Ashworth, Roland - Flight Sergeant

(No soldier photo available)

609 Squadron Royal Air Force
Died 29th July 1944
Age 25  

Flight Sergeant Roland Ashworth was the pilot of a rocket-firing Typhoon on 2 Tactical Air Force based at Martragny Airfield, Normandy, France.  On 29th July he was acting in support of the British troops south of Caen as they advanced towards Falaise.  His aircraft met German "Flak" (anti-aircraft fire) and fighters over the village of L'Aigle.  He was later presumed shot down and was reported missing. 

His death was confirmed only in May 1945. Roland was the younger son of Alfred and Maggie Ashworth He was 25.  After leaving Haslingden Grammar School he worked in the office of Messrs. Porritt and Spencer Ltd at their woollen mill in Stubbins. Roland's father was formerly the manager of the District Bank in Deardengate before he was transferred to Colne branch in 1936.  Roland's name is on the Runneymede Memorial, Surrey.  The Memorial overlooks the River Thames at Englefield Green, between Windsor and Egham.  It commemorates over 20,000 airmen who were lost in the 1939-1945 War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and northwest Europe and have no known grave. Roland is named on Panel 215.