snippets of Manchester Regiment articles

[timberman]

PLEASE NOTE

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Thank-you
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I now have written permission to reproduce alot of the articles on this forum. The rest are covered by the statement above.

Neil (Timberman)



Audenshaw

Blue Plaque

A Tribute to

RQM's Henry Code, DCM

1869 - 1934

The blue plaque is located at his former family home, 122 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw.
 
The Early Years

John Henry Code was born on 16th February 1869. He married Elizabeth Marsden in 1896, fathering 2 girls and 2 boys. Up until 1910, the family lived at 122 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw before moving elsewhere in the local area. Employed as a carpenter for Clayton Gas Works, his employers released him to serve in annual Territorial Army camps.
Services During the War
He enlisted in the 5th (Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 15th March 1886 and was promoted to sergeant in December 1890. In 1892, John Henry Code won the 'Singleton' trophy for his sharp shooting, something that was to become a habit. In 1908 the Battalion was designated the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion. He served during the Boer War in the Imperial Yeomanry. He was promoted Colour Sergeant in December 1902, and continued his service, gaining recognition as being an excellent marksman. In June 1914, he is shown as being a joint top scorer of the Battalion along with Captain Oldfield at the Altcar Rifle Meeting.
Career and Medals Awarded
In September 1914, the Ardwick Battalion sailed to Egypt and later Gallipoli. John Henry Code was now appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant and was a constant inspiration to his comrades in the Battalion . His work at Gallipoli gained him the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It was later gazatted as: "Conspicuous gallantry, devotion to duty and continuing good services, his courage and skill has been most marked". He later went on to serve in France for the remainder of the War.
Code Junior
Like his father, Harold Code followed in his father's footsteps. He is pictured at the top of this page with John Henry at the 1909 Summer Camp in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Harold continued his service and was commissioned into the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. Unfortunately, on the 25th August 1918, Harold was killed in action on the Thiepval Ridge - he was only 21 years old.
Other Interests
After the First World War, John Henry Code left the army and rejoined his former employer, Manchester Council at Clayton Gas Works. In 1920, he founded St. Andrews Ladies Hockey Team based at Edge Lane, Droylsden, where both his daughters played for several years. John Henry retired from the Council's employment in 1934. A little over a week later, he died of natural causes on the 27th February.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

Denton

A Tribute to

Albert Hill VC

1895 - 1971   

...surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen... this conduct throughout was magnificent

The town of Denton has proud links with Albert Hill who, despite being a weak and frail child, became a great soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for his action at the Somme.
Born in 1895, Hill was one of ten children. The family lived in Hulme but in 1907 moved to Peacock Street in Denton. After schooling at the Trinity Wesleyan School, Hill started work at the Alpha Mill and then became an apprentice planker at Wilson Hat Manufacturers on Wilton Street.
 In August 1914 he was accepted for the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served in France and also in Flanders. His VC citation reports his gallantry :
'For most conspicuous bravery. On 20 July 1916, during the Somme Offensive, when 15280 Private Hill's battalion had been deployed under heavy fire, for an attack on the enemy in Delville Wood, France, the order to charge was given and he dashed forward. He met two of the enemy and bayoneted them both. Later, he was sent by his platoon sergeant, Hugh Green, to contact the enemy, and found himself cut off, being surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant of his company and helped him to fight the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer, Captain Scales, and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted to bring in the mortally wounded Officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finally, he himself captured two of the enemy and brought them in as prisoners. His conduct throughout was magnificent'.
Hill was feted on his return to Denton in October 1916. The crowds carried him on high and he received many gifts. The following month he received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Russian Cross of St George of the First Class and three campaign medals.
In February 1919, Hill returned to work at Wilson's Factory. He married Doris Wilson of Hyde on Valentine's Day the following year. They lived on High Street, Denton until 1923, when they emigrated to the United States. Hill found work as a building labourer. He tried to enlist when World War II broke out but was advised to do defence work instead.
In 1956 Hill made a brief return to England for the VC Centenary Celebrations. He died in Pawtucket in 1971 leaving a widow, three daughters and a son. He was buried with military honours at Hightown Memorial Park, Johnson, Rhode Island.
Hill Court in Wrexham is named after him and his medal is in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regimental Museum.

