Hodgson,+Alan+Heaton

Lance Corporal, 1st Bn, Gordon Highlanders. Service no: 14391326. Age: 20. Death Date: 20th February 1945. Son of John William and Maud Hodgson, of Oakworth, Keighley, Yorkshire. RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY, Plot 12. Row B. Grave 17.
 * Alan Heaton Hodgson**

(Picture of Alan by J B Mitchell, 65, Lidget, Oakworth)

Alan is mentioned on the Bogthorn Methodist Chapel Sunday School lists of Oakworth men who served in WW2.

Alan was educated at Oakworth School, Holycroft School and Keighley Technical College. When he left school he worked as a shop assistant in the Lidget Co-op stores, Oakworth. Alan's one ambition in life was to be on stage as a comedian. In the early 40's an impresario named Carroll Lewis used to tour round the provincial theatres looking for talent. The chosen ones were featured in a radio programme called Carroll Lewis' Discoveries. When it was advertised in the local paper that Carroll Lewis was coming to Keighley Theatre looking for talent, Alan applied to be considered and after an audition, was accepted to appear before Carroll Lewis. When the date was fixed for Carroll Lewis to be at Keighley Alan was sent an invitation to appear on stage before the "talent spotter". But Alan had been called up a month before and therefore could not attend. What a huge disappointment! On the very few occasions Alan came home on leave, in co-operation with one of his Oakworth friends, Allan Parker, he always put on a concert in the local assembly hall in the New School at Oakworth - These concerts were always called "Private Hodgson Entertains" (see ticket below) Alan was only 20 years old when he was killed in action - What a waste of life and a waste of talent.

Alan's sister Freda.