mile from Fleetwood by Lancashire’s only in county ferry, the Wyre Rose, it’s nearly 14 miles away when the ferry can’t sail. This didn’t deter Roy from joining the Fleetwood branch of the RNLI fundraisers in 2000, then becoming RNLI shop Treasurer, or becoming the station treasure in 2011. Roy eventually retired from the Treasury position in 2016, but continues to fund-raise when possible and is still helping out in the RNLI shop at Fleetwood.

Roy has many memorable moments and recalls the many grateful visitors to the shop who recounted tales of relatives being rescued by the RNLI. Fleetwood RNLI Shop has also received letters of thanks from across the world. Every Christmas, the late Captain ‘Bob’ Arnott, former captain of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2, who retired to the family home in Fleetwood, used to pop into the RNLI shop for his Christmas cards and Roy recalls the long chats he had with him. Roy’s service to the station was recognised in 2017. A visit was planned by members of 605 Squadron, including Wing Commander Paul Bell, who had attended the naming ceremony for Fleetwood’s new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat in 2016. The station’s new all-weather lifeboat was named Kenneth James Pierpoint, a former RAF Pilot Officer with 605 Squadron, who tragically died in a training accident in 1942. The visit to Fleetwood was to mark the 75th anniversary of Kenneth’s death. Following a short service, lunch was arranged in the town’s North Euston Hotel and Wing Commander Bell surprised his former RAF colleague by presenting a signed photo of the new Shannon, signed by the crew, in recognition of his valued service to the lifeboat station. Roy said: ‘I was shocked when Wing Commander Bell asked me to come up front and he presented the framed photo to me. It was quite an emotional moment for me and one I’ll treasure for a long time’. The charity’s work also inspires a new generation of supporters. This summer, six-year-old Henry WilsonStephenson was chatting to neighbour, Tracey Hope, a trainee crew member at Lytham lifeboat station. Tracey told Henry about the work of the volunteers at the RNLI and he decided to help raise funds for them. But he had no idea of the best way to do it. Henry and mum, Victoria Wilson, discussed ways to raise funds for the charity and because of Henry’s love of cycling, they decided that Henry could take part in a sponsored cycle ride from their local lifeboat station in Lytham, to its sister station in St Annes. Victoria bravely offered to run alongside her son. It was going to be a great adventure for the young fundraiser.

Above: Young Henry Morecambe Jack Sparrow

The original idea was to ‘piggy-back’ RNLI Lytham St Anne’s annual fundraising campaign, ‘Leg it for Lytham’ and the intrepid fund-raisers set off for St Annes. But Henry surprised Victoria on arrival at St Annes by insisting on continuing the journey another five miles to Blackpool lifeboat station! Henry made his contribution to the Lytham ‘Leg it’ campaign and enjoyed it so much, he wondered if they could continue their adventure in the future and raise even more funds for the charity. They discovered Fleetwood RNLI was about ten miles from the Blackpool lifeboat station and decided that would be their next challenge! Two weeks later, Henry and Victoria set off from RNLI Blackpool and reached Fleetwood lifeboat station just over two hours later. Henry’s promise of a fish and chip lunch certainly spurred him on and after meeting with volunteers from the Fleetwood lifeboat station, devoured his favourite lunch, happily donated to the young fundraiser by The Ferry Café. But Henry wasn’t finished. Victoria contacted RNLI Morecambe, who arranged for a cycle ride around Morecambe from the in-shore lifeboat station to the hovercraft station, accompanied by Captain Jack Sparrow (Laurraine Smith), dressed in appropriate pirate costume. Henry and Victoria returned to Morecambe RNLI a few weeks later to host their fund-raising day, along with Captain Jack Sparrow and the sea-shanty group, The Mizzen Crew. Henry has cycled over 30 miles to raise much needed funds for his favourite charity and continued to support it right through his summer holidays. His target is £1,000, a remarkable achievement for such a young person and a huge credit to mum, Victoria.

