Pte 8905 William Sweeney Alias

[Tim Bell]

Pte Sweeney enlisted (as Welsh) in the Manchester Regiment on 27/7/1903, aged 18y 8m.  He had been serving in 6th Bttn.  William served in 1st & 2nd Bttns at Home and India before his transfer to Reserve on 26/7/1906.
In the Great War William was mobilised and disembarked in France with 2nd Bttn on 15/8/1914 (1914 Star).  William was wounded 10/9/1914, with GSW L knee. He was posted to Depot on 19/9/1914 and transferred to 3rd Bttn on 28/3/1916.  He was discharged (as Sweeney) with SWB on 31/5/1916 and received a Pension for disability due to the wounds.  He lived with his brother at Brown Street.
William died at Prestwich Asylum on 28/7/1919. Address 113 George Street, Oldham Rd. Soldiers Effects indicates he was disxharged insane, but this doesn't correlate with the Pension Record. Prestwich Q3 1919 8d/254.
Next of Kin was noted as Brother Albert Welsh of 13 Poland St, Oldham Rd. Later 17 Brown St, Ancoats.