Walks tells stories of Barrow Second World War deaths

Local historian Rod White is leading three walks in Barrow cemetery to tell some of the stories behind the stones.

Some of the headstones are in white Portland stone for members of the armed services given official recognition by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Others are war-related deaths recorded on family headstones.

Victims of the war who are buried at Barrow cemetery include those killed in flying accidents, shipping attacks, air raids and the ‘Barrow Blitz’.

Among those to feature in the walks is John Corlett who died on May 24 in 1941 when the armoured battle cruiser HMS Hood was blown up by German naval shells.

The walks are being held on Sunday, July 24 at 2pm, Wednesday, July 27 at 6pm and Sunday, July 31 at 11am.

Walkers should meet at the old cemetery offices on Devonshire Road, Barrow.

The walks take around two hours and include some up-hill sections.

Don’t forget to wear stout footwear and have rain gear handy.

The walks are free, but donations are welcome and will be split between the self-harm awareness group SAFA Cumbria and the Royal British Legion.

Mr White’s project has been supported by Barrow Borough Council for printing the literature and by Cumbria County Council Records Office and the Barrow Cemetery staff.

Close to 80 people died in raids during what became known as the Barrow Blitz in April and May of 1941.

Wartime censorship meant that little was recorded in newspapers to show that the deaths – sometimes of husband, wife and children – were due to the bombing.

A couple of lines on a headstone helps tell their story, such as one simple plaque which reads: “In loving memory of William Allison Hudson and his wife Mary, killed by enemy action, 4th May, 1941.”

Others commemorated at Barrow cemetery died at sea, such as Christopher Fagan, aged 33, who was on liner Orama which had been converted to a troopship and was sunk by the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper in June 1940.