Private Alfred William Bennett

[alanbennett57]

I am currently researching my family history and it appears my grandfather was in the Manchester Regiment from 1914 - 1919.  His medal roll card shows his number was 49163.  He also has a reference to the Border R (Regiment?).  How can I find out what his battalion was and what he did during the war?  His medal roll card also states H/1/103 B14 does this mean anything?  I have photographs of him - one standing by a white field tent.

My father remembers him saying he was a Lewis gunner.

[harribobs]

Hi Alan

and welcome to the forum

the range which included 49163 was used across the regiment in approx 1915, so we can't get his battalion directly from that, we may be able to get a little more information from the medal roll for the Victory and british war medals he was awarded ( we can also tell that he didn't go abroad until after 1915 from this)

MIC attached

cheers

chris

[alanbennett57]

Chris

Many thanks for the reply and the information.  Not sure what I do next.  I am hoping to find some more pictures and maybe some letters from my father.  If you are able to assist further I would be most obliged.

Alan

[harribobs]

alan

to be honest Alan, i am afraid the chance of finding personal photos or letters are remote, if we can get someone to look up the rolls and find his battalion we will have the first step

cheers

chris

[alanbennett57]

Chris

Thanks again for the quick reply.  I actuallt meant that I might have some more photos of my grandfather (Alfred Bennett) amongst his effects.

My father might also be able to remember something that provides a clue.

Alan

[alanbennett57]

This is Alfred Bennett (Centre) at the end of WWI.  Is it possible to see if his two pals are from the Manchester Regiment.

[harribobs]

alan

the only way we could tell is from the badge on the sergeants epaulette, you need to scan the photo again at a very high resolution ( just that section and we might have a chance

one soldier has oversea stripes i see and the other has a wound stripe

chris

[alanbennett57]

Chris

Thanks again.  I will attempt to enlarge the section of the photo.

Alan