 With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

Droylsden

A Tribute to

James Kirk VC

1897 - 1918   

The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties'
James Kirk died tragically young and is the only one of the Tameside VC's to have been awarded the medal posthumously. His death came shortly before the end of the First World War.
 Kirk was born in Cheadle Hulme and educated in the town, and later in Stockport. On moving to Edge Lane, Droylsden he continued his education at the North Road United Methodist School at Clayton. He is remembered as being a keen and successful sportsman.
His first employment was as a clerk for Ogden and Madeleys Warehouse in Manchester but with the onset of War he joined the 2/6th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Following rigorous training in England he joined the war effort at the Dardanelles in 1915.
Kirk suffered severe frostbite resulting in hospitalisation in Cairo throughout November and December 1915. However, by January 1916 he was fit to return to active service and soon rejoined the Manchesters as a Private in the 10th Battalion.
He served in France and enjoyed returning home for Christmas in 1917. In June 1918 he was made 2nd Lieutenant and he returned to France on 8th October 1918. For his action on 4th November, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the citation reads :
 'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors, France, on 4 November 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal with wooden floats linked together. To cover the bridging of the canal Lieutenant Kirk took a Lewis Gun, and under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position until he was instantaneously wounded in the face and arm, then killed at his gun by a machine-gun bullet to the head.
The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.'
The war poet Wilfred Owen whose work features in the Museum of the Manchesters in Ashton died alongside Kirk. They were buried at the English Communal Cemetery at Ors.
Seven days after Kirk's death was Armistice Day - the end of the war. It should have been a day of rejoicing in Droylsden but people were saddened as news of the death of their local soldier reached them. A letter from Kirk's Commanding Officer to James Kirk Senior sent consolation and a tribute :
'His action was that of a true British soldier and will remain long in the memory of all who saw it.'


With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

Droylsden

A Tribute to

Arthur Herbert Procter VC
1890 - 1973

.... though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, ... dressed their wounds ... cheering them with the promise of rescue
Arthur Herbert Procter did not become associated with Tameside until after his glorious military career. He was born in Bootle and educated at Port Sunlight and Exeter. His first employment was at the Corn Exchange in Liverpool. In November 1914 Procter joined the war effort enlisting with the 1/5th Battalion, the King's (Liverpool) Regiment; Territorial Forces. His gallantry in June 1916 in saving two comrades resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads :
'For most conspicuous bravery at Ficheux, France, on 4th June 1916, 3156 Private Procter, noticing some movement on the part of two wounded men who were lying in the open in full view of the enemy at about seventy five yards in front of our trenches, went out on his own initiative, and though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, got them under cover of a small bank, dressed their wounds and after cheering them with the promise of rescue after dark, and leaving them with some of his clothing for warmth, regained our trenches again being heavily fired at. At dusk both men were brought in alive.'
 He received his Victoria Cross from King George V in France and on his return to Liverpool had a hero's welcome being paraded through the streets and given a gold watch.
In 1918 Procter married Hilda Codd in Birkenhead who bore him a son, Arthur in 1919. Procter now decided on a new vocation and practiced for the Church. He was ordained in 1927.
During the 1930's he was vicar of St Stephens Church, Bennett Street, Hyde. In the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force after which he was vicar of St Mary's Church in Droylsden.
In 1951 he moved to St Peters Church in Claybrook, Leicester and finally to Sheffield where he died in January 1973 aged eighty two.
Sheffield Cathedral houses a memorial tablet to Procter whilst his Victoria Cross is at the National Museums and Galleries of Merseyside.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

