Soldier brothers killed on same day in Normandy honoured 80 years later

THE lives and sacrifices of two brothers killed on the same day in France during the Second World War have been remembered and honoured exactly 80 years on.

- PAUL BRITTON

Harold and Hammond Lord were just 28 and 30 respectively. Both were killed in action in Normandy 80 years ago on Friday - June 28, 1944.

The brothers served with the same regiment the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and their story is even more tragic because their father, John Lord, was killed in action in the First World War, on July 16, 1917. Their mother died before him, shortly after she gave birth to Harold, the younger brother.

Their relatives gathered at a war memorial on Friday for a small but poignant ceremony. Both men, who lived in Milnrow, were troopers with the regiment.

A short act of remembrance was held at Milnrow Memorial Park's war memorial. Harold Lord Junior - Hammond's son is now 83. He attended the service with his son, Julian Lord, 52. Both live in Whitworth, Rochdale. Hammond was Julian's grandfather and Harold his great-uncle.

The regimental standard of the Royal Tank Regiment was raised in tribute to their sacrifice, and in honour of all the men from Rochdale and the regiment who lost their lives in the war.

The brothers' names are marked on the war memorial, together with their father's name. The fact that they were brothers wasn't officially recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission - and as such their story hasn't been told before.