20th (Service) (5th City Pals) Battalion.
Raised at Manchester on the 8th November 1914 by the Lord Mayor & City sponsors.
The battalion moved to Morecambe in April 1915 and then on to Grantham as part of the 91st Brigade, 30th Division on the 10th August 1915 The battalion was taken over by the War Office in September 1915 to they moved to Larkhill early in November 1915
The battalion landed at Boulogne on the 20th December 1915. The 91st Brigade was transferred to the 7th Division,
Later the battalion was transfered to the 22nd Brigade, 7th Division, when in November 1917 the battalion was moved to Italy.
On the 13th September 1918 the battalion left the 7th Division and returned to France joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division at Canchy on 16th September.
On the 11th November 1918. the 7th Brigade, 25th Division was in France in the Landrecies area.
20th Battalion Diary Courtesy of Jim Morris
DATE EVENTS, KIA From CWGC RECORDS
December 1914 Morecambe training
4 May 1915 Grantham training
7 Sep 1915 Salisbury Plain Training Larkhill Camp
9 Nov 1915 Left Larkhill
10 Nov 1915 March through Boulogne. Entrain to Pont Remy
11 Nov 1915 From Pont Remy to Bouchon and Mouflers
12 Nov 1915 Training at Mouflers
13 Nov 1915 Training at Mouflers
14 Nov 1915 Training at Mouflers
15 Nov 1915 Training at Mouflers
16 Nov 1915 Training at Mouflers
17 Nov 1915 To Flixecourt Belloy and Vaux-en-Amienois
18 Nov 1915 To Bertangles, Coisy and Molliens-au-Bois
19 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
20 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
21 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
22 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
23Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
24 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
25 Nov 1915 Molliens-au-Bois in billets
26 Nov 1915 To Pierregot, Rubempre and Puchevillers, in billets
27 Nov 1915 To Raincheval and Couin, under canvas.
28 Nov 1915 To Coigneux, Sailly and Hebuterne for trench training.
29 Nov1915 Training in trenches.
30 Nov 1915 Training in trenches.
1 Dec 1915 Training in trenches.
2 Dec 1915 Training in trenches.
3 Dec 1915 Training in trenches.
4 Dec 1915 To Sailly, Coigneux and Couin, under canvas
5 Dec 1915 Couin under canvas.
6 Dec 1915 To Authie, Sarton, Doullens and Boisbergues, in billets.
7 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
8 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
9 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
10 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
11 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
12 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
13 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
14 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
15 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
16 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
17 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
18 Dec 1915 Boisbergues, in billets.
19 Dec 1915 To Autheux, Fienvillers, St-Leger-les-Domart and Berteaucourt, in billets.
20 Dec 1915 To Flixecourt, Bourdon, Hangest, Riencourt and Molliens Vidame, in billets.
21 Dec 1915 to 11 Jan 1916 Molliens Vidame, in billets.
12 Jan Molliens Vidame billets. One man killed by accident CURVIS TOM WILLIAM 17865
13-29 Jan Molliens Vidame, in billets.
30 Jan To Oissy, Cavillon, Picquigny, La Chaussee and St Vast-en-Chaussee, in billets.
31 Jan To Vaux en Amienois, Bertangles, Coisy, Allonville, Querrieux, Pont Noyelles, in billets.
1 Feb To Bonnay, Mericourt, Treux and Morlancourt, in
2 Feb To Reserve Dugouts Fricourt-Bray road. CARRUTHERS J 17039
3 Feb Reserve Dugouts Fricourt-Bray road 1w
4 Feb ditto
5 Feb ditto
6 Feb Returned to Morlancourt, 3W 2 KILLED KELLY P 26107, MORROW A 17706
7-13 Feb Morlancourt, In billets
14 Feb Returned to front line Fricourt
15 Feb Front line Fricourt 3W
16 Feb Ditto
17 Feb Ditto
18 Feb Moved to reserve dugouts
19 Feb Reserve dugouts D coy Morlancourt
20 Feb Ditto
21 Feb Ditto
22 Feb Returned to Morlancourt 1W 2 KILLED LAITHWAITE Lt.John,WOODS Herbert Bailey 18365
23-26 Feb Morlancourt, in billets
27 Feb A coy to reserve dugouts 1/KILLED DUNN Simon 17340
28 Feb Moved to front line Fricourt
29 Feb Front line Fricourt
1 Mar Ditto 3W
2 Mar Ditto
3 Mar Ditto
4 Mar Ditto
5 Mar Ditto C and D coy to Morlancourt
6 Mar Ditto. Lt Col Lewis took command
7 Mar Ditto
8 Mar Ditto. I officer and 70 OR to Gibralter on mining fatigue. A and B to Morlancourt
9-10 Mar Morlancourt, in billets.
11 Mar To front line, C2 sector 1W 1/KILLED JOHNSON ARTHUR, 17391
12 Mar Ditto 1W
13 Mar Ditto 1W
14 Mar Ditto 2W 2/KILLED MILLINGTON FRED WALLWORK 17977 MOWATT WILLIAM 18397
15 Mar Ditto I/KILLED FALLOWFIELD Herbert 17885
16 Mar Ditto 1W
17 Mar Relieved, returned to Morlancourt
18-22 Mar Morlancourt, in billets.
