Trafford

Born 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. on the 9th August 1899.  Her parents listed as residing at
41 Moss Lane, Altrincham and her father's occupation - Beerhouse Keeper.

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.

Her father - Charles Frank Whittc Dean died in the spring of 1921, aged:
49.

1921 Census - Bridge Inn, Moss Lane, Altrincham.    Daughter - aged: 22 -
occ: At Home.  Head of household - Ann Dean - Widow - aged: 49 - occ:
Innkeeper Manager.  Plus a younger sisiter and 1 Boarder and 1 domestic
servant.

The Bridge Inn was demolished at the beginning of 2012.

Married Fred Ardern at St. John's P.C. on the 7th February 1923, the
marriage being registered during the March quarter 1923 in the Bucklow R.D.
- ref: 8a/254.    Fred was a 23 year old bachelor, a joiner by trade and
was residing at the School House, Elsworth, Cheshire.   Annie a 23 year old
spinster of 43 Oxford Road, Altrincham.       Fred died during the June
quarter 1937, aged: 37.

Annie, then married Ronald Vernon Clark during the June quarter 1940 in the
Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/711.    Ronald was an Engineer/Miller, born on the
18th January 1912.   In 1939, he was residing at 8 Laurel Drive,
Altrincham..

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

Annie volonteered to serve in the Womens Voluntary Services at the start of
the War.

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 four 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 1600hrs, 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.

Four houses from a terrace of six, were destroyed in this incident - Nos.
87, 89 & 91 Oakfield Road, plus the sweet shop on the corner of Oakfield
Road and Moss Lane.    The bodies from No. 91 and the shop were the last to
be recovered at 1.0 pm on Christmas Day.    The land where Nos. 83 to 91
Oakfield Road and the shop were sited is now a Memorial Garden.

CWGC - W.V.S.; of 89 Oakfield Road. Daughter of the late Charles Frank
Whittic Dean and Ann Dean, of Bridge Inn, Moss Lane; wife of Ronald V.
Clark. Died at Oakfield Road.