News:

Have you visited the Battalion histories on our website? Click Here


There is much more information available on our website: Click Here

Main Menu

Snippets of the Manchester Regiment

Started by timberman, August 18, 2016, 10:46:25 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

timberman

#390
PLEASE NOTE
All of the information on this thread is taken from different sources most are copyright of groups or individuals, I have checked the use of sections on all the sites. I understand that if they are being used for non profit or non commercial use it is OK to put them on our site.
Please bear this in mind if you use any of the information on this thread.
Thank-you

If anything does infringe copyright let me know and I will gladly remove it.

I now have written permission to reproduce alot of the articles on this forum. The rest are covered by the statement above.

Neil (Timberman)




LAST PART

Drill after drill the day through. The most disagreeable cynic could hardly find occasion to vent his spleen and call them “holiday soldiers." There is always a canteen in camp or barracks. The one in the Bolton camp has been erected by Mr. John Rawstron, of Farnworth, and, as might be expected, a very complete and convenient canteen it is. The men like it. Mr. John Hooper, of the Assize Courts, Manchester, supplies the 1st Manchester with liquids and solids such as they require beyond their rations. His tent is very well fitted and liberally patronized. Mr. Edward Wilson, joiner and cabinet maker, of Lytham, has erected every structure in both camps, excepting those of canvass, and, aided by past experience, has excellently well provided all accommodation required.

On Sunday morning there was divine service in both camps, open air in that of Bolton, and in a large marquee in that of Manchester, where a choir of about forty voices took the musical part of the service. On Monday drill was commenced, and the weather has been remarkably favourable for outdoor parades so far. Each evening an entertainment is given in a large Marquee in the Manchester Camp, and great pleasure is afforded to large audiences of townspeople and others. To-day the regiment is to march to Kirkham and back, carrying their own supplies with them. The inspection of the let Manchester will take place on Thursday next, and on Friday the annual regimental sports are to come of. These were most successful last year, and were greatly enjoyed by a large concourse of spectators. The inspection of the Bolton volunteers will take place on Saturday; and on Saturday afternoon both battalions will leave Lytham for their respective head quarters.

Manchester Evening News, May 1880

Timberman

timberman

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History) who have given me permission to reproduce some of their articles on the snippets. I'm going to do a mini series on the Blue Plaques.

I'm only going to be doing the military ones these will include some non Manchester Regiment one.


About the Tameside Blue Plaques

Throughout Tameside Blue Plaques commemorate local people and places of historical importance. Artists, poets, botanists and war heroes are amongst those celebrated.

I think there are about 79 plaques at the moment but are being added too.

If you would like to see the full list go to this link.

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman :)

timberman

Ashton
A Tribute to
William Thomas Forshaw VC
1890 - 1943
...the utmost disregard to danger, ... casually lighting bomb fuses with his cigarette, and personally throwing them
continuously for forty one hours...
Nicknamed the 'Cigarette VC' for reasons which will become clear, Forshaw is honoured in the Museum of the Manchesters
in Ashton Town Hall. His Victoria Cross is on display and one of the galleries is named after him.
Forshaw came to the Tameside area at an early age but was actually born in Barrow in Furness, the son of a manager at the
Vickers Shipyard. He trained to be a teacher and took a job at the North Manchester High School for Boys in Moston. A
sociable and musical man he was a prominent member of the Ashton Operatic Society and performed at the Ashton Empire
Hippodrome.
With the outbreak of World War I, Forshaw volunteered for service with the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Territorials. By May 1915 he was a 2nd Lieutenant serving in the Dardanelles. His brave actions merited the Victoria Cross
and his nickname. The citation reads as follows :
'For most conspicuous bravery and determination at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, from 7 to 9 August 1915. When holding the northwest
corner of 'The Vineyard', Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Forshaw was attacked and heavily bombed by Turks, who
advanced time after time by three trenches which converged at this point, but he held his own, not only directing his men
and encouraging them by exposing himself with the utmost disregard to danger, but casually lighting bomb fuses with his
cigarette, and personally throwing them continuously for forty one hours. When his detachment was relieved after twenty
four hours he volunteered to continue the direction of the operations. Three times during the night of 8/9 August he was
again heavily attacked, and once the Turks got over the barricade, but after shooting three with his revolver, he led his men
forward and recaptured it. When he rejoined his battalion he was choked and sickened by bomb fumes, badly bruised by a
fragment of shrapnel, and could barely lift his arm from continuous bomb throwing. It was due to his personal example,
magnificent courage and endurance that this very important corner was held.'
Many of the bombs Forshaw threw were made from jam tins by him and his men.
In October 1915 Ashton-under-Lyne Council made Forshaw a Freeman of the Town in recognition of his role in leading men
from the Ashton area. Forshaw's later military career was as a Major in the Indian Army, from which he retired in 1922.
Back in England he lived initially near Ipswich and returned to teaching. He started two preparatory schools but sadly both
of these failed leaving him bankrupt.
During the Second World War he served with the Home Guard but he died in May 1943 at his home in Maidenhead. For
many years Forshaw's final resting place remained a mystery but in 1991 after a nine year search, local man Tom Medcroft
of Stalybridge, discovered it in Holyport near Maidenhead.
With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque
Timberman