Personally, I find it a huge privilege to be involved with the RNLI and discover just how many people are devoted to the charity. You are constantly humbled by the time and effort that people are prepared to give to help others. In Lancashire, we at the RNLI are fortunate to have people like Debbie, Roy and Henry, who continue to inspire others with their dedication and personal story to help save lives at sea. We salute our fund-raisers and thank them for their incredible commitment and devotion to the RNLI. Without our fund-raisers there would be no lifeboat. There are a number of volunteering opportunities available across the RNLI. Some supporters think that you can only volunteer as crew and aren’t aware of ‘land-based’ roles that are essential to saving lives at sea. To find out more on how you can support the charity visit rnli.org.uk/support-us

Above:Young Henry Morecambe Mizzen Crew

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FLEETWOOD RNLI GO TO: www.fleetwoodlifeboat.org.uk

TO DONATE OR SUPPORT THE RNLI GO TO: https://rnli.org.uk/support-us

“Did You Think That I Would Leave You Dying?”

By Harold Cunliffe

At this time of the year our thoughts go to those who did their bit during conflict. Those brave servicemen and women who put their lives in the line of fire.

It is hard to imagine the feeling that many parents had as they waved their beloved sons off to fight in foreign lands, with the prospect of never, ever, seeing them again.

“CLIMB ABOARD”

WW1, Lance-Corp Joel Halliwell was the only resident in the town of Middleton, Manchester, to be awarded a V.C. for his bravery during the First World War. His actions could be described in the words of the famous song, “Two Little Boys.”

Thirty seven year old Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell captured a stray German horse, then went in to no man’s land to rescue injured soldiers who were facing death by being in the path of the advancing German army. Halliwell rescued a number of men only ceasing his actions when his Colonel ordered him to stop for his own safety. Initially the fantastic news of this award arrived via a letter to the Halliwell home, 3 Parkfield, during July 1918, in which Joel wrote to his mother explaining how he came to acquire the coveted honour. The exact contents of his letter follows.

“I have been very lucky of late, and very busy, my word! I thought once, mother, I should never see you again till the war was over, for with the enemy advancing so quickly we were almost surrounded a time or two, and the Colonel took me and the horses into action. We went without anything to eat or drink for two days, and could not get away until we had fought way through, and our stretcher bearers were so busy taking wounded away until we had not a stretcher left. I was down at battalion, a few yards behind the line. We had formed up from the time we were holding them. The Colonel went up to the lads to see how things were going on, and when he came back he says to me, “Halliwell, we haven’t a stretcher left: can you fetch some of those fellows in who are left wounded?” Mind you, they were then in between our lines and the Germans’. So he said, “Can you fetch some of those poor fellows in with your horse?” I said, “Yes if it is possible,” and off I went, and all the time Fritz was firing his shells at me, but nothing hit me. My first care was an officer, and then men, how many I cannot say, I was that excited, but I should say about eight. I went that often until I had almost got captured myself, and the Colonel had to stop me. During the night nothing happened, and early the next morning we were in action again, and I was still with the boys behind the lines, ready for wounded, for anything. I was dashing about with messages, as well as doing the other work, until the boys got surrounded, and then the Colonel said, “Halliwell, get out of it as quickly as you can,” and I thought to myself, “Now which way shall I make for the best?” so I mounted my horse and flew down the first road that offered itself, and after a lot of dodging about I found the transport; not without accident, though, for my horse got wounded in the back, but it carried me just through in time. Later in the day we heard that the battalion had all got captured, so you see from that part of the line there is only me left to tell the tale. According to what the rumour is, the Colonel said to the officer and men he was going to recommend me in dispatches.”

A second letter arrived which gave details of his award. He related to his mother, “It will be great news to all at home that I am recommended for the Victoria Cross., and I am only waiting for the word to come from the War Office to see what I am going to get, and if it is going to be what they have put me in for, I shall soon be with you again, and we will have a fine time, and then I can tell you all about it. All the boys in the brigade wish me the best of luck.”

Great excitement spread through this little mill town, which is located between Manchester and Rochdale. It was the Town’s Mayor, Alderman, William Martin Wiggins who started a fund to provide the town’s hero with an engraved gold pocket watch, plus a gift of money in the form of War Bonds for which £100 was required. A great deal of the townsfolk supported Mr Mayor, one such person was the owner of a local combined Cinema and Theatre, Mr Tom Baker. At this place of entertainment a ‘Grand Patriotic Concert’ was produced in which to raise funds. Joel Halliwell was in a protected trade during the war, being a foreman at a mill in Oldham, but following the appeal made by Lord Kitchener, he attended his nearest recruiting office, then he was put into khaki and entered the Lancashire Fusiliers after being classed as medically fit. Could it have been the loss of his younger brother on the Somme during September 1916 that inspired Joel to do his bit against the enemy? People knew him as a typical young man who grew up in the district of Parkfield. His hobby was football, but not the taking part. It is documented that he had a fantastic knowledge of footballers and their clubs. If asked a question on this subject he could recite the details of hundreds of footballers, plus their teams with amazing accuracy.

