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New Member from France

Started by alain dubois, May 01, 2014, 09:34:41 AM

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alain dubois

Hello,
    My name is Alain DUBOIS, I'm living in Valenciennes, (North France, near Belgian Border), and was working at Mount Houy university, "Mount" (81m !) which was a strong point to liberate the town on November 2nd, 1918, after long months of german occupation, since August 25th, 1914,  and allowed to allies to walk toward Mons (Belgium)
The town was liberated by Canadian Army, essentially 4th Division, and my father, 12 years old, told us often what occured.
I have studied the progression of the allied armies in Valenciennes sector, essentially on October-November 1918, but since some days, I have a question about Manchester Regiment, I'll formulate it in a post in WWI subforum.
Regards
Alain
My English is not so fluent that I sometimes think  :'( , my apologies for my mistakes.

harribobs

Welcome to the forum Alain, don't worry about your English mate ;D

Chris
"It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply
  to serve as a warning to others."

pete th

Alain, welcome to the forum  :)

Regards
Pete
Remembering

Pte Sidney Lee (36719), 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regt - dow 18.02.17
Sgt Charles Roberts (13668), 11th Bn, Manchester Regiment - kia 18.05.18
Bombardier John Hesford (70065), 147th Heavy Battery, RGA dow - 04.09.18
Pte Sidney Lee (4131324), 8th Bn, Cheshire Regiment -  kia 12.03.41

Wendi

Hi Alain Welcome to our forum  :)

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

alain dubois

Thanks .
Of course if somebody wants photographs, in my sector, or surrounding, don't hesitate to ask .

Exceptionally,  I'll be at Foncquevillers on June 1st, and of course I'll go at british Cemetery.
Regards
Alain

tonyrod

hi Alain, welcome to the forum, we have two Manchester Soldiers in Foncquevillers  I would be grateful for any grave photo's from cemetery's  close to you,  see our flicker site photo's on main site,  https://www.flickr.com/photos/74178729@N00/
enjoy your stay shout out if you need any help , tonyrod

PTE,303161 BOUGHTON, A
Grave Reference II. D. 1.

2/Lieutenant  JOHNSTON, ROBERT LOUDON
Grave Reference I. K. 28.

alain dubois

#6
Hi,
No problem, I add "Manchester Regiment" to my list. ( Sometimes I think I should take a picture of each grave of each cemetery, but often it's too much for my old knees)
There is some graves in Valenciennes St Roch, I'll go at the first sun ray. But, how to know what graves are in the Flickr album ? Is there a directory ?
Regards
Alain

Tim Bell

Hi Alain,

The photo of Robert Johnston's grave is quite significant as the 1st member of 17th Battalion to be killed in France.  Copied from Kingo's work in the 17th Battalion Index:-
On the 13th December the 17th Battalion was to suffer its first Battle casualty when Second Lieutenant Robert Loudon Johnston, Officer Commanding the transport section was killed by an anti aircraft shell at Bayencourt.  Second Lieutenant Johnson was the Son of Robert and Julia Johnston of Kersal and was 24 years old when he was killed. Prior to the War, he had worked at Fred Taylor & Sons, a cotton manufacturers and merchants of Bloom Street in Manchester. Second Lieutenant Johnston had worked with Arthur Taylor who was instrumental in the raising of the Pals Battalions in 1914 and who subsequently became Staff Captain to the 90th Infantry Brigade Headquarters. Second Lieutenant Johnston is buried in Fonquevillers Military Cemetery.

I realise Belgium is another country, but if your passing Harlebeke New British Cemetery Plot XIV. C. 3.(approx 80km), a photo of my grandfather's cousin's grave would be appreciated http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=7746.0  There are 4 Manchesters men there.
KENWORTHY   F   57330   16TH BN
MARSLAND     GR          275849         2ND/7TH BN
MCLEAN   W   46841   2ND/23RD BN
RIDGE       A   1095   18TH BN

Following one Platoon and everything around them....
[url="http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/"]http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/[/url]

alain dubois

Tim :On my list! Curious that Harlebeke New British Cemetery be ... at Harelbeke !
Alain

tonyrod

Alain, click on the link,  it takes you to the Manchester war graves listed by the cemetery;s. and the photos we have from each one,  a  good few are full sets, 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchester-regiment/sets/

alain dubois

OK, wonderful album !
According to CWGC Database there are 2432 names of Manchester Regiment's men in Belgium (115 cemeteries in 25 cities), and 8563 in France, (420 cemeteries in 19 departments ! Pas de Calais:142  Somme:135, Nord: 82 Aisne: 31, aso) a great job to do.
Alain

alain dubois

#11
Hi
And now, I have the 23 of the Valenciennes St-Roch Cemetery, how to do ??
Regards
Alain

Tim Bell

Tap tonyrod's name above and his email is shown as part if his profile.
Good work Alain
Following one Platoon and everything around them....
[url="http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/"]http://17thmanchesters.wordpress.com/about/[/url]

tonyrod

hi Alain, received your email,sorry for missing your last post, we all look forward seeing the photos, hope your knee's are ok, ;D Tony