Trafford

Born during the March quarter 1920 in the Buckow R.D. - ref: 8a/348, the
son of Arthur & Florence Critchley (nee Eastwood).   They later resided at
12 Mayors Road, Altrincham.

Attended St. George's C of E Primary School.     A keen Scout at the
Unitarian Church whose war memorial states that he died on the 22nd.   
Employed at Kendal Milne, Mcr.

1939 National Registration - 14 Borough Road, Altrincham.   Residing with
his future in-laws???    William Gorst - Married - born on the 3rd May 1882
- occ: Press Tool Setter.    Florence Gorst - Married - born on the 19th
March 1885 - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.   Peggy Gorst - Single - born on
the 26th January 1919 - occ: Cafe Waitress.   There is 1 redacted record at
this address - this could have been Albert living with his intended in-laws
or Peggy's sibling ???   He was not residing with his own family at 12
Mayors Road, so it's quite likley him residing at Borough Road.

He married Peggy Gorst during the June quarter 1941 in the Bucklow R.D. -
ref: 8a/844.  They lived at 14 Borough Road, Altrincham.

Originally served in the Royal Artillery where he rose to the rank of
Sergeant and escaped from Dunkirk.

Death reported in the 07/01/1944 edition of the Sale & Stretford Guardian.

One of seven brothers, four of whom are on active service.

He left a widow and a daughter - Jillian.

M.I. - "In his golden youth he took his place as a man amongst the brave. 
Always remembered".

The British and Canadians were fighting their way up the eastern coast of
Italy and in December 1943 had reached Ortono where building to building
"Mouse-holing" was taking place.   "Mouse-holing was going into a building
- working your way to the top, floor by floor - then knocking a hole into
the wall of the adjoining house and working your way down to the basement,
floor by floor - then knocking a hole into the next cellar and starting the
process all over again.  On the 23rd December the British took Arielli, to
the north of Ortono, whist the Canadians gradually took the town of
Ortono.

The 16th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, was formed in Edinburgh,
Scotland in early July 1940. The Battalion then consisted of several large
drafts of raw civilian conscripts, with most of its NCOs drawn from the
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. After much training and via moves
to Dalkeith, Thetford, Folkstone and Rye, the Battalion sailed away to war
on Christmas Day 1942 from Liverpool aboard the MV Staffordshire, as part
of 139 Brigade of the 46th Infantry Division of the First Army. Entering
the front-line in the Green Hill sector of Northern Tunisia on January 17th
1943, the 16th DLI suffered grievous losses in the Battle of Sedjenane,
which began for the Durhams on the morning of February 27th 1943. The 16th
played a major role in the Salerno Landings of September 1943 and the
subsequent gruelling campaign in Italy. In December 1944 16 DLI was flown
to Greece, returning to Italy in April 1945. The 16th Battalion of the
Durham Light Infantry was disbanded in Austria in February 1946.