WW1 - Help to identify a service number?

[sequin]

Hello.  I thought I'd dabble (and have become completely addicted) with tracing my family tree.  My living relatives' memories stop at the second world war, as do any family documents or photos as their homes (in Manchester) were bombed at that time.  What a wonderful thing the interweb has been as I've now managed to take us back to 1803 and still have more leads to follow.
Both my Great Grandfathers served in the Manchester Regiment in The Great War.  I've been so fortunate to find one GGrandfathers' grave in a Commonwealth cemetery in Italy. (So many thousands of 'known only to God'; it's heartbreaking)  He was: Albert Dixon. Lance Corporal 17606
20th Bn Manchester Regiment.  Died of wounds 6th May 1918.  Laid to rest in Dueville communal cemetery extension.  Aged 33. (D.O.B. 17 Feb 1885) Son of John and Mary Dixon of Hulme. Husband of Ada and father to 2 small children.  He had been awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914–15 Star.  His address in 1911 was 24 Upper Medlock Street, Hulme.  Thanks to your site I have information on the Division his battalion served with and where they were deployed through 1915 – 1918. (Thank you!)
I'm perfectly happy with these results but any further information would be a most welcome bonus.
The second GGrandfather survived the war, but I have only the entry in the Great War Roll for him.  Herbert Bell, Private, Manchester Regiment.  Served in Egypt 1916 and saw action at Siwa.  He transferred to France by May 1917 taking part in the battles of Ypres and Cambrai and then in the Retreat and Advance of 1918.  Demobilised in Jan 1919.  Born 1875 Stockport, lived at 27 Dougill Street Hulme. Wife Elizabeth, 3 small children and Mother Sarah Jane.  I found two medal cards for Herbert Bell, both having been awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  As they don't give age or address details I can't identify his number.  I believe the Absent Voters list would be my next stop but I understand Manchester Central Library Archive Service is closed until 2013?  I'm not sure what to do next and would really appreciate any assistance.  (Sorry for the lengthy post; I haven't even started on the siblings yet)!  Great site, great work - many thanks.

[mack]

your grandfather was 276347 herbert bell,7th manchesters,27 dougill st,hulme

mack

[kingo]

Hi sequin, and welcome to the forum. Your Gt Grandfather, 17606 L/Sgt Albert Dixon, is on the attached photo-but we don't know where !. Can you pick him out ? (Click on photo to enlarge)

[sequin]

Thank you both so much.  I'll get together with my sisters and hopefully between us we may be able to hazard a guess as to which one's Albert.  It's amazing, thank you Kingo. 
I'm off to research the 7th Manchesters now! thanks Mack.

[Wendi]

Hi sequin !

Don't forget to check here http://www.themanchesters.org/7th%20batt.htm 

Wendi 

[kingo]

Sequin-Follow the link here- http://www.archive.org/details/seventhmanchest00wilsgoog  and here- http://www.archive.org/details/withmanchestersi00hurs and there are free download's of the history of the 7th Manchester's during the Great War.