Remembering Oldham war hero John 100 years on

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

It is also one hundred years ago since Stalybridge-based Michael Duffy’s grandfather, Oldhamer John James Duffy, lost his life in the ‘Great War’.

John is remembered on the war memorial in Oldham town centre and is buried in the British Military Cemetery at Thessaloniki, Greece.

Now Michael is bringing his grandfather’s story back to life in the hope that local relatives who may not know where John is resting, can now hear more about what happened to him all those years ago.

Michael told us: “Although my two brothers and I grew up knowing that our grandfather’s name was on the War Memorial in Oldham, that was all we knew about him.

“My father was only seven years old when my grandfather passed away and he never spoke about him to me or my brothers.

“It was only when my father passed away that I found a photograph of him with my grandmother and his two sisters that was taken after my grandfather died.

“It shows my grandmother wearing my grandfather’s cap badge pinned to her dress.

“It is the insignia of his regiment, the Kings Own Lancaster Regiment.

“A memorial plaque was issued after the war to the next-of-kin of all British and Empire service personnel who were killed as a result of the war.

“The last time I saw my grandfather’s it was in the possession of my late cousin, Melvyn Flint, who used to clean it at my grandmother’s house when he was a child.

“He later emigrated to America, and used to have it on display at his home in South Carolina, but since he died it seems to be lost.

“A few years ago I did some research regarding my grandfather and along with my wife and some friends, have been to visit the cemetery in Greece on two occasions.

“It is a very well kept cemetery, looked after by the War Graves Commission, and on the two occasions that I have been there, they have been doing renovating work on the graves and headstones.

“I still have relatives in the Oldham area who may or may not know the details of my grandfather’s resting place.

“Unfortunately, I’m not in touch with any of them anymore, so maybe bringing this story up again in the Chronicle will help.”

Michael can be contacted via email: mjduffy47@gmail.com

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