Relatives and friends gathered at Overdale Crematorium,
Bolton to pay our respects and say farewell to our friend Keith
Ashcroft (3rd Dec 1939 - 5th May 2023).
Keith was one of
the original members of Chorley Historical Society and also a
member of Chorley Photographic Society. Keith’s working
career began at Talbot Spinning & Weaving Mill in 1955 as a
Piecer & Tackler where he would maintain the looms. Working in
bare feet he often worked long hours, sometimes 6am till 10pm.
After 5 years he changed career and moved to Leyland Motors
where he was a volunteer ambulance man.
In 1963 he became
a full time member of the Ambulance Service where he worked for
the next 36 years until his retirement. Keith was a family man
with 2 sons but also continued his many interests into
retirement. He was a skilled carpenter and also had a passion
for photography and trains, often travelling far and wide to
observe and photograph them.
A life well lived is a
legacy.
B.H.
Keith Ashcroft.
Keith. (3rd Dec 1939 - 5th May
2023)
Keith on duty.
Chorley
Historical Society Annual Dinner at the 'Seaview' - 7th Mar
2008.
Keith is seated at the centre.
Stanley Pearson - History of a
World War 2 Chorley Soldier.
Tue 09th May 2023.
Stanley presented the story of his father, Sgt John Pearson
during WW2. His father originally enlisted in the East
Lancashire Regiment. John was born in Trafalgar St Chorley and
Stanley was born in Alfred’s Court, (off Market St near
theChorley in 1941. During WW2 John initially sailed to North
Africa where remained for a few months before being part of the
attack on Sicily. Subsequently 9 sep 1943 they attacked Salerno,
Italy but experienced much more resistance than expected. From
there Sgt Pearson sent a moving letter home to Stanley and his
Mother expressing his love for them. The next day Stanley’s
Mother received a letter from the War Office stating that Sgt
John Pearson of the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment had been
killed in action on 5th January 1944. He had moved from the East
Lancashire Regiment to Lincolnshire regiment. Three years later
Stanley’s Mother remarried and Stanley grew up with his new
father.
Stanley Pearson
When Stanley found out about his biological father he began a
search to find out how he died, where he was buried and where he
was killed in action. Stanley’s presentation covered the
detailed investigations that led him to his fathers grave in the
Cassino War Cemetery and where he was killed along with several
of his regiment.
Stanley has published a detailed account
of the story and it can be read via this
pdf
link.