17th battalion officers

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lt Arnold Henry Hiller (16/02/1891) OC XX Pln was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 26th November 1914.  Hulme Grammar School swimming & athletics. Alfred had been an agricultural student in 1911 and his affluent family lived in Chorlton cum Hardy.  Alfred did not serve overseas with the Regiment. Married at Evesham July 1915. Retired with SWB & pension for flat feet 21/09/1916.
Not the greatest likeness. ID from ears and moustache with a gap in the middle.  No other unidentified 2nd Lts have moustaches

[Tim Bell]

2 Lieut Robert Forbes Mansergh 17th Bttn (22/11/1896) Merchiston Pupil & OTC. 2nd Lt A Coy when Bttn arrived in France, November 1915. Defended Montauban 1/7/1916. MC A/Adj 7/8/1916. Capt 02/09/1916. Relinquished appointment on att 90th Bgd HQ 2/2/1917.Lt Duncan appointed Adjt effective 2/2/1917 (WD 20/8/1917) Rejoined Bttn 3/5/1917. To UK sick 26/4/1918.

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lieut James Dunlop Kirkwood (11/11/1885) Attended Merchiston Castle in 1901. MA Glasgow University.  Civil servant with Ottawa Forestry department, Canada. Commissioned 2nd Lieut 05/01/1915. OC IV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Promoted Lt. Treated for insomnia at Rouen 31/01/1916, then neurasthenia commencing 16/03/1916. Evacuated home 06/02/1916 and posted to reserve 25th Bn 30/03/1916,  Div 13/04/1916 att 5th Reserve KLR and  reserve Bn 22/08/1916.

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lieut  William Kirkpatrick Orford 17th Bttn Att 90th Bgd TMB. Born Prestwich 14/5/1895. Educated Winchester (OTC)  with Gerald Sproat & entered Clare College, Cambridge in 1913. Enlisted in 20th PSB Bttn 7/9/1914. 6 feet 4 1/4 inches tall. Commissioned General List 4/1/1915 and posted to 17th Bttn 11th January 1915.  2nd Lt C Coy when Bttn arrived in France, November 1915. Killed in Action with 90th TMB, 1st July 1916, aged 21.

Not a great image in the Bn but the chin, ears and stature correspond.
http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=({Person%20identity}={Orford,%20WK})

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lt Elwell, Ernest Edward Depot late 17th Born Walsall 7/11/1891.  Educated Bilton Grange, Rugby and Gresham School 1906-09. Owned tool manufacturers. Enlisted in Public Schools Battalion and volunteered as Despatch Rider in Royal Engineers, going to France on 28th October 1914.  He returned home sick and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 1st March 1915.  OC XI Pln April 1915. He will have known Lt Edward Lawrence Heyworth.  Ernest went overseas  as 2nd Lt in C Coy  in November 1915 and returned home with sickness in Spring 1916.  Transfer to Training Reserve 01/09/1916. He returned to France in 1917 attached to 21st Battalion.  He was killed at Passchendaele on 6th October 1917.

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lt George Frederick Ward had enlisted as Private 6697 in the 1st City Battalion on 29th August 1914.  He had previously been employed as a clerk and was 19 years old when he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 26th September 1914. George had been selected as an officer following his education at Manchester Grammar School, where he had been a member of the OTC for two years. George's father was mining engineer and general manager of a coal mine.  The family lived in Bramhall, Cheshire. In April 1915, George was OC of X Platoon.  He transferred to 90th Brigade Cyclist Company in September 1915 and served in France with 30th Division Army Cyclists Corps.  In 1916 he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps.

[Tim Bell]

2nd Lt Alan Thomas Selbourne Holt 17th Bttn (26/03/1895) Merton House & Rugby School, where he had spent 3 years in the OTC. Parents lived in Hale. Alan made another Application for a Regular commission on 7/9/1914, which had been cancelled. Comm Manchesters 28/9/1914. Attended Bombing School at Clapham Common.  Arrived France 5/1/1916 and probably served in A Coy.  Attended 30th Division School at Corbie in May 1916. Wounded in rifle grenade accident 18/8/1916. Embarked Boulogne 22/8/1916. Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital At Millbank 22/08/1916 - 02/09/1916, then 2nd Gen Hosp. Served in 3rd & 4th Bttns 30/10/1916. Lt 13/02/1917. Taken back on strength and rejoined Bttn from Base 11/3/1917. A Coy OC, Wounded (Neck & Knee), captured and MC 23/4/1917. Held Karlsruhe, Freiburg -21/5/1917. Repatriated 4/12/1918.