Transfers of Manchester Regiment Officers to RFC/RAF

[PhilipG]

2nd Lt. Leslie Gordon Taylor : London Rifle Brigade,  9th  Bn. Manchesters, RFC & RAF

This officer's military career began with service as an OR in the London Rifle Brigade, a regiment of some repute and the one in which Sgt. Belcher won his VC whilst with their 1/5th battalion.  Taylor went overseas in September 1915 and was later commissioned in the 9th Manchesters (Sept. 1917).

In due course, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps for aircrew duties.  In this connection, he later attended at various flying training schools, e.g. Observers School of Aerial Gunnery at Hythe in April 1918 and the School of Navigation & Bomb Dropping on the 8th July 1918.  Finally, Taylor reached No. 97 (IF) RAF squadron on the 18th of that month.

His stay with the squadron was not to be over long as the following will indicate.

On the 22nd August 1918, 2nd Lt Taylor was airborne in a Handley Page aircraft of the 0/400 type numbered B8803.  The remainder of the crew consisted of Lt. D.F.Burton and 2nd Lt. R.F.Glazebrook.  Their operation was a night bombing attack on Volpersweiler airfield and railway installations at Herzing.  Unfortunately, their aircraft was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire and subsequently crashed, the crew being made POW's.

The records indicate that on the 29th November 1918 Taylor was interned in Prison 162, having been transferred to Landshut from Karlsruhe on the 7th November.  He was repatriated on the 14th December 1918.

As to Taylor's "RAF trade", I see from the records dated March 1919 that he was a "HP Pilot".  PhilipG.

[charlie]

Philip,
As you predicted, very interesting and unusual. There cannot have been many ex Manchesters who flew 0/400s. 2/Lt Taylor must have been one of the Squadrons first losses on operations. The Sqn had moved to France earlier in the month and had only flown it's first operational sorties on the 19/20th August.

Charlie

[PhilipG]

Charlie,

 I have done some further research.   In the period 21st August - 23 August 1918, three of 97 (IF) Squadron's 0/400's (including Taylor's aircraft) carrying out night bombing raids, failed to return to base.  Crew losses numbered 8 officers and one Sergeant.   All were made POW. PhilipG.
 
 

[charlie]

Thank you Philip, the only information I have been able to find as regards the aircraft establishment for Squadrons flying 0/400s is from 1 April 1918. The establishment was for 10 aircraft, so quite an attrition rate. Do you know if there was a specific length of time or number of operations for a Tour at that time? Or was it a case of flying till someone said you had done enough?

Charlie

[PhilipG]

Charlie,

I tend to think it was a case of flying until someone or something required you to stop.  Similar arrangements seemed to apply to an organisation with which I was connected. PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

1500 Pte Russell Walmsley  :  6th & 2/8th Manchesters, RFC & RAF

This soldier enlisted in the 6th Manchesters and arrived for service in Gallipoli on 5th May 1915. Later, he served in the 2/8th battalion taking the Regimental Number 250108.  In January 1917 he was commissioned in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and later that year joined the Royal Flying Corps, joining No. 17 Training Squadron on the 3rd December1917.  In due course, he qualified as as a Flying Officer and instructor, subsequently being posted to No. 8 Training Depot Squadron just before the end of hostilities.  He left the RAF in 1919.  PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

R.Walmsley

Looking at the number of casualties listed under the two Flying Training units in which Walmsley served, I found it to number 16, which seems excessive.  However, I recall in my day we had 4 fatal crashes in the first 6 weeks of Basic Training, in one of which, during night flying, my friend (aged 18) "spun in". I suppose learning to fly is never free of risk. PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

408308 AM2 Arthur Houlgrave  :  6th Manchesters, RFC & RAF

This man enlisted in the 6th Bn. Manchester Regiment on the 11th December 1914 at the age of 32 and there is an assumption that he saw service with that battalion until, for reasons unknown, he transferred to the RFC.

