Richard River Joseph Stirrup 45163 21 bttn

[Whittle1775]

Hello.  I have an interest in the Manchesters as my great-uncle, Richard River Joseph Stirrup was Private 45163, 21st Bn., Manchester Regiment.  He died on 24th October, 1917 two days before his 32nd birthday at Passcendaele leaving a wife and three daughters.  He lived in Salford and apparently enlisted in Salford but I do not know what date he enlisted.  I have a photograph that I am almost certain is him. 

During the course of family history research I have come across other family members in the forces in both WWI and WWII but he is the only one that I know of in the Manchester Regiment.  My grandfather was in the Territorial Force, Lancashire Fusiliers but didn't serve abroad.

Margaret North.

[Wendi]

Hi Margaret, and a Warm Welcome to our Forum!

What a wonderful name your great uncle had !!!  His number may give a clue as to which intake he was in, but it was definitely Salford.  We'd love to see the photo if you can attach it via the

+ Additional Options... tab under the reply box.........I'll pop your post over to the 1914-18 section to see what the interested parties over there have to say......

Wendi 

[harribobs]

Hi Margaret

and welcome to the forum

here's Richards entry in sdgw

chris

[Wendi]

Hi again Margaret !

I forgot to mention ALL the soldiers service records with surnames begining "S" survived the German Bombings of 1940 

Wendi 

[timberman]

Hi Margaret
Welcome to the forum.
Your great-uncle, Richard River Joseph Stirrup Private 45163, 21st Bn Manchester Regiment is listed in the roll of honour in the book The 21st Battalion The Manchester Regiment A History on page 57.
On page 28 it give a brief description of what the battalion was doing on the 24th of October 1917.

Timberman

[mack]

Hi Margaret, and a Warm Welcome to our Forum!

What a wonderful name your great uncle had !!!  His number may give a clue as to which intake he was in, but it was definitely Salford.  We'd love to see the photo if you can attach it via the

+ Additional Options... tab under the reply box.........I'll pop your post over to the 1914-18 section to see what the interested parties over there have to say......

Wendi 

his dad had a fine name as well.
pte richard,river,joseph stirrup
45163
21st manchesters
born salford
parents river,jordan+mary,j stirrup,16 montford st,weaste.
occupation,paper hanger
married 1906
enlisted.1-11-16
killed in action 24-10-17
his father died in salford,in 1959.

mack

[Whittle1775]

Wendi,

Sending or posting the picture didn't work first time so I am trying again after having compressed the jpeg.

Margaret

[Whittle1775]

Being new to the world of Forums I can't work out how to reply individually to people and my first attempt to send a block reply didn't work for some reason.  I expect I will get the hang of it eventually.  Anyway, I wanted to thank Wendi, Chris, Timberman and Mack for their kind and helpful replies.

The name Jordan was given to Richard after his father, River Jordan Stirrup who in turn was called Jordan as this was his mother's maiden name.  He was their second son called River Jordan, the first having died so I can only assume that they had a sense of humour.  Richard's father died on 29 May 1909 at 16 Montford Street, Salford.

I hadn't know when exactly Richard had enlisted and I also hadn't seen the endry in sdgw so thatnks for that.

It is good to know that the records for the surnames beginning with S have survived as my cousin couldn't find him at Kew when she searched a few years ago so there is a chance I could locate them.

I have a copy of 21st Battn The Manchester Regiment that I bought a few years ago to find out more about Richard's experience and I also have Lynn Macdonals's book "They Called It Passcendaele".  One day I hope to visit Tyne Cot if I can.

Margaret.

[timberman]

Hi Margaret

Thank-you for posting the picture.

If you don't have it this is the panel with Richards name on it at Tyne Cot

His name is at the top left hand corner, the picture does allow you to zoom in a bit.

Timberman

[timberman]

This is the main entrance to the cemetery at Tyne Cot.

[harribobs]

here's another photo of Tyne Cot



the panels are on the back wall

chris

[Whittle1775]

Thank you so much for the photos of Tyne Cot, particularly the one showing the panel with Richard's name.  Tyne Cot is huge and impressive and just from the photographs you can get a feel for the atmosphere there.

Thanks again,
Margaret.

[timberman]

Your welcome Margaret
The ones I posted where taken in the summer of 08

Timberman

[Charmed1234]

Here is his Medal Index Card encase you haven't got it.

[harribobs]

excellent, this shows that he went to war after the 31st Dec 1915 and he was entitled to the British War and the Victory medal

chris