timberman

________________________________________
Ashton

Blue Plaque   
A Tribute to

RQMS Harry Grantham MBE DCM
(1889 - 1959)

The blue plaque located at the Territorial Army Centre on Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, previously the Drill Hall of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, was unveiled on 30th October 2000 as a tribute to RQMS Harry Grantham, MBE DCM.
The Early Years
Harry Grantham was born in 1889 in Ashton-under-Lyne. He married a local girl and continued to live in the area and worked at R.A. Barrett & Co. Ltd. of Ashton-under-Lyne and later as a storekeeper at J. & E. Arnfields of Guide Bridge.
Services During the War
He enlisted in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment on 11th March 1906 and was promoted Lance Corporal in the redesignated 9th Battalion in October 1909. He was promoted Corporal in 1911 and Sergeant in 1912.
Career and Medals Awarded
Together with the rest of the Ashton Battalion he volunteered for overseas service at the outbreak of war in August 1914 and went to Egypt and guard duties on the Suez Canal. Later in the Gallipoli campaign he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for 'conspicuous gallantry and ability South of Krithia, Gallipoli Peninsula, on the 10th and 11th July 1915, when making a reconnaissance of the enemy's new trenches under very dangerous circumstances. He gained valuable information and located exactly the hostile positions'.
He was wounded and after hospital in Egypt he rejoined the battalion in Egypt. After the battles of Sinai he went to France with the battalion and was promoted Warrant Officer (Class Two) in May 1917. In August he returned to the United Kingdom and joined the Ripon Reception Battalion.
He was also one of the eight representatives of the 9th Battalion present at Buckingham Palace on 16th May 1930 on the occasion of King George V becoming Colonel-in-Chief.
He rejoined the 9th Battalion in February 1935 and was appointed Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant, a position he held until he retired in September 1943.
Services to Ex-Servicement and the Territorial Army
For many years he was the Honorary Secretary of the 9th Battalion Old Comrades Association, administering unlimited charitable funds on their behalf until ill health restricted his activities.
For his long service to the Territorial Army he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Harry died in 1959 and is buried in Dukinfield.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

For some reason there is no picture of the blue plaque on the website I will add my own later.

timberman

Ashton

Blue Plaque   
A Tribute to

Colour Sergeant William Yarwood Bebbington D.C.M. and Sergeant James Hargreaves D.C.M.