He died, age 37 on the 14th November 1918.  His parents were domiciled in Accrington and no doubt this was the reason for his being buried in Accrington Cemetery.  After his death his wife was living in St. Anne's on Sea.

Unfortunately, the "Casualty Card" was destroyed in 1921, so the reason for his death is unknown, although one wonders if his death was connected with his previous army service. PhilipG.

[charlie]

Philip,
Two more Officers that I have come across:

2/Lt Charles Anderton, previously 2248 & 275008 1/7th Bn.

2/Lt Clarence Beagle, 20th Bn

Charlie

[PhilipG]

Charlie,

Many thanks.  I have put them on my list for attention. Regards, PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

2248 Private (later 2nd Lt.) Charles Anderton : 1/7th Manchesters & RAF

This soldier served in Gallipoli, arriving there on the 6th May 1915.  Later he was given a new Regimental number, namely, 275008.   Some time afterwards, he was commissioned in the Regiment and was successful in making a transfer to the Royal Air Force.

I have no details as to his duties in the RAF, e.g. whether or not he was a pilot or observer, but I presume he followed what seemed to have been the usual procedure, reporting to the RAF station in Reading for training.

I note that he applied for his medals in September 1919 when he was living in the Hulme district of Manchester.  PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

                      2nd Lt. Clarence Beagle : 20th Manchesters, RFC & RAF

This officer was formerly a representative based in London working for the Manchester firm of Rylands Ltd. and enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in August 1915.   In due course, he effected a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps for eventual training as an Observer, arriving at No. 1 School  of Aeronautics in November 1917 with onward transfer to No. 38 Training Squadron, a posting followed a few weeks later to No. 1 (Aux) School of Air Gunnery.

By early February 1918 he was sent to Italy attached to No. 14 Wing for further service with No. 34 Squadron RFC.   In June 1918, he left No.34 Squadron to fly with No. 139 Squadron RAF and it was with that squadron that I traced an operation of the 4th July 1918 in which Beagle took part when flying near Asolo.

With his pilot, Lt. H.C.W.Walters, he was airborne in a Bristol F2b aircraft No. C916.  During combat with an Albatros DIII they were successful in the destruction of this enemy aircraft.   (Interestingly, Lt. Walters made no less that 6 "victory" claims whilst he was on operations in Italy).

Lieutenant Beagle returned to the Home Establishment in September 1918 and later served at No.1 School of Aeronautics, being classified as "unfit to fly".  He finally left the service in March 1919.

He is recorded as being a recipient of the Bronze Medal (Italy).

PhilipG.

[mack]

Clarence formerly served as driver 663 Clarence beagle,2nd east riding brigade RFA,enlisting on 5th may 1909 until his termination of engagement on 4th may 1913.
he was a draper working for moss of water house lane,hull
he and his wife emigrated to Canada in 1923 and returned in 1931
resided 32 sidmouth st,hull
born 18-6-1893
he died in Eastbourne in 1970 aged 77

mack

[PhilipG]

Mack,
 Thank you.   Whilst aware of its prominent building in High Street, Manchester, I have  never really known what Rylands Ltd. specialised in, except they were something to do with textiles.  Your reference to him being a draper ties in with that presumably.  In my very early youth there was a searchlight on Rylands' roof pointing towards  Barton Aerodrome. presumably to help flyers during night flying.   PhilipG.

[PhilipG]

        No. 6433 Private Harry Scott : 16th Bn. Manchester Regt. & RFC

This soldier transferred to the Royal Flying Corps from the Manchesters taking up a new service number in the Corps of 133920.  I do not know in which capacity he would serve.   Later he was transferred to the Labour Corps and received a new number of 247786 which may suggest, perhaps, a deterioration  in his health consequent upon his service with the Manchesters.

The records state that he went overseas with the battalion on the 8th November 1915.  His name and photograph are recorded in the "Book of Honour" whilst serving in No 3 Platoon of "A" Coy. of the 16th Manchesters.   PhilipG.