Dukinfield

A Tribute to

Andrew Moynihan VC

1831 - 1867   

'...he personally encountered and killed five Russians, and rescued from near the Redan a wounded officer, under heavy fire.'
Dukinfield has proud memories of Andrew Moynihan who came to Crescent Road as a child, his family having moved from Wakefield. He went to the Wesleyan Methodist School in Ashton and worked at Flash Hall Mills on Old Street before moving to James Ogden's Mill at Hall Green.
 Aged seventeen he joined the army enlisting in the 90th Regiment the Perthshire Volunteers who were stationed in Ashton. The following six years were spent in Ashton and in 1853 he married Ellen Parkin at Ashton Parish Church. 1854 brought the outbreak of the Crimean War, Moynihan was sent to the front and in September 1855 his gallantry merited the Victoria Cross. The citation reads :
'When a sergeant, 90th Light Infantry, at the assault on the Redan on 8th September 1855, he personally encountered and killed five Russians, and rescued from near the Redan a wounded officer, under heavy fire.'
The Redan was a heavily armoured fortress defending the entrance to Sebastopol which the British Army were assigned to attack. An initial attack failed in June 1855 but in September 1855 they made headway led by Moynihan. The Russians drove them back and wounded Lieutenant Swift. Moynihan fearlessly re-entered the building to rescue Swift and was bayoneted twice then taken captive. A renewed British attack secured Moynihan's release. Again the Russians retaliated pushing the British back to their trenches and again Moynihan helped save a wounded colleague despite his own injuries. By the end of the day he had twelve wounds.
Moynihan had a hero's welcome on his return to Dukinfield in 1856. A special reception took place at the Astley Arms and presentations to him included an inscribed watch from the local people. The following year he received his Victoria Cross from Queen Victoria. 
Moynihan later served during the Indian Mutiny and was then stationed in Ireland and Gibraltar. His final posting was to Malta in the 1860's. His rank was that of Captain and he was also musketry instructor for the island.
Tragically in 1867 Moynihan contracted 'Malta Fever' by drinking unsterilised goat's milk. He died in May aged only thirty six leaving a widow and several children. He is buried in La Braxia Cemetery.
Blue Plaque
A blue plaque to commemorate the life of Andrew Moynihan is sited on the Astley Arms, Chapel Hall, Dukinfield.


With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

A Tribute to

The Men of Tameside who served in The Crimean War

(1854 - 1856)

A Blue Plaque to Honour the Men of Tameside who served in the Crimean War is located on Alma Bridge

The Crimean War

The War began in March 1854 as quarrels began between the Russian Orthodox monks and French Catholics, over who had precedence at the holy places in Jerusalem and Nazareth. By the end of the summer the French and British had driven the Russians out of Moldavia and Wallachia. The War should have ended here but it was decided that the Russian Naval base at Sevastopol was a huge security threat upon the region. So in September 1854 the French and the British landed on the Crimean Peninsula to send their forces southwards to Sevastopol.
On their way the Russians tried to prevent them crossing the River Alma. This resulted in the first major battle being fought - The Battle of The Alma. In one of the British Army's last full dress set piece battles, 30,000 British soldiers fought side by side in the centre of a mile and a half long `thin red line` with eventually the Russians being defeated and fleeing inland.
The British and French prepared their siegework on Sevastopol and fought more battles over 1854 - 1856 before finally in 1856 Sevastopol fell and the war was brought to a conclusion by the Treaty of Paris. Reformers such as Florence Nightingale emerged. She noted after peacetime how the Army suffered a higher death rate through squalid barrack conditions.
Many local men fought and some lost their lives. It is recorded in 1911 that the Dukinfield Crimean War veterans were honoured at Dukinfield Town Hall each receiving a guinea. The photograph on the front of the leaflet shows the Dukinfield veterans outside Dukinfield Town Hall around 1900.
The History of Alma Bridge
 Alma Bridge was built by the Ashton and Dukinfield Bridge Company as a Toll Bar in 1854 at the beginning of the Crimean War to give access over the River Tame. The bridge took its name from the Battle of Alma which was fought during this period.
The tolls ceased on June 26th 1902, the Borough Surveyor of Dukinfield was alleged to have hung red, white and blue ribbons across the road in celebration. In the evening the rejoicing continued on Chapel Hill when the toll bar hut was publicly burnt and beer and meat pies were distributed to all.
The original toll bar notice and toll gates survived and can be seen on display at Portland Basin Museum in Ashton-under-Lyne. The photograph on the right shows the bridge and the toll bar hut, pictured with Joseph Sampson, the toll bar collector.
Other Crimean War Namings
Many places across Great Britain have common names deriving from the headline news at the time of their construction. In Dukinfield there is also Alma Street and Lower Alma Street and Inkerman Street in Hyde, named after another renowned battle of the Crimean War in which the 63rd Regiment, later the Manchester Regiment, distinguished themselves.

Acknowledgements

Alice Lock - Tameside Local Studies. Alan Rose -Tameside History Forum.


