A BUSINESSMAN has shared his delight after seeing a photograph of his veteran grandfather for the first time.

Robert Howarth, aged 74 from Melbourne, Australia, stumbled across the photograph by chance during an unplanned visit to Radcliffe Library.

The library had just unveiled a new memorial wall, listing the names and details of soldiers who fought in the First World War.

A team of volunteers at Radcliffe Library had undertaken a two-year research project to gather information about the 642 Radcliffe soldiers who fell.

The project unearthed both a photograph and details of Robert’s grandfather — Radcliffe soldier James Ernest Howarth, who died in combat on February 19, 1916.

Robert said: “Finding this photo has left me shaking.

“It has left my sister in the same situation. She is desperate to see copies. We cannot believe it. There were more than 600 people killed in Radcliffe. We went to the cenotaph all the time. I only found out my grandfather had died when we visited and my father told us his name was listed.”

A Radcliffe Times article recording Ernest’s death reads: “HOWARTH—In loving memory of Private J Ernest Howarth, killed in action on February 19, 1916, somewhere in France.

“Some may think that we forgot you, when at times they see us smile; but they little know the sorrow that smile hides all the while.” — From his loving father and mother.

“From his brothers, Bob (in France), Fred (in Salonica) and J Howarth and family.

Private Howarth, formerly of Albert Street, Radcliffe, left behind wife Mary Ann who received official notification of his death.

Before the war, Ernest was employed at the Outwood Collier. His name is on the Congregational Church roll of honour. He had four children with Mary Ann, whom he married in 1902.

Radcliffe-born Robert said he was delighted with the findings, which he came across when he and wife Linda popped into the library to use a computer.

The motor mechanic turned international sales manager hailed the library’s pioneering work and urged other residents to make use of the research.

Rachel Hodges, family history volunteer, said: “We wanted to carry out a piece of research that enabled people to search for their family name.

“We have searched gravestones, churches, memorial walls, the old Radcliffe Times and Bury Times newspaper archives and travelled to libraries across Manchester to find the information. We went everywhere.”

Sylvia Cunningham, who launched the heritage sessions, said: “When we first started six years ago, we had 10 people every week. We now get a more manageable number. I do it for the satisfaction of helping people.

“You get really invested.”