23 Mar Front line C2 sector. C coy 71 North
24 Mar Ditto
25 Mar 10.30 am enemy shelled CRAWLEY RIDGE and NEW CUT. 2 HE shells on F.9.4 section.
Enemy artillery active between 6.30 and 7.0 pm chiefly with H.E on neighbourhood of
CRAWLEY RIDGE. Four of our mines exploded at 6.30 pm opposite F.10.6 and the right of F.9.1
Followed by vigorous action on both sides with field guns, TM, rifle grenades and occasional
howitzers till 7.0pm. 4 O.R killed. 1 O.R wounded 4/KILLED
FIRTH ArthuR 17621, FOULKES John 17627, BAYES A ,17554 DIXON G 18172
26 Mar Ditto 1W
27 Mar Ditto 3W PYBUS BERTRAM 17465
28 Mar Ditto 2W
29 Mar Returned to Morlancourt WILKINSON J 18066
30 Mar Inspection by Secretary of State for War
31 Mar In Morlancourt
1 Apr In Morlancourt DOW ROBERT GARNETT CRICHTON, 18416
2 Apr In Morlancourt
3 Apr In Morlancourt
4Apr Fricourt C2 Sector ROTHWELL A 17474, GARLAND SAMUEL GEORGE,17353
5 Apr Fricourt C2 Sector 5W
6 Apr Fricourt C2 Sector 1W
7 Apr Fricourt C2 Sector1W 1
8 Apr Fricourt C2 Sector
9 Apr Fricourt C2 Sector PAWLEY ERNEST 18009
10 Apr To Morlancourt
Paddy Burke letter home
11 Apr In Morlancourt
12 Apr In Morlancourt
13 Apr To Fricourt C1 Sector 1W GIBBONS THOMAS 17899
14 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 1
15 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 4W Major Smalley 4 BESSELL H 17294 WILLIAMSON E 17265
COATES REGINALD 17590, HUGHES S 17385
16 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 2W WAGSTER SAMUEL 18046
17 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 5W 2 BOTTOMS W 18115, DODD F 17073
18 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 3W WIGNALL HERBERT 18117
19 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector C coy to Morlancourt
7W Lieut Watts, BRADSHAW A 17832, HOLGATE ERNEST 17382,KANARD J S 17397,KEANF W 17137
20 Apr To Morlancourt
21 Apr Morlancourt
22 Apr Morlancourt
23 Apr To Fricourt C1 Sector 2 HESFORD BRUCE 17919,WILLIAMS HARRY 18068
24 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 1
25 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector RORKE S 18246
26 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 1W
27 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector Accident 1 HALPIN A 17642