A Blue Plaque unveiled on 27th March 2007 at The Armoury, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne

Colour Sergeant William Yarwood Bebbington

William Yarwood Bebbington was born on 24 May 1916 to Joseph Yarwood Bebbington and Mary Ellen Bebbington (née Harrop), who resided at 144 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. William had three younger brothers and a sister.
In 1936 he married Ethel Foster at St James' Church, Cowhill Lane, Ashton-under- Lyne and the couple had two children. In civilian life he was employed at the Lumb Mill in Littlemoss.
He was a pre-war member of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment having enlisted as a boy in November 1932. He was appointed Lance Corporal in March 1938 and acting Sergeant on 2 September 1939, the day when the Battalion was embodied for active service.
As Sergeant (3525822) at the age of twenty-four, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery and leadership as an acting platoon commander with the 9th Battalion in the British Expeditionary Force in France. He and Sergeant James Hargreaves were the only two soldiers of the Manchester Regiment awarded the DCM in World War II.
He was ordered to carry out a reconnaissance prior to the occupation of a position. As soon as he set out to perform this duty he was wounded in the left leg, considerably handicapping his work. He completed his reconnaissance and insisted on personally issuing orders to his section commanders, although this meant travelling a considerable distance in great pain and delaying attention to his wound. His Company Commander, Major George Manwood, recommended him for the award.
After hospitalisation in the United Kingdom he was transferred in August 1940 to the 1st Battalion in Singapore as Colour Sergeant and Company Quartermaster Sergeant and was taken prisoner following the surrender on 16 February 1942. His wife, then living at 32 Waddicor Avenue, Ashton-under- Lyne, learnt in April 1942 that he was missing but it was over a year later, in May 1943, that she had confirmation that he was a Prisoner of War in Siam.
He had been one of the 320 Manchesters, knows as 'F' Force, commanded by Major Hyde, and sent by the Japanese to work on the Burma/Siam railway on 25 April the previous year. Six weeks later, on 27 June 1943 age twentyseven, he died of cholera.
Two of William's brothers also served in the army; Private Joseph Yarwood Bebbington and Private Sam Yarwood Bebbington.
Colour Sergeant Bebbington was later buried in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery in Thailand.
His widow, Ethel, lives in Tameside to this day.

Sergeant James Hargreaves

James Hargreaves was born on 31 March 1906. He had four brothers and three sisters. In 1934 he married Ivy Hall and the couple had one son, David.Ivy later died in 1955.
As a pre-war Territorial Army soldier, James Hargreaves resided at 40 Layard Street, Ashton-under-Lyne. As Sergeant (3520174) at the age of thirty-eight, he commanded 10 Platoon of 'C' Company, 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment in Italy from the crossing of the River Rubicon.
Sergeant Hargreaves was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage and leadership, described by Lieutenant Colonel Algy Parsons, his commanding officer, as 'of a very high order'. On 13 September 1944, Lieutenant Kenneth Nixon, commander of 10 Platoon, was killed and Sergeant Hargreaves took over command of the platoon. He remained in command until 9 November; during which time the platoon was in action from 13 September to 1 October and again from 11 October to 20 October.
Between 26 September and 1 October the platoon was in the area 7139671 supporting a troop of 46 Recce Regiment, which was established on the north bank of the River Rubicon. Throughout the action, although the platoon position was constantly shelled and mortared, Sergeant Hargreaves directed fire with complete disregard for his own safety and was largely instrumental in breaking up a series of enemy counterattacks on another troop position in the area 727972.
While the operations were in progress, the River Rubicon had become flooded, cutting off his platoon from the remainder of the Machine Gun Company. On two occasions Sergeant Hargreaves crossed under fire with ammunition parties, guiding them to the platoon position and enabling the guns to remain in action.
From 15 to 19 October Sergeant Hargreaves' platoon was in action before Cesena. On one occasion he was ordered to take up a forward position near the M. Romano feature. During his recce he was quick to grasp the importance of siting his guns further forward than had been anticipated, so as to produce enfilade fire behind a ridge in front of the River Savio. His intelligent appreciation of the situation resulted in a number of the enemy being trapped between his MG fire and the advancing infantry and subsequently captured.
Sergeant Hargreaves remarried in 1959, to Muriel Jolley. Two of James' brothers also served in the army; Corporal Frank Hargreaves and Captain Wilfred Hargreaves.
In civilian life James Hargreaves worked at Bowns Boilermakers of Dukinfield.
Following the war he moved to Preston where he was employed by British Rail.
James Hargreaves died in Preston on 12 January 1998.

