The Manchester Regiment Forum

The Great War => 1914 - 1918 => Topic started by: Bryan chew on December 04, 2019, 11:27:33 AM

Title: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: Bryan chew on December 04, 2019, 11:27:33 AM
 Welcome to the forum Bryan.

I have created a thread specific to Frank Chew, it will attract more attention that way.



My great uncle was with the 12th 17division Frank chew no 33072 he was killed in action 7th July and is on the memorial at Thiepval i am trying to find out about his wife and children or any more information.

Charlie
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: charlie on December 04, 2019, 04:14:58 PM
My great uncle Frank Chew was killed in that day in an trying to trace his family of anyone has information i would be grateful his service no was 33072
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: charlie on December 04, 2019, 04:37:00 PM
Bryan
The war gratuity of £3 which was paid to his father, Francis, indicates that he had served for less than 1 year at the time of his death. As he only qualified for the War and Victory medals his service overseas started on or after 01.01.1916.

On the 1911 census he is recorded as living at 3 Thorpe Lane, Austerlands near Oldham, together with his father, mother Hannah Maria and his brothers and sister George, Herbert, John, Minnie and Harry.

Charlie
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: mack on December 04, 2019, 07:42:53 PM
when he was killed his parents address was 838 Huddersfield rd,austerlands,he was 24yrs old,worked in a cotton mill,i cant find a marriage for frank.
his younger brother john was pte 28932 john chew,11th manchesters then posted to 1/5th battalion,he was gassed on 7th October 1916,and evacuated through the 106th field ambulance,37th casualty clearing station and the 13th general hospital at bolougne,he was then sent home on the hospital ship jan friedal

his youngest brother was F46954 harry chew,royal navy,he later joined the RAF AS pte 246954 harry chew

mack
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: PhilipG on December 04, 2019, 08:26:16 PM
Bryan Chew,

Firstly, welcome to the Forum.  Your relative was killed on the 7th July 1916 during a two-battalion attack on the western edge of Mametz Wood, near Contalmaison.   The objective was a trench known as "Quadrangle Support".   Although a similar assault had been undertaken by the 10th Lancashire Fusiliers and the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers at 2 a.m. and failed, nevertheless it was decided that the 12th Manchesters together with the 9th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) should go forward at 6.30 a.m.   Not surprisingly, this attack also failed -  if a night attack is unsuccessful it follows that a daylight assault a few hours later is unlikely to succeed.   The battalion's casualties were heavy numbering 555.  Sadly, Pte. Chew was one of those brave men who fell in the action.

In Contalmaison's village cemetery there is a memorial dedicated to the men of the 12th Manchesters which is well worth a visit.   I note too, that it is depicted on the web.          PhilipG.
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: Tim Bell on December 04, 2019, 08:43:28 PM
As Philip says, the Memorial is worth a visit. Tucked away at the back of the French civilian grave yard, it leaves a lasting impression.  https://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/memorials-and-cemeteries/memorials/12th-battalion-manchester-regiment-memorial-contalmaison/ (https://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/memorials-and-cemeteries/memorials/12th-battalion-manchester-regiment-memorial-contalmaison/)
Welcome
Tim
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: Bryan chew on December 06, 2019, 02:57:08 PM
Yes I have researched the census but I believe he was married with a couple of children but can not trace any records for them. I found a newspaper which said the people of Austerlands were he lived collected for his wife and children every week and posted through her letter box anomosly .Harry was my grandfather.also found John Chew no 28932 was in the 27th regiment and was wounded in action reading a post i found out to my amazement this regiment was formed for soldiers  who were between 5 foot and 5 foot 5 my great uncle was 5 foot 2 but after that came up with nothing so any help would be appreciated
Title: Re: 33072 Frank Chew 12th Bn
Post by: Bryan chew on December 06, 2019, 03:35:06 PM
when he was killed his parents address was 838 Huddersfield rd,austerlands,he was 24yrs old,worked in a cotton mill,i cant find a marriage for frank.
his younger brother john was pte 28932 john chew,11th manchesters then posted to 1/5th battalion,he was gassed on 7th October 1916,and evacuated through the 106th field ambulance,37th casualty clearing station and the 13th general hospital at bolougne,he was then sent home on the hospital ship jan friedal

his youngest brother was F46954 harry chew,royal navy,he later joined the RAF AS pte 246954 harry chew

mack
u
Welcome to the forum Bryan.

I have created a thread specific to Frank Chew, it will attract more attention that way.



My great uncle was with the 12th 17division Frank chew no 33072 he was killed in action 7th July and is on the memorial at Thiepval i am trying to find out about his wife and children or any more information.

Charlie
3]
 Welcome to the forum Bryan.

I have created a thread specific to Frank Chew, it will attract more attention that way.



My great uncle was with the 12th 17division Frank chew no 33072 he was killed in action 7th July and is on the memorial at Thiepval i am trying to find out about his wife and children or any more information.

Charlie
[/quote]    thank you all for letting me join your forum and for the help I'm receiving I'm finding it very interesting but also frustrating as like a lot of you must be . I knew nothing at the start of searching my family history but I know a lot more now thanks everyone !!!