28 Apr Fricourt C1 Sector 1W
29 Apr To Morlancourt 3W
30 Apr Morlancourt
1 May Morlancourt
2 May Morlancourt
3 May Morlancourt
4 May Morlancourt
5 May To Fricourt C1 Sector 1W
6 May Fricourt C1 Sector 3W PARKYN J R 17724
7 May Fricourt C1 Sector 1W
8 May Fricourt C1 Sector 9W BRERETON STANLEY 18370 EDWARDS HAROLD 26028
GLEW WILLIAM 17094, HOLLAND PERCY CHARLES 17654,SHARP C 17218 WOOLLEY W 18073
9 May Fricourt C1 Sector WASS WILLIAM 18055
10 May Fricourt C1 Sector
11 May To Morlancourt
12 May Morlancourt
13 May Morlancourt
14 May Morlancourt
15 May Morlancourt
16 May Morlancourt
17 May To Fricourt C1 Sector 1 KING BEDWARD ELDON 17140
18 May Fricourt C1 Sector 1W 1 FROST H 12883
19 May Fricourt C1 Sector 2W 1 GOSPEL J F 17357,HOLT ARTHUR EDWARD 17928
20 May Fricourt C1 Sector 4W
21 May Fricourt C1 Sector 2W
22 May Fricourt C1 Sector
23 May To Morlancourt
24 May Morlancourt
25 May Morlancourt
26 May Morlancourt
27 May Morlancourt
28 May Morlancourt
29 May To Fricourt C1 Sector 4W
30 May Fricourt C1 Sector 4W 1 SPEED F 18034
31 May Fricourt C1 Sector WILLIAMS GEORGE 18067
1 Jun Fricourt C1 Sector 1W 1 BROWN ERNEST 17569, HILL JOHN 17648
2 Jun Fricourt C1 Sector 2W 1 DIMELOW W 17071, TOWNSEND ERNEST 17512
3 Jun Fricourt C1 Sector 3W Major W D O’Brien died 7 Jun HOLDING B 26192 MORAN J 17433
4 Jun To Morlancourt 1 HALL E 17640
5 Jun Morlancourt
6 Jun Morlancourt
7 Jun Morlancourt O’BRIEN Major William Donough
8 Jun Morlancourt
9 Jun Morlancourt
10 Jun To Fricourt C1 Sector 2W
11 Jun Fricourt C1 Sector 2W 2 BARNSHAW J J 17006 BARROW GEORGE 17008
12 Jun Fricourt C1 Sector 3W
13 Jun To Morlancourt
14 Jun To Corbie, Fouilloy, Aubigny,Daours, Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas.
15 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
16 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
17 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
18 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
19 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas. Battalion Sports
20 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
21 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
22 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
23 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
24 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
25 Jun Bussy-Les-Daours. Under canvas
26 Jun To Morlancourt
27 Jun Morlancourt
28 Jun To Fricourt then back to Morlancourt
29 Jun Morlancourt 1W
30 Jun To Fricourt C1 Sector
1 Jul Quarry 300 yds SE Bois Francais-
Mametz-Becordel road. Attack at 2:30pm. 110 killed, 29 missing, 171 wounded.
3 Jul Pulled out of front line.
14 Jul Attack on Bazentin Wood
17 Aug Billets at Dernancourt. Paddy Burke letter.
3 Sep Attack on Delville Wood and Ginchy. 130 Pals left.
Killed In Action 1 July 1916
Surname Name Number Company
ABBOTT JOHN 18490
AINSWORTH ERNEST 17278
ANTHONY ERNEST 17282
ASHTON JOHN WILLIAM 18175
BAILEY GEORGE ARTHUR 26240
BAMBER J 26123
BANKS JAMES 17815
BARBER WILLIAM 17287
BARRATT ALBERT 26131
BAUME HAROLD 17009
BERRY GEORGE HENRY 17826
BIRD DAVID 17296
BOARDMAN CYRIL 17827
BONEHILL C 17559
BOWYER E 18081
BOYER REGINALD HARRY 17830 D
BROOKS FRANK SMITH 2ND LIEUT
BRYAN T 18082
BURGESS S 17030
BUTLER LESLIE 17035
CAINE THOMAS STANLEY 17309
CHADWICK FRED 18352
CHANCE FRED WILLIAM 17041
CLIFFE R 18237
COCKIN JAMES 26018
COLE E B 26060
COOMBS W W 17053
COX A R 17322
CROKER JOHN 17864
CROMPTON J B 17326
CROSS J 17327
CUSS C 17866
DELPH T 17068
DENT WS 17332
DIXON CHARLES BRETT 17335
DUDLEY W H 17075
EATON JAMES WILLCOX 2ND LIEUT
FARAGHER ERNEST 17618 C
FARRELL JOHN WILLIAM 17083
FLEMING MARTIN MATTHIAS 17888
FURNESS W 17351
GILL GEORGE BERNARD 17633
GORTON ALFRED 17097
HACKETT FRANK 17909
HALL R A 17104
HANNIBLE J 17107
HARDY J 17109
HARRIS ARTHUR WILLIAM 18220
HEATON A 17112
HESLOP A 17114
HIND LEONARD 17650
HOGG J 18285
HOLME EDWARD HOLT 17927
HOLLINS WILLIAM 17655
HOPKINSON F 26148
HORRIDGE A 17384
HUGHES C 18130
HUGHES H 17124
HUGHES JOSEPH 17125 A
HUMPHREYS G 17936
IRVING G 18358
JACKSON REUBEN MAYHEW 17390
JACKSON THOMAS 18411
JENKINS ARTHUR 17942
JOYCE H 17947
KELSALL JAMES WILLIAM 17949
KEMP THOMAS 2ND LIEUT
KNOWLES FRED 17143
LEACH E 17145
LEVER F T 17150
LEWIS LIEUT COL
LOMAS H LIEUT
MARTIN W H 17160
MASSEY CLIFFORD 17162
MAXWELL S 17422
McDERMOTT JOHN FRANCIS 18294
MEADOWCROFT H C 17166
MOORES W S 17172
MORGAN H 17173
MURPHY DOUGLAS 26515
MURPHY JAMES JOSEPH 18347
NEEDHAM SAMUEL 17439
NICHOLS EDWIN JAMES 17181
NICHOLSON BOUSEFIELD 18180
OWEN RICHARD GORDON 18002
PARKER FRANK 17454
PAWLEY ERNEST 18009
PILKINGTON NELSON 18011
POTTER JOHN ERNEST 18434
SHAW JAMES 18102
SIMPSON EDWIN WHITFIELD 17754
SMITH STEPHEN 17758
TAYLOR W 26200
THOMAS JAMES 17241
THORNEYCROFT T 17242
TWITCHETT ALBERT 26116
WALKER G 18127
WALKER R 17787
WARD FRED 18053
WHILLANS T L 28808
WHITE J V CAPTAIN
WHITELEY WALTER 26079
WIDDESON W 18118
WILBOURNE J 17527
WILDE SAMUEL ELLISON 17256
WOODHEAD ERIC JAMES 17272
WORTH H 17539
Further reading
The Manchester Pals, M Stedman
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