Acknowledgements
Captain R.A. Bonner MA, Chairman, Museum of the Manchester Regiment and Tameside Local History Forum

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

Captain R. A. Bonner MA is also one of the Mods on the forum.

timberman

TA Centre, Old Street, Ashton under Lyne
The Armoury on Old Street in Ashton is the local Territorial Army training base. It was built in 1887 as a training base for volunteer soldiers, replacing an earlier building near Charlestown Station. The Volunteers were replaced by the Territorial Force following the Haldane Reforms in 1908.

It was the home of the 9th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment which began in 1859 when two companies of rifle volunteers were formed in Ashton Under Lyne, this later swelled to four companies who were attached to the 31st (Oldham) Lancashire Rifle Volunteers in 1863 and designated the 7th admin battalion. Later in 1866 they became the 23rd Lancashire Rifle Volunteers. 

A full account of the battalion and their extensive "War Diary" can be read on the Ashton Pals website: 

Users of the Armoury in 2014 include:

Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force (Ashton Detachment) 

247 Ashton under Lyne Squadron which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation, the UK's premier uniformed youth organisation. They are based at Ashton TA Centre and parade twice per week. 

207 (Manchester) Field Hospital, one of 11 Army Reserve field hospitals in the British Army with centres in Manchester, Stockport, Ashton, Bury and Blackburn and which forms part of the Army Medical Services (AMS) which provides medical support to UK Forces on operations overseas. 

Ashton under Lyne Branch of the Royal British Legion meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at The Armoury commencing at 7:30pm.

The King's and Manchester Regiments Association (Ashton-under-Lyne Branch) which is based at Ardwick Green 


In 2015 its future is in doubt:

Timberman

timberman

Ashton

Blue Plaque
Ladysmith Barracks


Sited on the gate of the former barracks on Mossley Road, Ashton this plaque commemorates the army barracks which stood on this site from 1845 and were the headquarters of the Manchester Regiment from 1881 to 1958.


With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

timberman

Ashton-Under-Lyne Town Hall.

The blue plaque is set into the wall and pays tribute to
those eight men associated with Tameside who have
been awarded the Victoria Cross.

John Buckley: 1813 - 1876
William Thomas Forshaw: 1890 - 1943
Albert Hill: 1895 - 1971
James Kirk: 1897 - 1918
Andrew Moynihan: 1831 - 1867
Arthur Herbert Procter: 1890 - 1973
Harry Norton Schofield: 1865 - 1931
Ernest Sykes: 1885 - 1949

Plaques to each of these individuals are erected in the towns with which they are associated.

Timberman

timberman

#398
Audenshaw

Blue Plaque

A Tribute to

Harry Norton Schofield VC

1865 - 1931

... rallied a number of men, limbered up two teams on the slopes of the donga, and gave the order to gallop towards the guns.

Schofield was involved in dramatic action in the Boer War for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He originated from Audenshaw the son of a chemist who had a store on Ashton New Road, Clayton. As business prospered the family moved to Ardwick and then to Whalley Range.
The young Schofield went to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich passing out as a Lieutenant in the Artillery in 1884. By 1893 he had gained the rank of Captain. In 1899 Schofield was sent to South Africa as Aide-de-Camp to General Buller, who commanded the forces of Ladysmith which was under siege by the Boers. His action in December merited the Victoria Cross. The citation reads :
'On 15th December 1899 the British reached Colenso railway station, when a Boer force opened up a tremendous fire on them from entrenched positions across the Tugela River. General Butler ordered the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Artillery and Naval guns, to support the British advance, and they were placed in the open a thousand yards from the enemy. Boer rifle fire rained down on them and soon many of the drivers and teams serving the guns had been killed or wounded. The survivors were forced to retreat and take cover in a donga (a steep-sided water course), about five hundred yards to the rear. Captain Schofield was riding with General Buller when the commander expressed a wish to try to get some of the guns away. Captain Schofield rallied a number of men, limbered up two teams on the slopes of the donga, and gave the order to gallop towards the guns. The Boers opened fire on them again, but after several attempts they managed to limber up two of the guns belonging to the 66th Battery and saved them from capture.'
During this action a total of six bullets passed through Captain Schofield's clothes.
Schofield's subsequent postings resulted in promotion to Major and the award of the South African medal with six clasps. He returned from active service in 1905 and in 1911 became a member of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in the service of King George V.
In the First World War he served on the British Remount Commission in America and Canada, and as Commandant on Lines of Communication, British Expeditionary force, retiring again as a Lieutenant-Colonel.
In June 1917 he married Dorothy Vere. He died in 1931 in London, leaving two sons and a daughter. His funeral was held at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace.
Blue Plaque

