Clifford Heppenstall (1919-2008) [4692638, Private, Durham Light Infantry]

[Dave Pattern]

• born 6 March 1919 at Meltham (Q1 1919 Huddersfield)
• son of Albert Shaw Heppenstall & Ada (née Armstrong)
• baptised 4 May 1919 at St. Bartholomew, Meltham
• married Muriel Mellor in 1945
• died 7 December 2008

Records:

• 1921 Census (FindMyPast) – 10 Town Gate, Upperthong (father ” woollen teaser”)
• 1939 Register (FindMyPast) – 53 Vickermans Buildings Thongsbridge

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Huddersfield Examiner (20/Jul/1940):

THONGSBRIDGE CRICKETER

Private Clifford Heppenstall, of 53, Vickerman’s Row, Thongsbridge, is reported missing “by his unit only.” Private Heppenstall, who is twenty-one years of age, is well known as a cricketer in the Huddersfield and District League. For two seasons he had been the opening batsman for Thongsbridge, and had been a consistent run-getter.

He joined up with the militia in October, 1939, and went out to France with the Durham Light Infantry in April this year. He was educated as a boy at Netherthong Council School, and he is a member of the Netherthong Wesley Church. He was formerly employed as a twister-in at Lower Mills, Holmfirth, the works of Messrs. H. and S. Butterworth.

Huddersfield Examiner (27/Jul/1940):

NEWS OF OTHER MEN

Pte. Clifford Heppenstall, of 53, Vickerman’s Row, Thongsbridge, is well known as a cricketer in the Huddersfield and District League. For two seasons he has been the opening batsman for Thongsbridge. He was in the Durham Light Infantry. Before the war he was employed at Lower Mills, Holmfirth, the works of Messrs. H. S. Butterworth. He is a member of Netherthong Wesley Church. He is reported missing “by his unit only.”

Huddersfield Examiner (03/Aug/1940):

Now Reported Prisoner

News has been received from the War Office by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Heppenstall, of 53, Vickerman’s Road, Thongsbridge, that their son, Pte. Clifford Heppenstall, is a prisoner of war in Germany. He was reported missing “by his unit only” some weeks ago.

Pte. Heppenstall is well known as a cricketer in the Huddersfield and District League, and for two seasons was the opening batsman for Thongsbridge. Before the war he was employed at the works of Messrs. H. and S. Butterworth, Lower Mills, Holmfirth.

Huddersfield Examiner (07/Sep/1940):

NEWS FROM GERMANY.

Mr and Mrs. Heppenstall, of Vickerman’s Buildings, Thongsbridge, have received a number of communications from their son, Private Clifford Heppenstall, who, as already reported in the “Examiner,” is a prisoner of war in Germany. During the last few days they have received no fewer than six postcards and a letter. In each of these Private Heppenstall states that he is in good health and that a number of his friends in his regiment, the Durham Light Infantry, are in the same camp.

Huddersfield Examiner (12/May/1945):

BACK HOME FROM PRISON CAMPS

Cricketer-Prisoner Liberated

Pte. Clifford Heppenstall, son of Mr. and Mrs. Heppenstall, 53 Vickerman’s Road, Thongsbridge, who was taken prisoner in 1940, has been liberated, and is now in England.  At the present time he is in hospital at Wolverhampton.

Pte. Heppenstall is a well-known local cricketer, and was opening batsman for the Thongsbridge Club for two seasons. Before the war he worked at Messrs. H. and S. Butterworth, Lower Mills, Holmfirth.

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