Above: Well wishers wave off the 1/6th Lancashire Fusiliers outside the Drill Hall Above: Gold Watch presented to Lance Corp Halliwell by the Mayor of the town

Above: Concert in aid of Joel Halliwell Above: Concert in aid of Joel Halliwell

Above: Visit by the Prince of Wales, 1921. Arrowed is Joel Halliwell.

Above: Royal Visit to Heaton Park. Middleton’s V.C. far left, looking very happy.

Above: Toms Grave as featured on the Antiques Roadshow

You may imagine that communications were not as instant as they are today, but it was early one morning at the end of July that the Mayor of Middleton was informed that our hero was on his way home, and was not far from Lancashire. Word spread like wildfire which instilled thousands of townsfolk to turn out to cheer our V.C., as he passed along on the route from the railway station to his family home at Parkfield. There was no doubt that he was surprised by the turnout, especially as he approached his family home where the residents had erected patriotic flags and bunting in his honour. “Thursday morning was gala day for Parkfield, for Halliwell is a Parkfield lad, and Parkfield people are very proud of him,” commented the editor of the local newspaper. There was an element of sadness too as he towns hero made his way through the street. One tradesman, who was observed looking out of his workshop window must have had a heavy heart. Both of his sons, both fine lads, were lost during this awful conflict. VISIT TO BUCK HOUSE

A public ceremony was planned to take place upon the Market Place, but this coincided with the day that Halliwell had been summoned to Buckingham Palace, for that was the day the King was presenting him with his Victoria Cross. The Mayor arranged for Saturday, September the 14th for the celebration to take place. On that day he presented our V.C. with an illuminated address and a gold pocket watch gifted by the Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman and Mrs W.M.Wiggins, plus war bonds to the value of £135-10s. In which £130 was given in war bonds, residue being cash. We discover that Joel became a quite a celebrity, in high demand. Many clubs and organisations invited him as a guest of honour and in some cases making an award too. An example was at the Tonge Football and Bowling Club, there he was given life membership and a gift of a cigarette case by the chairman, Mr C. Shuttleworth. Our humble Lancashire lad became known to the Royal family. Lance-Corp, Halliwell was personally invited to attend the Royal Visit at Heaton Park, and also to meet the Prince of Wales during his 1921 tour of Lancashire. An old photograph taken at the time of the 1921 to visit to Middleton was unearthed in the loft of a house at Todmorden. Next, following hours of restoration we discover our V.C. in attendance. The newspapers at the period stated that the Prince, who was keen to meet ex-servicemen wanted to meet Joel and they both had a long and interesting chat. NEW PLACE OF LEARNING

Today we have little to document the memory of the town’s only V.C. apart from a memorial plaque at the cemetery and a street named after him, one with no houses. Ironically, two of our images featured are located within a few feet of each other. The present street sign is very close to the spot Joel is standing in the Royal Visit picture of 1921.

It is estimated in around three years’ time a new school is to be completed at a place known as Bowlee. During the Second World War this was area was used by the R.A.F. Joel however relates to the First World War. Maybe it is time for Rochdale Council to step up and to honour our brave son by naming the new seat of learning after the only Middleton resident to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Halliwell was honoured for not taking human life, but for saving it. 100 YEARS ON

From the moment I was contacted until It was aired, I could not wait to view the coverage broadcast on the B.B.C television’s “Antique Roadshow,” where in April 2014 a section was devoted to Joel Halliwell, V.C. The story was related of the bravery which took place that day by their expert, who incidentally was reduced to tears. Fiona Bruce presented the item with Dora Gartside, (Joel’s daughter), and other family members being present at the cemetery, Albert, France, where the item was recorded. During the recording the cigarette case which had been presented to Lance Corp Halliwell at Tonge Club was shown. Then in a final emotional twist to the feature, the expert identified a grave close by. This was the grave of Private Tom Halliwell, 18014. Border Regiment. 2nd Oct 1916. Previously unvisited by family members it is the uncle to Dora and brother of Joel. Special mention to Rochdale Museum Service and Local Studies for acquiring the gold pocket watch and allowing use of their images. The watch is within a display as you enter the Art Gallery and Museum. www.lancmag.com

It was around 2005 when two people I know became interested in documenting in book form those from Middleton who fell in the Great War to be named, “Doing Our Bit.”

