Laurence Oldham

Laurence Oldham was born on 25th February 1923, in Burgh near Aylsham to parents Lavinia and John Oldham. He had two brothers, Frederick and Roy, and a sister, Doreen. He grew up in Cheshire where he attended Godley St John’s School in Hyde. He left school at fourteen and joined William Chadwick and Sons accountancy firm. During WWII Laurence served with the Royal Armoured Corps. He spent time in Egypt, India and Burma. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer. After the war, Laurence became Accounts Manager at Robert McArd and Co Ltd in Denton. He qualified as a Chartered Secretary. He went on to become Director and Secretary of the Ford Car Agency in Hyde. He continued to work as an accountant until he retired in 1987. Laurence married Mary in 1950 and they had two children, Howard and Brenda. In 1984 they moved Stockport. They were involved with the local Community Theatre, where Laurence made the sets. Laurence became treasurer of the Hyde Probus Club. When Mary developed dementia, Laurence took on the role of carer, looking after his wife for several years. He spent his final years living in Suffolk with Brenda and her family , until his death on 18th October 2019.