hello

[wiganer]

hi.
Im new to the site.
Our connection to the Manchesters is my husbands grandad -Pte John HOWARTH 43871 18th.Batt Manchester regt. He enlisted in Wigan, his place of birth,in 1915.He was killed in action on 23/04/1917 and is buried in Cuckoo Passage cemetery .Heninel, Pas De Calais.
A place we have visited many times.
He also fought on the Somme as part ofthe 30th Brigade liberating montaubon on the 1st July 1916.

[Wendi]

Hi wiganer and a Warm Welcome to The Forum 

Thanks for posting the photos!  hope you enjoy finding your way around, and if you have any queries please don't hesitate....

Wendi 

[harribobs]

hi wiganer

and welcome

i hope you don't mind but i have amended your post as there was an extra 8 in John's service number

have you ever downloaded his medal index card?

http://tiny.cc/v5wLm

cheers

chris

[harribobs]

[tisgrannie]

Hello and welcome. How wonderful you contacted us. I have been to the Cemetery just before Christmas and Johns Grave photo is in our War Graves collection. I was so impressed with the photo as it personalised the grave. I thought also of the tribute of the cross to the left of the entrance. We actually foolishley drove up to the cemetery and got stuck in very deep mud. Which upset me greatly, as not just being stuck in France in a trench but of the fact that that is what those brave men existed in!
I purposely went to Cuckoo Passage because of the amount of Manchester Regt men buried there. I was sorry that we couldn't get all the photos of those 5 or so Graveyards scattered around that vast field. I was amazed also of the perfectly formed lawned footpath to the Cemetery. They are really taking care of that place out in the muddy fields. Very moving.
So I have stood at Johns grave and thought of his sacrifice along with my husband and friends. I thanked him and the rest of those brave men alongside him.
Its a pleasure to have you drop in!
sincerely
tisgrannie

[Wendi]

Hi again !

He also fought on the Somme as part of the 30th Brigade liberating montaubon on the 1st July 1916.

Humm with this service number 43871 that's unlightly, where diid you obtain the info relating to Montaubon ?

Wendi 

[wiganer]

hi wendi,
the infois allfromJohns sevice records
vera

[wiganer]

wendi,
forgot to give this infoto you.
John enlisted into the 5th Battallion at Wigan.
for some reason or other when he was on the Somme he is in the Kings Own Liverpools.
At Heninel he was back in the Manchesters -18th Batt.
I suppose there must have been some reason for all this moving but Idon't now what it was.
Tisgrannie ,
Glad you liked  the little extras we have done for John.
The wooden cross was made by my husband and the plaque by my eldest
son.
I have photos of the other cemeteries around there-
Rookery
Cherisy Rd East,
Heninel-Croisilles Rd.
boothams.
Wancourt
Guennape
tank.
and many others which Iwill gladly share with you all, if any are of interest o you.
I also have any photos of Belgian sites and some WW2 in NORMANDY'
vera

[harribobs]

)  that makes a little more sense

was he at gallipoli with the 5th?

[tisgrannie]

Hey wiganer, that would be great, I may have the Cherisy rd ones but will take them anyway as the day we were there the sun was shining and the light for photos was too bright. I would be delighted with them. We do only put Manchester Regiment on the site as thats who we are about. I  do for the War Graves Project also. If I could share them with them if thats OK. Thats how I got started.
Amazing we have made contact with someone! It happened on rootschat as well. We were going to Soisson to look on the memorial for a friends uncle. mack on here pointed out that a chap from Warrington was on his own in the local cemetery.  We posted that as well.  I aslo got a photo for  chap from Canada whose grt Uncle was buried at Hersin. The chap from Warringtons had a family member who found the link to us as she had clicked google I think. makes it all worth while.
If you want to pm me you can click on my name on the side and get my email address and then we can sort out how to get the photos .
Thank you very much indeed
tisgrannie

[wiganer]

hitisgrannie,
I am perfectly willing to share my photos with anyone who would appreciate them-permisson granted to you to decide where they are best placed.

there is another John Howarth of the Manchesters who was killed on the same day as our s but was much younger-18 I think.
He is buried in Hibers Trench cem.Wancourt.
You take the road at the side of the cafe in Wancourt village and its not far along ,its on the right.
I have a photo of the cem and I will dig it out and forward it on.
vera

[wiganer]

hharribobs,
no John was not at gallipoli-I wonder what batt. he was in then given all this shuffling about!.
My grandfather however was-I have limited info on him. I think he was in the Lancs FUIS.
I know you re a Manchesters site but I wonder if you could help-point the way so to speak.
James Whelan-born about 1876 in Standish nr. Wigan-does not appear to have been registered at birth so can't find a date of birth.
on my dads birth cert. <he was 4 at the time> there is a stamp -FEB 1917 ARMY PAY OFFICE PRESTON why would that be.?
I was told he served in the dardenelles and in flanders.
thanks
vera

[mack]

hharribobs,
no John was not at gallipoli-I wonder what batt. he was in then given all this shuffling about!.
My grandfather however was-I have limited info on him. I think he was in the Lancs FUIS.
I know you re a Manchesters site but I wonder if you could help-point the way so to speak.
James Whelan-born about 1876 in Standish nr. Wigan-does not appear to have been registered at birth so can't find a date of birth.
on my dads birth cert. <he was 4 at the time> there is a stamp -FEB 1917 ARMY PAY OFFICE PRESTON why would that be.?
I was told he served in the dardenelles and in flanders.
thanks
vera

hiya vera
in 1901,your grandfather was serving as a volunteer,in the south lancs regt.
mack

[wiganer]

hi
thanks
how do youknow that I've tryed to get info for ages with no success
vera

[harribobs]

Vera

if you have downloaded John's medal Index card, there's a very good chance we'll be able to tall you which battalions he served in

also if you want me to post any photos for you, just email me

chris