1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment

[Fritz Bayer]

I'm looking for photographs/maps that show the 1/9th Mancs during the latter part of May 1940. Photos of (confirmed) members of this battalion at this period would be especially welcome - especially photos of casualties during this period - as would "general" shots of them in France and Belgium, especially if locations can be identified.

One last thing - does anyone know if there was a specific battalion history written (either published or unpublished) about them or is there much mentioned about this period for them in the more general regimental histories?

If anyone can help out , I'd be eternally grateful!

Cheers.

Dave

[Robert Bonner]

There is a detailed list of all publications relating to the Regiment in the Group section: Publications relating to the Regiment - Quite simple really.

However to answer your question, the history of the 9th Battalion and in particular their activities in WWII is fully detailed in Rifle Volunteers of Ashton-under-Lyne published in 1955 by Fleur de Lys Publishers and available from the Regimental Museum.

[Fritz Bayer]

Thanks Robert (it's not all that simple in reality though - as in all published lists, that listing's not necessarily complete  (eg. the history of the 11th Bn 1915-18 that sits on my shelf next to me isn't mentioned...and neither is the one that you've just told me about (as far as I can see)), hence my question).

Cheers.

Dave.

[harribobs]

Dave

the 11th battalion history was never published, so can't be included in a publications list!

and i beg to differ over t'other! 

http://www.themanchesters.org/BIBLIO_1.htm

[Fritz Bayer]

Ah! i was looking for the one that would have ended in 1955! I thought that was a different publication. How detailed for the events of May 1940 is that book (in other words, is it worth me seeking it out seeing as I already have the War Diaries?)?

Cheers.

Dave

(PS - any photos (which are more important for me at the moment) in it?)

[Fritz Bayer]

the 11th battalion history was never published, so can't be included in a publications list!

Why not? (when it's quite freely available and accessable). You've listed these...

Derbyshire G
1950s
A Wigan Military Chronicle

           Unpublished typescript in 5 volumes. 5th Battalion and others. Copies in the Imperial War Museum, Wigan Local Studies Library (Ref D/DZ A16) and the Lancashire County Record Office, Preston. ...


...Bate Canon, HR
1974
Sixty Years After: Memories of a Platoon Commander.

      2/6th Battalion. Unpublished account in Imperial War Museum. Reference WO 77/39/1

About time it was published anyway, I think! (Hint!)

Dave

[Robert Bonner]

Fritz.
The reason why this unpublished history of the 11th Battalion is not included in my list of regimental histories is that I have never come across it until recent mention on the forum.  A volunteer has been working on a project to produce a history of this battalion but all this takes time.  So please - where is this document and who is the author?
Robert

[Fritz Bayer]

I photocopied mine from the copy held (or was held - it's quite a few years since I copied it) at Staleybridge library. The author(s) is/are unknown to me as I didn't copy the title pages (started at chapter 1 which begins on July 1st 1915) nor did I make a note of it. I suspect (though may be wrong) that there are several authors of it as the writing style seems slightly changeable throughout and appears to be a mix of war diary extracts, newspaper and official reports and personal narrative blended into one story.

Here's the first 3 pages as an example (as (elsewhere) there has been a hint of disbelief as to it's existance from certain sources)...

Dave

[Jonathan_NW]

There is a detailed list of all publications relating to the Regiment in the Group section: Publications relating to the Regiment - Quite simple really.

However to answer your question, the history of the 9th Battalion and in particular their activities in WWII is fully detailed in Rifle Volunteers of Ashton-under-Lyne published in 1955 by Fleur de Lys Publishers and available from the Regimental Museum.

Robert

I'm a little confused. Is the book you mention as being published in 1955 different to your 2005 work?

Jonathan

[sphinx]

Jonathon,

Roberts book is one and the same.  Just a typo it should read 1859-1971, published in 2005.

Dave,

Great to see there is some info on the 11th Bn.  As a weekly researcher at the Local Studies (now at Ashton) I have not come across it.  I shall have to search it all again if Robert hasnt already begun the process.

If its not there you may have the only copy!  Quite a treasure in,my opinion to a slightly overlooked "First Pals" war raised Bn.

regards

[sphinx]

Found it today.
Thanks for the heads up.

Regards

[mack]

those of you who bought the CD off woody some time ago,that lists the manchesters gallantry medals,should have the 11th batts history,thats also on the CD.
theres some stuff in the oversize book section at ashton library,including a copy of the stalybridge herald[1915]which has many photos of manchester lads,mostly those from tameside.

mack