Albert Platt
Following a request by Rainhill Civic Society Heritage Group for information anyone may have about a relative who served in WW2, we were contacted by Maxine Blakemore with details about her grandfather Albert Platt who sadly died in the conflict and the devastating effect it had on his family:
Albert was born in Ellaby Road, Rainhill on the 27th April 1913 to William and Ellen Platt. William was a collier. Albert's profession was Agricultural Engineer/Turner and apparently he used to cycle to work from Rainhill to Lymm. He married Jane Hardman at St.Ann’s Church on 27th March 1937 and went on to have four sons. The family lived at 32 Second Avenue. Albert enlisted into the West Yorkshire Regiment on 24th June 1940 and after a period of training was posted to Burma.
Albert was born in Ellaby Road, Rainhill on the 27th April 1913 to William and Ellen Platt. William was a collier. Albert's profession was Agricultural Engineer/Turner and apparently he used to cycle to work from Rainhill to Lymm. He married Jane Hardman at St.Ann’s Church on 27th March 1937 and went on to have four sons. The family lived at 32 Second Avenue. Albert enlisted into the West Yorkshire Regiment on 24th June 1940 and after a period of training was posted to Burma.
After fighting the Japanese for over 3 years in the jungles of Burma and being injured twice, Albert was killed in action on 25th March 1945 aged just 32. Victory was eventually achieved despite having to overcome the climate, the geography and not least fanatical opposition, but the courage and endurance of brave men like Albert Platt prevailed.
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Albert is buried Taukkyan Cemetery, Burma.
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After Albert's death Jane never re-married and with four young sons to bring up her life was one of hardship and penury. To help, the boys did their bit to supplement Jane's meagre income by taking on various part time jobs including milk and paper rounds, working on Strettle's Farm and collecting potato peelings from neighbours which they then sold to local farmers who used them as pig food.
Sadly, tragedy struck the family once again when in October 1988 Jane was knocked down and killed in a motoring accident on Warrington Road at its junction with Longton Lane.
The Civic Society is indebted to Maxine for sharing her memories of a brave grandfather and the tragic death of her grandmother.
Sadly, tragedy struck the family once again when in October 1988 Jane was knocked down and killed in a motoring accident on Warrington Road at its junction with Longton Lane.
The Civic Society is indebted to Maxine for sharing her memories of a brave grandfather and the tragic death of her grandmother.
In addition to the above images, Maxine has also provided other service records related to Albert which can be viewed HERE