With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

Hyde

A Tribute to

Arthur Herbert Procter VC
1890 - 1973

He is also remembered in Droylsden

.... though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, ... dressed their wounds ... cheering them with the promise of rescue
Arthur Herbert Procter did not become associated with Tameside until after his glorious military career. He was born in Bootle and educated at Port Sunlight and Exeter. His first employment was at the Corn Exchange in Liverpool. In November 1914 Procter joined the war effort enlisting with the 1/5th Battalion, the King's (Liverpool) Regiment; Territorial Forces. His gallantry in June 1916 in saving two comrades resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads :
'For most conspicuous bravery at Ficheux, France, on 4th June 1916, 3156 Private Procter, noticing some movement on the part of two wounded men who were lying in the open in full view of the enemy at about seventy five yards in front of our trenches, went out on his own initiative, and though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, got them under cover of a small bank, dressed their wounds and after cheering them with the promise of rescue after dark, and leaving them with some of his clothing for warmth, regained our trenches again being heavily fired at. At dusk both men were brought in alive.'
 He received his Victoria Cross from King George V in France and on his return to Liverpool had a hero's welcome being paraded through the streets and given a gold watch.
In 1918 Procter married Hilda Codd in Birkenhead who bore him a son, Arthur in 1919. Procter now decided on a new vocation and practiced for the Church. He was ordained in 1927.
During the 1930's he was vicar of St Stephens Church, Bennett Street, Hyde. In the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force after which he was vicar of St Mary's Church in Droylsden.
In 1951 he moved to St Peters Church in Claybrook, Leicester and finally to Sheffield where he died in January 1973 aged eighty two.
Sheffield Cathedral houses a memorial tablet to Procter whilst his Victoria Cross is at the National Museums and Galleries of Merseyside.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman
   

[timberman]

Hyde

Tameside MBC Pays Tribute to Hyde Gallant Hero

If you go to the following link there is a short video that covers the following text.

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque/corporalkenneth

Text Version

Bugler plays "The Last Post"

Councillor Jackie Lane

It is an honour to pay tribute to Kenneth, he was the only Tameside citizen to be awarded the George Cross and that was for outstanding courage outside battle.

Captain Robert Bonner, Chairman – Museum of the Manchester Regiment

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are all here today to honour the memory of a very brave man, you will now all of you, whether you knew the details before, you will now know from reading the literature the details of the situation in which he was awarded the George Cross.
When Kenneth Horsfield, knowing all the dangers, endeavoured to save the life of a comrade and himself was killed in doing so. And now I wanted to come today unveil this plaque in his memory.
Applause

On Thursday 26th February 2009, the latest Tameside Blue Plaque was unveiled at Hyde Town Hall.
The plaque is a tribute to Corporal Kenneth Horsfield (GC). Corporal Horsfield was born in Hyde on 30th September 1920, served in the 9th Bn Manchester Regiment and was seconded to the SAS. He is the only Tameside citizen to have received the George Cross following his gallant rescue efforts that resulted in his own loss of life in Italy on 18th August 1944, aged only 23.
Kenneth grew up in Hyde and joined the Manchester Regiment in 1940 and was seconded to the SAS. However, Kenneth was involved with preparing stores to be dropped to Yugoslav Partisan resistance forces.
On the 18th August 1944, an explosion occurred at the demolition area of Military Establishment 54, Central Mediterranean Forces, killing three men and injuring three others. Corporal Horsfield who was working nearby was one of the first on the scene.
After seeing a man lying trapped inside, and although a fire was blazing he jumped into the room in an attempt to rescue the trapped man but the fire was just too fierce. He knew that a second explosion was imminent and had in fact ordered all the other men away from the building and out to safety, but continued to use an extinguisher to try to prevent the fire from reaching the trapped man.
With entire disregard for his own safety, he continued to fight the fierce blaze in an effort to save the trapped man with full knowledge of the likelihood of another fatal explosion.
At his funeral, attended by a gathering of three hundred and fifty, a choir of twenty Yugoslavs sang. Kenneth was buried in Bari War Cemetery in Italy.
Kenneth was posthumously awarded the George Cross (GC), the highest award for conspicuous courage out of battle as published in the London Gazette on 23rd March 1945. On 7th April 1945 he featured as one of ten Personalities of the Week and People in the Public Eye in the Illustrated London News.
The moving ceremony involved old comrades, Men of the Inkerman Company, 4th Bn. The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and words of thanks from Captain Robert Bonner, Chairman of the Museum of the Manchester Regiment and was attended by members of Kenneth’s family.
The plaque was unveiled by Councillor Jackie Lane, Project Head of Heritage and Tourism, Kenneth’s nephew Stephen Horsfield and Sister-in-laws, Mrs Kathleen Gray and Mrs Enid Slater.
The plaque is permanently located at 27 Croft Street Hyde, the former Horsfield family home.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

