back to home page

Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society
News and Views

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Jan 2023 Feb 2023 Mar 2023 Apr 2023 May 2023 Jun 2023
Jul 2023 Aug 2023 Sep 2023 Oct 2023 Nov 2023 Dec 2023
May 2023
 
Keith Ashcroft (3rd Dec 1939 - 5th May 2023).
Wed 31st May 2023.


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.

And also on the Lincolnshire Regiment website.
http://www.thelincolnshireregiment.org/stanpearson.shtml

Sgt John Pearson is remembered on the Chorley War Memorial in Astley Park.

B.H.

Margaret, Stanley & Sgt John Pearson.

Alfred's Court in 1890.

Alfred's Court today. The houses were on the left and a brewery on the right.

Alfred's Court.

Sgt John Pearson.

Chorley War Memorial - Astley Park.

 
 
  back to home page