A blue plaque to commemorate the life of Harry Norton Schofield is sited at Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

timberman

Audenshaw

Blue Plaque

A Tribute to

RQM's Henry Code, DCM

1869 - 1934

The blue plaque is located at his former family home, 122 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw.

The Early Years

John Henry Code was born on 16th February 1869. He married Elizabeth Marsden in 1896, fathering 2 girls and 2 boys. Up until 1910, the family lived at 122 Droylsden Road, Audenshaw before moving elsewhere in the local area. Employed as a carpenter for Clayton Gas Works, his employers released him to serve in annual Territorial Army camps.
Services During the War
He enlisted in the 5th (Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 15th March 1886 and was promoted to sergeant in December 1890. In 1892, John Henry Code won the 'Singleton' trophy for his sharp shooting, something that was to become a habit. In 1908 the Battalion was designated the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion. He served during the Boer War in the Imperial Yeomanry. He was promoted Colour Sergeant in December 1902, and continued his service, gaining recognition as being an excellent marksman. In June 1914, he is shown as being a joint top scorer of the Battalion along with Captain Oldfield at the Altcar Rifle Meeting.
Career and Medals Awarded
In September 1914, the Ardwick Battalion sailed to Egypt and later Gallipoli. John Henry Code was now appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant and was a constant inspiration to his comrades in the Battalion . His work at Gallipoli gained him the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It was later gazatted as: "Conspicuous gallantry, devotion to duty and continuing good services, his courage and skill has been most marked". He later went on to serve in France for the remainder of the War.
Code Junior
Like his father, Harold Code followed in his father's footsteps. He is pictured at the top of this page with John Henry at the 1909 Summer Camp in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Harold continued his service and was commissioned into the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant. Unfortunately, on the 25th August 1918, Harold was killed in action on the Thiepval Ridge - he was only 21 years old.
Other Interests
After the First World War, John Henry Code left the army and rejoined his former employer, Manchester Council at Clayton Gas Works. In 1920, he founded St. Andrews Ladies Hockey Team based at Edge Lane, Droylsden, where both his daughters played for several years. John Henry retired from the Council's employment in 1934. A little over a week later, he died of natural causes on the 27th February.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

timberman

A Tribute to

Albert Hill VC

1895 - 1971   

...surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen... this conduct throughout was magnificent

The town of Denton has proud links with Albert Hill who, despite being a weak and frail child, became a great soldier awarded the Victoria Cross for his action at the Somme.
Born in 1895, Hill was one of ten children. The family lived in Hulme but in 1907 moved to Peacock Street in Denton. After schooling at the Trinity Wesleyan School, Hill started work at the Alpha Mill and then became an apprentice planker at Wilson Hat Manufacturers on Wilton Street.
In August 1914 he was accepted for the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served in France and also in Flanders. His VC citation reports his gallantry :
'For most conspicuous bravery. On 20 July 1916, during the Somme Offensive, when 15280 Private Hill's battalion had been deployed under heavy fire, for an attack on the enemy in Delville Wood, France, the order to charge was given and he dashed forward. He met two of the enemy and bayoneted them both. Later, he was sent by his platoon sergeant, Hugh Green, to contact the enemy, and found himself cut off, being surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant of his company and helped him to fight the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer, Captain Scales, and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted to bring in the mortally wounded Officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finally, he himself captured two of the enemy and brought them in as prisoners. His conduct throughout was magnificent'.
Hill was feted on his return to Denton in October 1916. The crowds carried him on high and he received many gifts. The following month he received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace. He was also awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Russian Cross of St George of the First Class and three campaign medals.
In February 1919, Hill returned to work at Wilson's Factory. He married Doris Wilson of Hyde on Valentine's Day the following year. They lived on High Street, Denton until 1923, when they emigrated to the United States. Hill found work as a building labourer. He tried to enlist when World War II broke out but was advised to do defence work instead.
In 1956 Hill made a brief return to England for the VC Centenary Celebrations. He died in Pawtucket in 1971 leaving a widow, three daughters and a son. He was buried with military honours at Hightown Memorial Park, Johnson, Rhode Island.
Hill Court in Wrexham is named after him and his medal is in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Regimental Museum.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman

