Annie Clark

Rank:W.V.S.
Died:23/12/1940Age:41
How Died:Falling Masonry
Incident Date:23/12/1940
Incident Address.89 Oakfield Road
Died Address:89 Oakfield Road
C.W.D. No.4
Grave Details:G/28a
Grave Photo:Yes
Cemetery or Memorial:Altrincham (Hale) Cemetery
Town Memorial:Not Listed
Extra Information:
Born as Annie Dean on the 16th June 1899, the
birth being registered during the September
quarter 1899 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/164,
the eldest daughter of Charles Frank Whittic & Ann
Dean (nee Barker).   Baptised at St. John's P.C.
Altrincham on the 9th August 1899

1901 Census - 35 Moss Lane, Altrincham - The
"Bridge Inn".      Daughter - aged: 1 - born:
Altrincham.   Head of household - Frank  Dean -
Married - aged: 28 - occ: Manager of Beerhouse -
born: Gloucester.     Also - Ann Dean - Wife -
aged: 27 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 2 aunts.

1911 Census - 35 Moss Lane, Altrincham - The
"Bridge Inn".      Daughter - aged: 11 - born:
Altrincham.   Head of household - Charles F.W.
Dean - Married - aged: 38 - occ: Bar & Wine
Retailer - born: Gloucester.     Also - Ann Dean -
Wife - aged: 37 - born: Altrincham.   Plus 1
younger sister and 2 bar staff.

The Bridge Inn was demolished at the beginning of
2012.

Married Fred Ardern during the March quarter 1923
in the 8a/254.    Fred died during the June
quarter 1937, aged: 37.   She then married Ronald
Vernon Clark during the June quarter 1940 in the
Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/711.    Ronald was an
Engineer/Miller, but I'm unable to find a record
of his death.

1939 National Registration - 89 Oakfield Road,
Altrincham.   Annie Clark - Widow - born: 16th
June 1899 - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.  John
Russell - Single - born: 13th August 1914 - occ:
Policeman.

Just before 20.30 hrs during the second night of
the "Manchester Blitz", a bomb fell on the corner
of Oakfield Road & Moss Lane, Altrincham,
destroying six houses and killing 12 civilians. 

Annie was killed at 89 Oakfield Road, Altrincham. 
Her CWD Ref No. 4 - states that she had been
buried by Masonry - her body was found fully
dressed at 16.00 hrs, 24/12/1940 it was taken to
A.B. Brookes & Son's Mortuary, Stamford New Road,
Altrincham and Identified by her sister - Nancy
Higginson, 81 Harboro Road West, Ashton on Mersey.
  Buried 30/12/1940 - Burial No. 10,769.

Although not individually named, Annie is one of
the 12 local residents killed at this site and
around the corner on Moss Lane who are
commemorated in the Memorial Garden on the corner
of Moss Lane and Oakfield Road.

On Friday 23rd December 2011 a group of local
residents, relatives of the victims and civic
dignitaries attended a wreath laying ceremony at
the memorial garden on Oakfield Road, Altrincham,
to the 12 civilians that died when a German bomb
landed at this site at about 8.30 pm 71 years ago
to the day.

The Sale & Altrincham Messenger sent a
photographer and a short report of the ceremony
appeared in the 5th January 2012 edition of their
newspaper.    The Hale, Sale & Altrincham
Independent Newspaper also reported the event in
their January 2012 edition.

As the articles attracted such interesting
feedback from relatives of victims and those
involved in their recovery, the Messenger's Chief
Reporter Chris Griffin,  researched the event
further and wrote a number of excellent articles
about it and the families involved.   He also
reported about the recent demolition of the nearby
Bridge Inn public house where one of the victims
was raised.    The articles were dated 12th
January, 26th January, 2nd February, 16th
February, 1st March and the 15th March 2012.  
Chris was able to obtain much unknown information
and personal photographs of a number of the
victims from their families.

Six houses were demolished in this incident - Nos.
83, 85, 97, 98 & 91 Oakfield Road, plus the first
house on Moss Lane.    No.43 Moss Lane was
situated immediately behind No. 91 Oakfield Road. 
These two dwellings suffered the greatest amount
of damage and was obviously the point where the
bomb struck.   The bodies from these two houses
were the last to be recovered at 1.0 pm on
Christmas Day.    The land where Nos. 83 to 91
Oakfield Road was sited is now the site of the
Memorial Garden and a builders merchants now
occupies the site of No. 43 Moss Lane.



District:
Altrincham (Trafford MBC)
Memorials found on:
C.W.G.C.
Similar Names