[timberman]

COLONEL HENRY L. ROCCA. V.D.


AMONG our citizen-soldiers few hold a more distinguished position than
Colonel Henry Lewis Rocca,the present commanding officer of the 5th
(Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion, the Manchester Regiment. During his long connection
with the Volunteer movement, he has taken the most active interest in its
progress and success, and it is largely due to the earnest efforts of such men that the
Volunteers are now recognized, both by the military authorities and the general public,
as a valuable branch of the auxiliary forces of the country.
Colonel Rocca, of whom a portrait appears in this number, was born at Hamburg,
Germany, in the year 1831, and, after receiving a careful education and business
training, removed to England in 1851, settling in Manchester, where, six years
later, he became a naturalized British subject. He has since remained warmly
attached to the city of his adoption, and for a considerable period was closely identified
with Manchester commerce, as the principal of a firm of merchants and shippers, but
some time ago he retired from business, and has since devoted the whole of his time to
the Volunteer and other movements. When, in 1859 and 1860, the Volunteer
force was being established on its present basis, Colonel Rocca was very desirous of
joining, but so many and pressing at the time were his commercial engagements that
he was unable to do so. He, however, took the liveliest interest in the movement, and
in fact, in all military matters, believing, as he did, that it was the duty of every good
citizen to give the State some personal service ; and so soon as he found that he had
leisure to devote to military duties, he joined the 33rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers,
which are now known as the 5th (Ardwick) V.B.M.R. When he joined the corps in the
summer of 1866, the then commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Cunliffe, offered
him a lieutenancy, which, however, he declined to accept until he had thoroughly
learned his work by drilling in the ranks. To this work he devoted himself with characteristic
energy, and, becoming efficient, he was gazetted Lieutenant on November 19th,
1866, and posted to No. 7 Company. He was put in command of No. 10 Company as Lieutenant in the spring of 1868, and was gazetted Captain on November 3rd, 1869.
When he assumed command, the Company was very weak and in a thoroughly
bad and inefficient state, and he at once took steps to place it upon a
better footing, and with such success, that by the end of the season of 1869, he had, with
the assistance of the non-commissioned officers, who readily seconded his efforts,
brought it into such a condition that it took the first efficiency prize in the battalion.
So highly did the members of the company appreciate his services and recognize
his ability, that they presented him with an illuminated address and a regulation
sword, to mark the successful result of his labours. This high state of efficiency
was maintained, and the No. 10 Company was considered the premier company of the
battalion, unti1 he vacated the command, on being promoted major, January 10th,
1877, when the company took the opportunity of again presenting him with an
appreciative address, accompanied by the gift of a pair of silver spurs.
Throughout his career as an officer, Colonel Rocca has taken the greatest
interest in the work. He has not been content to perform the duties of his position
in a perfunctory manner, but has made constant endeavour’s to increase his knowledge
of everything calculated to aid the efficiency of the force, and to add to its usefulness.
He has carefully studied his subject, and has spared no pains in making
himself master of the numerous details relating to the organization and equipment
of those under his command. When the " proficiency examination " was introduced,
he sat at the first examination held in Lancashire, and passed at the head of the
class, with the highest possible points for practical work, and obtained 247 points
out of a possible 250 in the written examination. He was also successful in passing
in the first examination in tactics held in Lancashire.
In 1880, while junior major, the subject of our notice was one of the founders (all
of whom were officers of the 33rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers), of the Manchester
Tactical Society, the first society of the kind established in this country. This
society, of which Colonel Rocca was the first president, was to some extent instrumental
in inducing the Government of that day to institute the tactical examination of the
Volunteer officers, a departure which has been attended with the most satisfactory
results, as it has had the tendency of increasing their efficiency, and consequently
has produced corresponding improvement in the ranks. The Tactical Society, which is
a private society, is entirely devoted to scientific and literary work, and some of the
results of its labours have been highly commended by the Intelligence Department of
the War Office. From this society in course of time originated the Volunteer Officers'
Association for Manchester and District, which has been of great advantage to those
for whom it was formed. In the work of both these institutions Colonel Rocca takes
an active interest, and is often engaged, either as umpire or combatant, in war
games, and in delivering lectures on subjects relating to the service.
On January 10th, 1885, Colonel Rocca was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel, and on
December 5th of the same year, he succeeded Colonel Scott in the command of the
battalion, which position he has retained up to the present time. On December 10th,
1886, after upwards of twenty years' service, he was gazetted honorary Colonel,
and, together with several other officers of his battalion, was one of the recipients of
the first issue of the Volunteer officers' decorations, which were distributed by
Major-General Julian Hall, at the Manchester Town Hall.
Colonel Rocca has throughout taken the deepest interest in everything concerning
the welfare of the battalion, and has earnestly striven to ensure its efficiency,
with the result that it is recognized by all competent to judge as one of the smartest
and best equipped in the city. Earnest and enthusiastic himself, he somehow inspires
those by whom he is surrounded with like earnestness and enthusiasm, and it is
to the esprit de corps thus fostered that the success of the battalion is chiefly due,
officers and men vieing in their emulation of their chief, who has devoted so much
time and close attention to his numerous duties.