Originally it was the local newspaper, the Middleton Guardian, who published an inexpensive book documenting the fallen in 1919. The contents of the book were based upon a series of news items which detailed the fallen in the column known as “Middleton’s Brave Sons.” This book, costing one shilling (5p today) only documented the servicemen in which the families released details to the newspaper, so was not a conclusive record, but was and still is a valuable record. At the time of publication the idea was to provide the relatives with a permanent memorial to the fallen member of the family. Martin Purdy and Ian Dawson enthusiastically took on this task of recording the men from this town. Both would visit my home once a week where I would pass on my findings. One day I happened to be passing the house of a family friend, Mr and Mrs Etherington. This couple, now deceased were of a very sociable character. “Come in Harold, I will put the kettle on,” was Maureen’s greeting. Sitting next to her husband in the kitchen Ralph and Maureen enquired what I was up to. At that period I was the person who produced a weekly column in the newspaper, memories of yesteryear, known as “Bygone days,” so many people like Maureen and Ralph were interested in knowing what story I was working on, and wondering what to expect in future issues.

Naturally I mentioned the WW1 book in which I was supporting, and currently researching material. Maureen, standing at the kitchen sink, in her Lancashire accent, started to relate a story which was amazing, but so sad. “Eh, our Alfred. You know that was awful, so sad you know. He had a wife and two boys, had a good job too, and then he volunteered. Well his mother was furious, she did not agree at all. Why risk losing your life when you had no need to? and what she said you know as he was going haunted her for the rest of her life” Alfred Whittaker re-joined the colours, but on the day he left the Kay Street home, heading to France, his mother made a comment, no doubt in anger or frustration which she would live to regret for the rest of her life, and be a talking point for others, said, “Get gone, I hope you never come back.” Little did she realise that this was to come true, this was the last time she would see her son; he was in fact killed and never returned home. This was a story in which I thought Martin and Ian would like to feature, so my next job was to visit family members who each had a snippet of information. Eventually, once the book was published, Martin and Ian had a surprise, for the picture I had copied of Alfred Whittaker in his formal regimental pose was featured on the front cover. In the first instance Private Alfred Whittaker’s death was not conveyed to his family officially, via a telegram from the War Office but by a family friend. The details were reported in the press, “We regret to inform you that another Middleton man has been called upon to make the great sacrifice in his country’s cause. This is Private Alfred Whittaker, of 2nd Manchester Regiment, the information of his death was conveyed to his wife, Clara, in a letter received by Mrs Walters from her husband, Sergeant Walters, of the same regiment. This communication was dated April 11th, and stated that Private Whittaker had been buried that night. The writer promised to forward further information as soon as it was available.” It was understood that Pvt Whittaker had spent time in the trenches, but at the time of his death (10th April) was engaged on transport duties. It was while he was carrying out this activity that he almost lost his life a few months prior. His water bottle was responsible for saving him, for it was found to contain a snipers bullet. Alfred had received two letters in the days leading up to his death. One from Miss Blything, a school teacher and the other was from his two sons, James aged seven and Arthur aged five. The teacher asked James if he would like to send a letter to his daddy who was serving abroad, at this prospect the little lads face beamed with delight. It took James several attempts to write out his letter, which was posted to Private Whittaker along with a packet of

Above: “Doing Our Bit.”

Above: Alfred Whittaker

cigarettes in which all the class had made a contribution. It is thought that Alfred shared the cigarettes with his comrades. Members of the Whittaker family are proud to have the cherished items on display. Visiting the grandson I found a memorial on one of the walls of the house including his death penny. Images used in this feature are kindly reproduced. Also the original letters have been kept safe. Seven year old James’s letter reads, “Dear dad, I hope you are well. I wish the war was over and then you can come home. My class is sending you some cigarettes for you to smoke. Arthur (aged 5) and I send our love. We are good boys and help mother. From your loving son James. Xxx”

Alfred’s brother Arthur lived a few minutes’ walk away at Wood Street. He had a lucky escape in 1915, by surviving an injury to his head. In a letter to his sister he stated, “I am a lucky man” claimed the 27 year old, “You want to see my hat, it has nine holes in it, but only two of the bullets caught me. I was sitting on the back of the trench when it happened.”

