Christ Church War Memorial Ashton under Lyne

[Meg]

Hello everyone, I am researching the names of the WW2 dead commemorated on the war memorial inside Christ Church Ashton under Lyne. Amongst the names are two from the 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment so I have been checking here for any extra information to add to my research. The men are: 3530087 ROGERS Aaron who died as a POW on 1 Jul 1943. I see he was a one of 'H' force. Was this a label given once the men were incarcerated?
The other is 352605 AXON John - he died on 29 May 1943 part of 'F'Force. I am just checking facts here as, according to other sources, the Manchester Regiment didn't arrive until Aug 1943.
Thanks Meg Gain