Ralph Ackerley

This story is shared with the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

Ralph Ackerley, the son of Thomas and Edith (Ada) Ackerley (née Cliff), was born on the 3rd of January 1913 and baptised on the 2nd of February 1913 in the Parish Church of St. Wenefrede, Bickley, Cheshire.

The couple had 3 children before Ralph was born in 1913, and on the baptism of each child the mother’s christian name differed between Edith & Ada, the vicar himself correcting the name from Ada to Edith on Ralph’s sister, Doris’ baptism entry.

We see the young family on the 1911 census, when they were living at Bickley, Malpas, Cheshire. John Ackerley, 31, is head of the household and was a Farm Labourer born in Macefen, Malpas, Cheshire. Edith Ackerley, 28, had been born in Grindley Brook, Whitchurch and she tells us that 3 children had been born to them. They were John Ackerley, 3, Doris Ackerley, 2 and Thomas Ackerley, 2 months.

The next time we see the family is on the 1921 census which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, and they were now living at Bickley Brook, Malpas, Cheshire. John Ackerley was a Waggoner for Mr. E. Blake, Cross Lanes Farm, Bickley. Edith Ackerley, 38 was doing ‘Home Duties'.

The 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939, sees the family still living at Bickley Brook, Bickley Moss, Cheshire. Ralph Ackerley was single and was working as a Milk & Cheese Lorry Driver. Ralph's wife to be, Florence Alice Cureton, was living with her family at 5, Crewe Road, Alsager, Cheshire according to the 1939 National Register. Florence's father had been working as a Dairyman, but was now a full time ARP warden, and her mother was a milk retailer. This may have been how Ralph and Florence met.

Sadly, I have no information on Ralph Ackerely, in his early or teen years. Ralph was to enlist on the 20th of June 1940 as a Guardsman in the Scots Guards and he and Frances got married in Stoke on Trent on the 19 October 1942.  His service record tells us that he was 5ft 10.5in tall, had blue eyes and brown hair and weighed 11.8 stones. He was to spend the next 4 years at ‘Home’, serving as a motor lorry driver. On the 20 July Ralph landed in Normandy with the 3rd (Tank) Battalion.

The British Army Casualty List states that Ralph was killed in action on the 6th of August 1944. The CWGC Graves Concentration Report Form tells us that Ralph was initially buried near Estry and then, on the 31st of May 1946, he was reburied in St. Charles De Percy War Cemetery where he now lies.

After Ralph’s death, Frances went on to marry Robert D. Baxter in the December quarter of 1947.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Ralph Ackerley. If you are aware of one, or you are related to Ralph, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.