Timberman

[timberman]

PART ONE.

The following has been transcribed from pages 298 and 299 of The Manchester Regiment Gazette. Thank-you to Captain Robert Bonner for sending them to me.

The Losses of the Manchester Regiment in the Great War.

“THE SUPREME SCRAFICE”
O Valiant Hearts, who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle
Flame,
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proud,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.

Proudly you gathered rank on rank to war,
As who had heard Gods message from afar;
All you had hoped for, all you had you gave
To save mankind-yourself you scorned to save.

Splendid you pass, the great surrender made,
Into the light that nevermore shall fade
Deep your contentment in the blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet call of God.
                                              J. S. Arkwright


  No British unit emerged from the Great War with greater honour than the Manchester Regiment. The glorious traditions of the Regiment were upheld on countless battle-fields, and fresh laurels gained, not only by the regular Battalions but by all the large number of Battalions that were raised during the war.
  On every front and on practically every battlefield some units or other of the Manchester Regiment was gallantly fighting and adding to the glory and lustre of our Regiment history.
   What a price the Regiment had to pay and what sacrifices to make is now revealed in the official book just published by the War Office,
 “Soldiers died in the Great War, 1914-19” Part 59, “The Manchester Regiment.”
    The total losses of rank and file for the Manchester Regiment printed in this book show a total of 13,359.
    The individual losses per Battalion are as follows:-

1st Battalion 868
2nd Battalion 1,095
3rd Battalion 82
4th Battalion 21
11th Battalion 681
12th Battalion 1,002
13th Battalion 117
14th Battalion 6
16th Battalion 631
17th Battalion 679
18th Battalion 664
19th Battalion 561
20th Battalion 666
21st Battalion 698
22nd Battalion 633
23rd Battalion 281
24th Battalion 161
25th Reserve 9
26th Reserve 7
27th Reserve 7
Depot 17
1/5th Battalion 475
2/5th Battalion 248
5th Reserve 13
1/6th Battalion 617
2/6th Battalion 259
6th Reserve 7
1/7th Battalion 548
2/7th Battalion 323
7th Reserve 3
1/8th Battalion 544
2/8th Battalion 125
8th Reserve 32
9th Battalion 134
1/9th Battalion 275
2/9th Battalion 231
9th Reserve 5
1/10th Battalion 447
2/10th Battalion 120
10th Reserve 10
196th T. F. Depot 1
198th T. F. Depot 1
1st Garrison Battalion 22
2nd Garrison Battalion 3
51st Battalion 11
52nd Battalion 14
53rd Battalion 5

From the above it will be seen that some of the hardest fighting fell to the lot of the 1st, 2nd and the 12th Battalions. I believe during the summer of 1917 the Regiment had at one time 26 Battalions in the firing line. These Battalions were 1st, 2nd, 1/5th, 1/6th, 1/7th, 1/8th, 1/9th, 1/10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/9th and 2/10th.

