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George O'Reilly

Started by OzNikki, March 23, 2013, 12:21:33 PM

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OzNikki

Hi

I have just posted my first question on the WW1 section - I am living in Australia, researching my Family Tree, I have several family members who served in the Manchester Regiment, including my Great Uncle - George O'Reilly.

Sadly, Uncle George did not return from the War. He died as a POW on 7 August 1943, cause of death - Colitis and he is buried in Thanbyuzayat Military Cemetery.

His regiment number was 3533999. He served in the First Battalion.

I am very lucky to have been given a booklet which includes a Roll of Honour, along with accounts of how the Battalion contributed to the efforts in Malaya, Thailand and Burma.

In addition, I have original heart wrenching letters from my Uncle to his Dad and Sisters, it was awful to read his letters, filled with hope, when I already knew the outcome of his fate......

Obviously, because of the documents I have to hand, I do have quite a bit of detail on my Great Uncle, but I would like to find out the following:

1. Can I get his enlistment records?

2. Is there a memorial somewhere in Manchester where Manchester Regiment Soldiers are honoured?

Thanks in advance.

Nikki

Wendi

Quote from: OzNikki on March 23, 2013, 12:21:33 PM
1. Can I get his enlistment records?

Hi Nikki and a Warm Welcome to our Forum.

You should be able to obtain his service record via this link https://www.gov.uk/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records however you may have to wait about 6 months to receive it, but it's worth it !

Wendi  :)
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it!  No matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and with your own common sense" ~ Buddha

Robert Bonner

Nikki.

A warm welcome to the forum.

You ask regarding a memorial in Manchester.  All the casualties of  the Regiment from WWI, WWII and peacetime are recorded in the Books of Remembrance in the Regimental Chapel in Manchester Cathedral.  The leaves of these books are turned every two weeks by members of the regimental association and any serving soldiers who are in Manchester at the time.
They are not forgotten.
Robert

rafboy

#3
Hi Nikki

If you don't have a photograph of his grave contact TBRC at: http://www.tbrconline.com/index.htm, if they have it they will supply it free.

There should be a POW Record Card for him in our National Archive at Kew, I have copies of a lot but not your uncles.  If you ask Roy (Forums themonsstar) he may be able to get it for you on his next visit.

The next of kin can get his service record, it may cost about £30.00 and take a while to get it supplied, I have attached 2 PDF files with an application form and the information on how to apply.

Just a thought re your WW1 post, I assume this George O'Reilly is George Henry's son, if that is so the reference to Malay probably refers to George in Singapore as Singapore was part of Malaya then, I guess he thought his father had been there at some time.

Hope this helps
Cliff

Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

OzNikki

Thank you for the replies.

I will pass on the details about Manchester Cathedral to my Mum, being overseas I am unable to go myself, but will put this on the list for my next visit!

Regards the POW photographs, I cannot see them on the thread. The text is there but not the image. I can see other photos on the postcard thread, but not relating to POW's.

Am I doing something wrong??

Nikki

rafboy

You may like to take a look at this http://www.facebook.com/AdamParkProject ( Not the Manchester Regiment area of Singapore but still interesting.)
They have just posted a video on POW food.  See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7azxrXXq414
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

OzNikki

Hi Cliff

Would be great to get a full size photo if not too much trouble.

I have a small photo of George O'Reilly (junior), used in a newspaper announcement by his family to advise he was alive and well as a POW.

Thanks again for your help.

Kind Regards

Nikki

tonyrod

#7
hi Nikki, I am not 100%sure but this photo I think his SECTION  B4 AND A3  is front row 3 in, A1 is out of the photo  so the second from the left  is I think is your g/uncle George O'Reilly grave,

rafboy

The photos will be on the way to you shortly Nikki, please let me know if you have any luck in finding him in one of them.  If you want a second opinion let me have the picture that you have.
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

rafboy

#9
The cemetery site plan for you Nikki.
His Memorial page from the Roll of Honour site: http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/regiments/Manchester_Regiment/html/o_database_7.htm
Tony is correct with the grave location you can see the Manchesters badge on that stone.
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

rafboy

Another view of the cemetery.
Cliff
Cliff P Son of 3525679 Sgt Arthur Phillips 1st Bn Manchester Regiment and RAPC

tonyrod

#11
cheers cliff, I was not 100% sure,  and you can see the Manchester badge, and a few more, 184 MANCHESTERS are buired in this cemetery  I have those buried close ,and  they are now listed in our grave photos, :)

PTE.3528422  SATERLEY, JOHN FREDERICK
Date of Death: 01/08/1943
Age:25
Grave Reference B4. B. 1.

PTE.3954300  McCARTHY, WILLIAM
Date of Death: 01/08/1943
Age: 40
Grave Reference B4.  

PTE.3528293  GREGG, FRANK
Date of Death: 11/08/1943
Age: 27
Grave Reference B4. B. 5.

PTE.3534681 GARNER, HAROLD
Date of Death: 26/07/1943
Age: 25
Grave Reference B4. B. 6.

PTE,3529281  BENNETT, THOMAS FREDERICK
Date of Death: 30/08/1943
Age: 26
Grave Reference  B4. C. 3.

PTE.4125064  DAVENPORT, THOMAS
DIED 05/08/1943
Age: 26
Grave Reference B4. C. 5.


OzNikki

Hi

Thank you so much for your effort. I was surprised to see how well kept the Cemetery is.

It is nice to get a visual on his resting place. Still hunting any other small pieces of detail I can find relating to his life.

I have attached two images, one of the death announcement article placed by his Sister and the second, a closer image of the photograph.

Hopefully, someone can identify him in the photo Cliff refers to........photo a little grainy I'm afraid!

Thanks again.

Nikki

tonyrod

hi Nikki, the commonwealth graves are the same every where I have been  and looked after first class, its just the flowers that differ, and the type of stone, or headstone,   :) tonyrod