timberman

Bit more on Albert Hill VC

b. 24/05/1895 Manchester. d. 17/02/1971 Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Albert Hill (1895-1971) was born at Hulme, Greater Manchester on 24th May 1895. His father was Thomas Hill, whose profession was a coal miner. His mother, Elizabeth nee Pegg, was a charwoman. They married in 1869 at Lichfield, Staffordshire. Albert had at least nine siblings. One of his brothers was killed in action on the Somme and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Albert was educated at Trinity Wesleyan School, Denton, Manchester. He was employed at Alpha Mill and then as an apprentice hat maker with Messrs Joseph Wilson & Sons Ltd, in Denton. Albert enlisted on 3rd August 1914 and went to France on 27th September 1915, with his brother Joseph, sailing from Dover on SS Onward. The Battalion arrived at Hooge on 15th October.

On 20th July 1916, during the Somme Offensive, when 15280 Private Hill's battalion had been deployed under heavy fire, for an attack on the enemy in Delville Wood, France, the order to charge was given and he dashed forward. He met two of the enemy and bayoneted them both. Later, he was sent by his platoon sergeant, Hugh Green, to contact the enemy, and found himself cut off, being surrounded by over twenty Germans. He threw two hand grenades, killing and wounding about eighteen and scattering the remainder. He then joined a sergeant of his company and helped him to fight the way back to the lines. When he got back, hearing that his Company Officer, Captain Scales, and a scout were lying out wounded, he went out and assisted to bring in the mortally wounded Officer, two other men bringing in the scout. Finally, he himself captured two of the enemy and brought them in as prisoners. His conduct throughout was magnificent.

He received his VC ribbon from Brigadier General RJ Kentish DSO at Enquin-les-Mines at the same time as Corporal Joseph Davies, on 30th September 1916. The VC was presented by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 18th November 1916. Albert received a hero’s welcome on his return to Denton on 12th October 1916 and was thereafter known as “Denton’s VC” or the “Hatters VC”. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre on 9th December 1916. Albert also served as an orderly to Lieutenant William Murrell Lummis MC, who later became an early researcher into the VC.

Albert was demobilised on 16th February 1919 and returned to his pre-war job. On 14th February 1920 he married Doris May nee Wilson at St George’s Church, Hyde. She was a cardroom operative. They decided to emigrate to the United States on 12th May 1923 aboard RMS Scythia for Boston, Massachusetts, arriving on 21st May. They settled at Central Falls for ten years before moving to Pawtucket, Rhode Island in 1933. They were naturalised as Americans in 1944. They had four children â€" Joan, Lawrence, Hazeldean and Joyce.

Albert was employed as a bricklayer’s labourer with HM Soule Construction Company. He tried to enlist during the Second World War, but was advised to do defence work instead. He attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2nd June 1953 and during his stay in Britain went back to Denton on 3rd July.

Albert died at Pawtucket Memorial Hospital, Rhode Island on 17th February 1971 and is buried in Highland Memorial Park, Pawtucket. In addition to his VC, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-19, George VI Coronation Medal 1937, Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 and the French Croix de Guerre 1915 with Bronze Palme. His VC is held by the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum, Caernarfon Castle.

