James Kelly was born c1918 in Ireland, to Catherine Kelly, father unknown. She married Matthew Golden.

James served in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve as a sergeant with 78 Squadron. In 1940 they were based at R.A.F. Dishforth near Ripon in North Yorkshire. He was pronounced missing, killed in action, 15 September 1940 (Battle of Britain Day). He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.

Report in the Shipley Times 9 October 1940: -

FATE OF SALTAIRE AIRMAN

Sergeant James Kelly (R.A.F.), of 22 Constance Street, Saltaire. is reported missing following an operational flight.

Sergeant Kelly is native of County Clare and joined the R.A.F. in September of last year.

Before the war he worked at Lea Farm. Cottingley. is well known in physical culture circles in the Shipley district.

He has been missing since 15 September, when the aircraft of which he was wireless operator and machine gunner failed to return from operational flight.

 

George Kirton was born, 22 November 1916, in Bradford, to George snr. & Viva Stewart. In 1921 they were living at 11 Mason Court, Bradford with both parents out of work; George snr was a dyer’s labourer and Viva, a mill hand.

In the 1939 Register, George was a lino & carpet fitter living with his parents at 12 Lofthouse, Bradford. George married May Brown in 1940. She was a worsted spinner, born 10 June 1918. She lived with her parents at 17 Wycliffe Road, Shipley. They had a daughter, Sandra, born in 1947.

George served his country in WW2.

Report in the Shipley Times 18 November 1942: -

Driver, George Kirton, husband of Mrs. M. Kirton., 17 Wycliffe Road, Shipley, has been serving with the Royal Artillery for nearly three years, of which he has been 2 ½ years overseas. Before joining the Army he was employed by Holdsworth of Bradford.

By 1945 George & May had their own house at 22 Amelia Street, Saltaire. In 1949 they were at 7 Amelia Street. From 1950 to after 1960 they were living at 10 Pasture Road, Baildon.

In June 1956 they were granted planning permission to build a garage at 10 Pasture Road.

George died in 1988, May in 1992.