Glenridding and Patterdale Fallen in World War Two

The brave men whose names are engraved on the Patterdale War Memorial from World War Two are shown above, with links to their individual stories. More information on life in the Dale during the war is shown below.

Men from Patterdale and Glenridding also answered the call to arms in the Second World War. In many ways this war had an even greater impact on the lives of the people living in the Dale, with many army camps in the area, and a prisoner of war camp at Greenside Mine. According to Elizabeth Little’s Chronicles of Patterdale 78 people from the Dale served in the armed forces. Those remaining at home were also actively involved. The War Comforts Committee sent parcels and presents to service personnel every three months throughout the war. The Army requisitioned the Ullswater Hotel and used it as as a Gas School training centre - they ran intensive three week courses. There was also a army camp in the field opposite the Ullswater Hotel (where the playing field now is), and some ATS were stationed in Patterdale Hall. Artillery practice was done over the Lake from Jenkins field to Place Fell, and many of the older men who had fought in the First War, such as John Pool. Were active in the Dale’s Home Guard Unit.

The Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) ran a canteen for the Services in the Wesleyan Sunday School Hall (opposite the Ullswater Hotel) and many concerts and events were held for the benefit of locals and service personnel alike. Many of those who remember growing up in the Dale at this time have fond memories of watching films both in the village and up at the camp at Greenside.

Evacuees were sent to Patterdale from South Shields and later from the South of England when the V1 and V2 flying bomb attacks started. The Leas School took over the Glenridding Hotel ad the Parish Hall at Glenridding. Throughout the war it is recorded that only four bombs dropped in the area - one night up the Grisedale Valley near Lantys Tarn. The only known casualties were two sheep.

The Second World War was also one of the few times the cells in the Police Station in Patterdale had a occupant when a young soldier deserted, spending two days hiding out at Wall End in Hartsop. He was caught, escaped and then flagged down a car as it was driving to Penrith to ask for a lift, only to find it was being driven by the local policeman, PC Porter. He was then put into the cell at the Patterdale Police Station - an event so rare and upsetting that by all accounts the Policeman’s wife refused to sleep in the house that night!

We aim to research life in the Dale during the war more fully over the next year. In the meantime here are the stories of the brave men who lost their lives in WWII.

Tragically but perhaps unsurprisingly in such a small community there are links between the names from the First and Second World Wars, such as Thomas Henry Wall, and his nephew Henry Wall Thompson, who both gave their lives for their country and, having never met in life, and united in death, being buried side by side in St Patrick’s Churchyard Patterdale. Each of the stories is touching, but perhaps none more so than that of Thomas Hadwin, who was reported missing in April 1941 but whose death was not confirmed to his wife Margaret and their young son Roger until December 1944.

If you have any memories, stories or photos of life in the Dale during the Second World War that you’d be willing to share with us please contact us.