Timberman

[timberman]

PART TWO

The following has been transcribed from page 299 of The Manchester Regiment Gazette. Thank-you to Captain Robert Bonner for sending them to me.

The following are some of the engagements in which Battalions lost Heavily:-

FRANCE AND FLANDERS

1914

2nd Bn  Retreat from Mons, Le Cateau (Aug 26th )
1st Bn  Givenchy (Dec 20th -21st )

1915

1st Bn  2nd Battle of Yres April 26th

1916

2nd Bn  Leipzig Redoubt, Thiepval (July 1st ) and Ovillers (July 9th )
12th Bn Contalmaison (July 5th – 11th )
16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 2oth Bn Trones Wood (July 9th)
21st, and 22nd Bn, Danzig Alley (July 1st)
24th Bn Bazentin-le-petit Wood (July 14th)
19th Bn Guillemont (July 23rd)
17th, 18th, and 20th Bns, Guillemont (July30th)
20th Bn Ginchy (Sept. 3rd)
2nd Bn Grandcourt (Nov 17th-20th)

1917

2nd Bn, Selency (April 2nd)
18th Bn Arras (July 9th)
16th and 17th Bns, Sanctuary Wood and Menin Road and Ypres-Roulers Railway (Oct)

1918

10th Bn, Goniecourt (March)
12th Bn , Rocquigny (March)
16th Bn, Savy and Ham (March)
2/6th Bn, Herbecourt.
12th Bn, Neuvilly (Oct 12th)
5th Bn, Selle River (Oct 20th-23rd)

SALONICA

13TH Bn, 1916, 1917 and 1918.

MESOPOTAMIA

1ST Bn,  Dujailah Reboubt (March 1916) El Hannah (April 1916) Kut (1917)

GALLIPOLI

1/5th, 1/6th, 1/7th and 1/8th, Third battle of Krithia (June 1915) Achi  Baba Mullah, Krithia Vineyards (Aug 1915)
1/9th and 1/10th Bn, Krithia (June 1915)
11th Bn, Sulva Hill 10 landing, Scimitar Hill, Sari Bari, Tronail Oglu Tepe, Kruhuk Anafarta.

It is naturally impossible to give a full account of all the actions various Battalions were engaged in at one time or another, but the above list includes most of the important engagements and shows plainly that wherever there was heavy fighting one or other of the Battalions of the Manchester Regiment was engaged. What a glorious record it makes and what a heritage to hand on to those who follow.

 “ It is the history of Regiments, it is their pride and their traditions which make it formidable in the field and when numbers alone will not prevail, they give the regiment its glory and its confidence.”  

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The following item is reproduced here with thanks to Captain Robert Bonner and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Regimental Life of the Month April 2010

Since 1756 hundreds of thousands of men, women and children have had life changing experiences with the Manchester Regiment or its forebears. Each month this on-line feature will tell the story of a person’s experiences with the Manchester Regiment.
We hope that anyone undertaking their own research will consider writing a small piece for this new on-line feature. If you are interested in submitting a brief biography of a man, woman or child for the ‘Regimental Life of the Month’ feature please contact the Museum’s Curator.

