Trafford

Born on the 21st December 1922 in Ashton upon Mersey, the birth being
registered during the March quarter 1923 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/278,
the only son of Arthur & Ethel Massey (nee Hayward).

The family resided at 2 Derby Road, Sale.    He attended St. Martin's
School, Ashton on Mersey and was employed by the Lancashire Hygienic
Dairies.

1939 National Registration - 2 Derby Road, Sale.   Arthur Massey - Married
- born on the 3rd April 1885 - occ: Agricultural Labourer and a Police War
Constable.   Ethel Massey - Married - born on the 22nd February 1892 - occ:
Unpaid Domestic Duties.   There is one redacted record which is probably
George's???   Edith Massey - Single - born on the 21st July 1925 - occ:
Seeking Work, not previously employed.    Mary Massey - Single - born on
the 19th July 1916 - occ: Domestic Paid Worker.    [Edith Massey had a twin
sister - Ethel Massey, who died in infancy].   George was aged only 16 at
the time of this census, so would not have been in the armed services, so
his absence from this record is puzzling.

He enlisted in 1941 and was posted to Home duties until 1944 when his
battalion was drafted to Normandy.  Not part of the original landings, he
landed on the 29th June 1944. His first action was at Caen on the 8th July
1944.   Part of his Division's task was to capture the village of St.
Contest.  It was a hard fought action as they were up against the
first-rate 25th S.S. Panzer Grenadiers.   The reached their objective by
18.30 hrs that day with the loss of 26 men (one of whom was George), and 96
wounded.  Originally buried in a battlefield grave, later interred in the
La Deliverande War Cemetery, Douvres, France.

Death reported in the 11/08/1944 edition of the  Sale & Stretford
Guardian.