Trafford

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.