George William Holmes

 George William Holmes was born at Great Longstone, Derbyshire in September of 1887 the second son of George and Annie Eliza Holmes. His mother brought up the children alone as her husband (a Carter and Farmer) had been killed by a horse at Matlock Flour Mill in 1896. By 1915 George, mother Annie and sister Florence had moved to 6 Neale Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. At the age of 28 years and 3 months, George enlisted in the army on the 9th of December 1915 for the duration of the war. His “Soldier’s Little Book” of regulations described him as a Private (31435) in the 25th Reserve Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. His medical record stated that he was 5 feet 9 inches tall with a chest girth of 36 inches fully expanded and with brown hair but without other distinguishing marks. His mother was named as his next of kin.
He underwent basic training and on the 8thof April 1916 George embarked on the  ferry ‘Princess Victoria’ arriving at the great base of Etaples the next day. On the 18th of April he was listed as “in the field”. In letters to his elder brother Arthur dated the 9th and 29th of May 1916 when in “C” Company of the 18th Manchester’s 2nd Trenching Battalion he wrote of the poor weather conditions and that from time to time he was obliged to sleep in wet clothes but expressed his pleasure at receiving news of home.
He took part in the “big push” of the 1st of July 1916 as a member of the Reserve Battalion that helped capture Montauban. By the 8th of July George acted as the personal messenger (“runner”) for Captain W.F. Routley of “A” Company, the 18th Manchester’s and was with him throughout the actions of Trones Wood.
 In his last letter of 29th of July he told the family not to worry, he was contented with his decision to join the army and was resigned to his lot. The next day George in “A” Company was in the forefront of the disastrous attack on Guillemont. Routley and George Holmes reached the village but were both later posted as missing.
Routley was captured and survived the war but George was never seen again and assumed killed probably near to the village church. His name is listed with 73,000 others on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing on the Somme.
In 1919 Major Routley wrote to his mother paying glowing tribute to George’s courage and expressing great admiration for his bravery as a soldier. His mother received George’s Victory Medal on the 7th May 1920 but this must have been scant recompense for the loss of her son.
By Dr John M Armstrong

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/lotm

Timberman

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The following item is reproduced here with thanks to Captain Robert Bonner and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Regimental Life of the Month October 2009


Joseph Black

 Early Life
Joseph was the only son of Joseph and Elizabeth Black of 64 Barmouth Street, Bradford, Manchester. Before enlisting, Joseph worked in Bradford as a warehouseman.
Service Life
Private Joseph Black (31202) served with ‘C’ Company, 12th Battalion the Manchester Regiment, having enlisted in Manchester. For his service in the army, Joseph was awarded the Allied Victory Medal and British War Medal. Joseph’s medals can be seen in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.
We Shall Remember Him
Joseph was posted missing in action and presumed dead on 4 August 1916, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France (Grave Memorial Reference – Pier and Face 13A and 14 C). His Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in the Ladysmith Gallery memorial cabinet drawer 3.
  
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/lotm/josephblack

Timberman

[timberman]

The following item is reproduced here with thanks to Captain Robert Bonner and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Regimental Life of the Month   February 2010

Thomas Fanahan Finn

 Tom was born in Mitchelstown, County Cork in June 1915, and educated at the Christian Brothers School there. He was the son of Ned and Kathleen Finn, and had an elder sister Maureen. His father, a publican, died when Tom was only two years old. Kathleen married again, and produced two more daughters and a son.
Corporal Tom Finn voluntarily enlisted with the Manchester Regiment at Ashton-under-Lyne in November 1934. He served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt, Palestine and Singapore as a signaller, and was known for his skills in welterweight boxing and hockey.
In February 1942, Tom was captured as a Japanese Prisoner of War in Singapore and held captive for three and a half years. He mostly worked in the anti malarial & anti epidemic working parties in a number of camps in Thailand. In June 1944, he survived two ‘hell ship’ journeys to Japan, and worked in Osaka and Naoetsu. Tom’s captivity ended when the Americans dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After being brought home via Canada, Tom met his future wife Ethel at The Dale Barracks in Chester. They married in September 1946, lived on the Grange Estate, and had five children - three boys and two girls.
Tom trained as a teacher, and taught at primary schools in Droylsden and Timperley until he took early retirement from ill health in 1974. He died aged 85 in 2000.
By Mrs Kit Clay (Tom’s Daughter).

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/lotm/thomasfinn

Timberman

[timberman]

The following item is reproduced here with thanks to Captain Robert Bonner and the Museum of the Manchester Regiment.

Regimental Life of the Month December 2009

Harry Greenwood

 Early Life
Harry was born in Oldham, Lancashire. He was the son of John and Harriet Greenwood. John was a collier before the war.
Service Life
Private Harry Greenwood (33990) enlisted in Oldham and served with the 12th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. For his service in the army, Harry was awarded the Allied Victory Medal and British War Medal. Harry’s medals can be seen in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment. Other material relating to Harry Greenwood can be seen in Tameside Local Studies and Archives Centre.
We Shall Remember Him
Harry died of wounds on 4 September 1918, aged 33. He is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery, France (Grave/Memorial Reference – III.F.20). His Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is on display in the Museum of the Manchester Regiment in the Ladysmith Gallery memorial cabinet drawer 1.
   
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom/lotm/harrygreenwood

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