Trafford

Born on the 28th April 1909, the birth being registered during the June
quarter 1909 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: - 8a/178, the son of Peter Sanders
& Esther Helen (nee Rustage).   Baptised at St. Elizabeth's P.C. Ashley,
Cheshire on the 30th May 1909.  The family was residing at Hough Green and
his father's occupation given as Farm Labourer.

1911 Census - Hough Green Ashley.    Son - aged: 1 - born: Ashley,
Cheshire.    Head of household - Peter Sanders - Married - aged: 28 - occ:
Horseman on Farm - born: Pickmere, Cheshire.   Also - Esther Ellen Sanders
- Wife - aged: 24 - born: Tabley, Cheshire.   Plus 1 younger sister.

1921 Census - Clay Monger Lodge, Mere, Cheshire.    Son - aged: 12 -
Scholar - born: Ashley, Cheshire.   Head of hpousehold - Peter Sanders -
Married - aged: 38 - occ: Teamsman employed by Walter Dean, Old Hall Farm,
Tabley, Cheshire - born: Pickmere, Cheshire.   Also - Esther Ellen Sanders
- Wife - aged: 35 - born: Tabley, Cheshire.    Plus 1 younger sister.

Married Gladys Appleton during the December quarter 1937 in the Northwich
R.D. - ref: 8a/644.

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. 

Aed 32, Peter was killed at 43 Moss Lane, Altrincham.   His CWD Ref No. 11
states that he was buried by Masonry and that his body was fully dressed
when eventually found at 13.00 hrs on the 25th December 1940.   His body
was taken to A.B. Brookes & Son's Mortuary, Stamford New Road, Altrincham
and identified by his father, Peter Sanders, Mere Heath Lane, Mere,
Cheshire.   Peter was buried in Altrincham (Hale) Cemetery.   His wife -
Gladys and young son, Kenneth was also killed in this incident.    Buried
30/12/1940 - Burial No. 10,776.

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

Although not individually named, Peter 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. Son of Peter Sanders, of Mere Heath Lane, Mere,
Knutsford; husband of Gladys Sanders. Died at 43 Moss Lane.

Probate - Administration granted at Manchester on the 29th September 1941
to Edna May Appleton - Attorney of Gldays Sanders.   Estate valued at
£270. 0s. 11d.