Trafford

Born Gladys Appleton on the 29th November 1913, the birth being registered
during the December quarter 1913 in the Northwich R.D. - ref: 8a/465 the
daughter of George & Martha Appleton (nee Hodgkinson).

1921 Census - Back Lane, Plumley, Cheshire.   Daughter - aged: 7 - Scholar
- born: Allostock, Cheshire.   Head of household - George Appleton -
Married - aged: 36 - occ: Farmer - born: Tarporley, Cheshire.   Also -
Martha Appleton - Wife - aged: 38 - born: Allostock, Cheshire.   Plus 1
younger brother and 1 farm servant.

Married Peter Sanders during the December quarter 1937 in the Northwich
R.D. - ref: 8a/644.  Her husband and 2 year old son were also killed in
this incident.

1939 National Registration - 43 Moss Lane, Altrincham.   Peter Sanders -
Married - born: 28th April 1909 - occ: Nurseryman.   Gladys Sanders -
Married - born: 29th November 1913 - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.  Kenneth
Sanders - Single - born: 7th December 1938 - Under School Age.

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. 

CWD Ref No. 12 - Buried by Masonry - Body (fully dressed) found at 1300hrs,
25/12/1940 - Taken to A.B. Brookes & Son's Mortuary, Stamford New Road,
Altrincham - Identified by her father-in-Law, Peter Sanders, Mere Heath
Lane, Mere, Cheshire.    Buried with her husband and young son in
Altrincham (Hale) Cemetery.    Buried 30/12/1940 - Burial No. 10,777.

M.I. - "In death, they were not divided".

Although not individually named, Gladys is one of the 12 local residents
killed at this site and around the corner on Oakfield Road 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 - of 43 Moss Lane. Wife of Peter Sanders. Died at 43 Moss Lane.

Probate - Administration granted at Manchester on the 23rd July 1941 to
Edna May Appleton, Attorney of George Stanley Appleton (her brother)..  
Estate valued at £457. 8s. 0d.