Respects paid to Oldham war hero
Date published: 21 April 2010
The funeral will take place next week of war hero James Wrigley who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his service with Bomber Command.
Mr Wrigley (89), of Springhead, volunteered for the RAF at the start of the Second World War, and after training, began service in the Pathfinder Squadron.
The squadron flew Lancaster Bombers and was responsible for accurate target-marking over Germany using the most advanced navigation techniques.
Mr Wrigley, who died in hospital on Friday after injuring himself in a fall, served in the RAF for 20 years. He was married to Alice, his 90-year-old widow, for 67 years.
Mrs Wrigley said: “He was determined to join the RAF and was a wireless operator/gunner.
“All the aircrew were volunteers, and by the time he was 20 in 1941 he had passed all his exams, and joined the squadron.
“He saw a lot of action and it was extremely traumatic for the crews. When they went out they never knew if they were coming back.
“Bomber Command lost the highest number of men than any of the other services.”
“What made it worse was that they could hear the other aircrews going down in flames.
Mr Wrigley also trained new bomber crews in Scotland after his second tour of duty and was presented with his DFM at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh by King George VI.
Mr Wrigley, who had four children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, along with his wife, was originally from Radcliffe, but moved to Springhead when he retired in 1984, because he loved the Saddleworth area so much. He became a member of Lees and District British Legion Club and had been president and treasurer over the years.
Legion members will be at his funeral, which is expected to be on Monday at Oldham Crematorium. They will drape his coffin with their flag and lower their standards as a mark of respect.