LOCATION OF MEDAL: ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS MUSEUM, CAERNARFON, WALES.

timberman

Droylsden

A Tribute to

James Kirk VC

1897 - 1918   

The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties'
James Kirk died tragically young and is the only one of the Tameside VC's to have been awarded the medal posthumously. His death came shortly before the end of the First World War.
Kirk was born in Cheadle Hulme and educated in the town, and later in Stockport. On moving to Edge Lane, Droylsden he continued his education at the North Road United Methodist School at Clayton. He is remembered as being a keen and successful sportsman.
His first employment was as a clerk for Ogden and Madeleys Warehouse in Manchester but with the onset of War he joined the 2/6th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Following rigorous training in England he joined the war effort at the Dardanelles in 1915.
Kirk suffered severe frostbite resulting in hospitalisation in Cairo throughout November and December 1915. However, by January 1916 he was fit to return to active service and soon rejoined the Manchesters as a Private in the 10th Battalion.
He served in France and enjoyed returning home for Christmas in 1917. In June 1918 he was made 2nd Lieutenant and he returned to France on 8th October 1918. For his action on 4th November, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the citation reads :
'For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors, France, on 4 November 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal with wooden floats linked together. To cover the bridging of the canal Lieutenant Kirk took a Lewis Gun, and under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position until he was instantaneously wounded in the face and arm, then killed at his gun by a machine-gun bullet to the head.
The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.'
The war poet Wilfred Owen whose work features in the Museum of the Manchesters in Ashton died alongside Kirk. They were buried at the English Communal Cemetery at Ors.
Seven days after Kirk's death was Armistice Day - the end of the war. It should have been a day of rejoicing in Droylsden but people were saddened as news of the death of their local soldier reached them. A letter from Kirk's Commanding Officer to James Kirk Senior sent consolation and a tribute :
'His action was that of a true British soldier and will remain long in the memory of all who saw it.'


With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque




Timberman

timberman

Bit more on James Kirk

b. 27/01/1897 Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire. d. 04/11/1918 Oise Canal, France.



Kirk was born on 27 January 1897 in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire to James and Rachel Kirk. Kirk was a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the 10th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, British Army, attached to the 2nd Battalion during the First World War when the actions that led to his recognition took place.
VC ACTION
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th Nov., 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal. To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machine-gun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained a covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun. The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.



LOCATION OF MEDAL: MILITARY MEDAL MUSEUM, SAN JOSE, USA.

BURIAL PLACE: ORS COMMUNAL CEMETERY, ORS, FRANCE.


Timberman

timberman

Droylsden

A Tribute to

Arthur Herbert Procter VC
1890 - 1973

.... though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, ... dressed their wounds ... cheering them with the promise of rescue
Arthur Herbert Procter did not become associated with Tameside until after his glorious military career. He was born in Bootle and educated at Port Sunlight and Exeter. His first employment was at the Corn Exchange in Liverpool. In November 1914 Procter joined the war effort enlisting with the 1/5th Battalion, the King's (Liverpool) Regiment; Territorial Forces. His gallantry in June 1916 in saving two comrades resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross. The citation reads :
'For most conspicuous bravery at Ficheux, France, on 4th June 1916, 3156 Private Procter, noticing some movement on the part of two wounded men who were lying in the open in full view of the enemy at about seventy five yards in front of our trenches, went out on his own initiative, and though heavily fired at, ran and crawled to the two men, got them under cover of a small bank, dressed their wounds and after cheering them with the promise of rescue after dark, and leaving them with some of his clothing for warmth, regained our trenches again being heavily fired at. At dusk both men were brought in alive.'
He received his Victoria Cross from King George V in France and on his return to Liverpool had a hero's welcome being paraded through the streets and given a gold watch.
In 1918 Procter married Hilda Codd in Birkenhead who bore him a son, Arthur in 1919. Procter now decided on a new vocation and practiced for the Church. He was ordained in 1927.
During the 1930's he was vicar of St Stephens Church, Bennett Street, Hyde. In the Second World War he served as a chaplain in the Royal Air Force after which he was vicar of St Mary's Church in Droylsden.
In 1951 he moved to St Peters Church in Claybrook, Leicester and finally to Sheffield where he died in January 1973 aged eighty two.
Sheffield Cathedral houses a memorial tablet to Procter whilst his Victoria Cross is at the National Museums and Galleries of Merseyside.

With thanks to Tameside MBC (Military History)

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/blueplaque

Timberman