john westwood

[Bobpike]

I'm seeking any information, please, on a soldier of 24th Battalion, but a 'Non-Original.' His details are John Westwood Pte 21290 in the 24th Battalion (Oldham Pioneers) (Manchester Regiment) who died on 25th August 1916.  His medal card is WO 372/21/96240.

[sphinx]

KIA 10.1.1917, commemerated on Thiepval memorial.
Lived 171 Morton Street, Longsight, Manchester.
Married, born c. 1877

regards

[tonyrod]

HI BOB  welcome to the forum,

PTE  21209 WESTWOOD, JOHN
Date of Death: 25/08/1916 Age:39
Manchester Regiment 24th Bn.
Panel Reference
Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Son of the late John and Harriet Westwood, of Wolverhampton;
 husband of Jane Ann Westwood, of 171, Morton St., Longsight,

In early November 1915 they landed at La Harve, and then entrained to the front, where they took their first training with the Leicesters in the Albert and Arras sectors. On the 20th December 1915 the 91st Brigade moved to 7th Division & then the 22nd Brigade, 7th Division

After a period of training the battalion were given a new career and on the 22nd May 1916 became Pioneer Battalion for the 7th Division and they moved to the village of Aumont, near Amiens, later to move to Morlancourt near Albert. Here they suffered their first casualties of the war, carrying out the duties of pioneers in the front lines and to the rear of them.

In the battle of the Somme the 24th were engaged in converting the german trenchs captaured around Fricourt into strongpoints and consoldating the gains of the 7th Division. Compared with other units the battalion suffered very light casualties of eight men. On the 14th July the battalion followed up the attack on Bazention le Petit, to build a strongpoint in the village, taking 52 casualties. On the 30th August the 7th Division was to make it's attack on the disputed village of Guinchy, the 24th were employed building the support trenches needed, although the attack was not successful, the preparation work cost the battalion 38 casualties.

[Wendi]

KIA 10.1.1917, commemerated on Thiepval memorial.
Lived 171 Morton Street, Longsight, Manchester.
Married, born c. 1877

regards

spinx
21207 Westwood died 25 August 1916 Son of the late John and Harriet Westwood, of Wolverhampton; husband of Jane Ann Westwood, of 171, Morton St., Longsight, Manchester.
Wendi

[Bobpike]

Tony,
That's excellent, thank you.
Is he likely to be in one of the platoon photos?
I presume it is likely that he was the victim of a sniper or stray shell?
Kind regards,
Bob

[Bobpike]

Wendi,
Thank you, too, what amazing service!
Regards,
Bob

[sphinx]

KIA 10.1.1917, commemerated on Thiepval memorial.
Lived 171 Morton Street, Longsight, Manchester.
Married, born c. 1877

regards

spinx
21207 Westwood died 25 August 1916 Son of the late John and Harriet Westwood, of Wolverhampton; husband of Jane Ann Westwood, of 171, Morton St., Longsight, Manchester.
Wendi

Yes, sorry, reading from the wrong line in the entries.

regards

[tonyrod]

bob ,going off his medal card  he went over sometime in 1916,  those who went in 1914  the regular battalions where awarded the 1914 star  known by some as the MONS STAR, and those in 1915 the 1914-15 star ,its unlikely he his on the 24th battalion photos but I will have a look .

[mack]

hiya bob.
he is in the platoon photos,but not in the 24th batt,he was in capt etchells company[E.coy]22nd manchesters

mack

[tonyrod]

E COY 17TH PLATOON, well spotted MACK,
possible  he went over with the 22nd but they suffered heavy losses on the somme

In February 1916 they arrived at the Somme, opposite the German held fortified village of Mametz, east of Fricourt. On the 2nd June A company carried out a trench raid on a German listening post. After weeks of rehearsal, sixty men attacked after a substantial bombardment. The attack was a success but not without cost as the problem of uncut wire, which was to be a major factor in the oncoming Battle of the Somme, caused many casualties.

On the 1st July, the battle of the Somme commenced, the 22nd, as part of 7th Division, would be attacking Fricourt in a pincer movement. The 21st were to remain in reserve until Fricourt was ready to be assaulted, while the 91st brigade was to attack Bunny Alley and Fritz trench. The 22nd acheived their first objective of Bucket Trench and moved on the Danzig Alley but were drived back as german soldiers emerged unscarthed from their underground bunkers. Re-inforced by the elements of the South Staffords, the 22nd took Danzig Trench. The brigade pushed forward and Mametz was taken. The battalion paid a terrible price, of the 796 men that started the day, they suffered 472 casualties. The battalion was relieved on the 5th July.

[mack]

all the E.coys from the 22nd,23rd and 24th battalions,formed the 27th reserve battalion,john westwood could have been sent to france with the 22nd or 24th batt

mack

[tonyrod]

his family are on a ancestry family tree youngest of 8 one other brother Henry third born in 1861 . on the 1901 census he his a solicitors clerk and with his parents in Wolverhampton  and younger sister  Dora making it 9 children, on the 1881 census his father john  is a blacksmith

1911
John Westwood  Age in 1911:   35
Estimated Birth Year:   abt 1876
Birth Place:   Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish:   South Manchester
County/Island:   Lancashire
Street Address:   13 Wynford Terrace Longsight
Marital Status:   Married
Occupation:   Railway Engine Tube Cleaner

John Westwood                   35
Jane Ann Westwood           28
Charles Frederick Westwood   4
Dora Westwood                   1

[Bobpike]

I'm overwhelmed and most impressed with your kind responses, thank-you. Is there any way you can identify him in the platoon photo?
Bob

[tonyrod]

BOB, you would need a family photo of him no way to tell who's who,

[Bobpike]

I thought as much, I'll see what I can find, many thanks,
Bob