“WE WATCHED MANCHESTER BURN”

Sadly the number of people who survived the Manchester Blitz are now few in number. Having interviewed many of those who had memories of this frightening time their experiences can be related. 23rd December 1940 was the Christmas Blitz, but once the fires had been extinguished, a teenager, the late Roger Burton set off to Manchester where he was employed as a fifteen year old office boy. It was when he was a mile from the city centre that a policeman asked him where he was going, “To work in the office, near Portland Street in the centre of town,” he replied. “Not today,” replied the officer. Roger feared for his livelihood, no work, no pay, so insisted he at least turned up, so once again attempted to pass. “Listen son,” commented the policeman, “you do not have an office t go to, it has all gone, nothing left, now go home.” Another fifteen year old was about to find out that life was about to change forever whilst out delivering milk, a product from the family’s farm. Today Arthur Warhurst has vivid memories of deliveries on the road which leads to Manchester. Back then he used a horse and trap type of vehicle. It was while he was standing at the front door of one of his customers on Sunday 3rd September 1939 that she invited him inside her home to hear a message by the King which was being broadcast on the radio. Arthur, along with other members of her family stood in silence as King George VI announces, “We are at war with Germany.” The Warhurst family farm was located high on the hill above the town of Middleton, thus giving a clear view of the centre of Manchester. During the nights of the Manchester Blitz he and his brother John stood outside their farmhouse and watched Manchester burn. They could hear the sights and sounds as wave after wave of bombers dropped their deadly load upon the city. The Warhurst sons kept watch upon the wellbeing of their animals. But they themselves were in the firing line. Being over five miles away from the danger zone, you were not safe. Arthur said, “We were in the fields making sure that our animals were safe. Should one be hit with shrapnel it could bleed to death. John and I heard a whizzing sound followed by a thud, it was dark so we had no idea what it was. Early the next day we were out in the fields when we noticed a hole in the ground. We were keen to find out what it was that flew over our heads the previous night so we set to and dug the object out. Once cleaned we found that it was a brass nose cone from a shell. That was a close call so after that we dug a trench and kept watch from eye level and the safety of being in a dug-out.”

Above: The houses in the centre of the image show the home where Arthur Warhurst was invited in to hear the Kings announcement. Joel Halliwell was a neighbour, living at number 24.

Another family friend and exserviceman who was lucky to return home was the late Les Lord. While in the R.A.F. serving in Rangoon he purchased a camera with which he took a number of snaps including the surrender of the Japanese. A few years ago the postman delivered a package, I was not expecting a package, next upon opening I found it was the photo albums which Les acquired while serving in Rangoon. “I thought that you would be interested in looking at these,” Les stated in his letter, “You can copy and use all you like!” This I did as insurance just in case the package should be lost within its return journey. Mr Lord who was 20 years old at the time was at the airport where a local surrender was signed, Les said, “We had heard about the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki through Radio SEAC, our Forces station, but didn’t really expect the Japanese to give up so quickly.” Photographs taken from the album are the Surrender of the Japanese at Mingladon (Rangoon) Airport, August 1945, and the memorial at Akyab (Burma). “In memory of our comrades of the 9th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment who fell in the Arakan. 1944-45.” Each Sunday evening Les would phone from his Doncaster home to have a chat. One night however I was in for a surprise. I knew the details of his time serving in the R.A.F. so when I spotted a mock-up of a Spitfire at Fairhaven Lake, Lytham, I had to photograph it and email it over. But in doing so I spent half an hour on image manipulation to remove the pole which kept the model simulating flight. I messaged stating that I had had a fantastic day at the coast, plus a Spitfire flew over. Without reading the information plaque I had no idea why this memorial was present. Les however did. Being an amazing researcher he instantly recognised the plane. Then could not believe his eyes, it was a link to his family. As a child his uncle was the owner of a sports and toy shop, where each Sunday he would enjoy playing with the items in stock with his cousin, Alan, happy days spent in the shop filled with delights while the adults chatted in the rooms above. The Mark Vb Spitfire, W3644 was lost on the 23rd June 1942 along with the pilot, Sgt Alan Lever Ridings. Sgt Ridings was the cousin he met each Sunday. A family reunion took place on the green at Lytham. I feel humble to have a number of mentions in his book, “Les’s Story,” which he wrote in his ninety third year. He described the Spitfire find as an exciting time of his life and doubted if he would have many more to record in his advancing age.

Above: The Lytham Spitfire in memory of Sgt Alan Ridings

Above: Memorial to Lancashire lads who fell at Akyab