Manchester Regiment soldiers buried at Beaumont Hamel

[uncledavid]

After doing some research on my uncle, David Crombleholme (19708), I came across a list of members of the Manchester Regiment buried at Beaumont Hamel Cemetery, near Albert, France. I am not sure if this list has already been shared on the Forum but, if not, I hope it may be of some use. The source was the Beaumont Hamel Cemetery website from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

( The letter and number at the end defines the grave number).


ANKERS, Joseph Thomas   Private                  40515     d.5.12.16      B14
BOWERS, Walter               Private                  37317     d. 26.1.17     A63
CROMBLEHOLME, David     Private                 19708     d. 10.1.17      B71
DAWSON, G.H.                  Private                 40528     d.8.1.17        B32
HILTON, H.A.                    Lance Sergeant     19411     d.10.1.17      B77
KILSHAW, H.                     Private                 17139    d. 14.1 17      B36
LOCKETT, William R           Private                 32321    d. 10.1.17      B78
McGREAVES, Harry C         Sergeant              18660    d. 11.1.17      B72
STOUT, J                           Lance Corp           40039    d. 8.12.16      B16
THORNILEY, Percy A. H.     Captain                              d. 11.1.17      B75
WHITEHOUSE, J.               Private                  40190    d. 10.1.17      B76
WILDE, William                 Private                  36299    d. 24.1.17      A62

I apologise for not getting Captain Thorniley's number - and for the wobbly typing, but hope this is of some use for someone.

Regards, Moira

[PhilipG]

Uncledavid,

Thank you.  37317 Pte Walter Bowers was serving with the 2nd Manchesters when he died on the 26th January 1917 on the Redan Ridge, near Beaumont Hamel.   He was under the command of 2nd Lt. Wilfred Owen - the famous WW1 poet.  It was bitterly cold at that time and the ground was covered in snow.  The only shelter was that given by shell holes which could not be vacated in daylight.    Thirst was a problem.  As Owen writes to his mother on the 4th February 1917 - "the marvel is that we did not all die of cold".  He goes on: "........only one of my party actually froze to death......".    The soldier concerned was Pte Walter Bowers, age 33.

It is believed that Owen's poem "Futility" is based on this occurrence and that another of Owen's poems - "Exposure" relates to the experience of his whole platoon whilst they were holding the line on the Redan Ridge.    (I should mention that it was the Forum's expertise some years ago that assisted this identification to be made.)
PhilipG

[uncledavid]

Wow! Poor Walter Bowers. What terrible conditions those poor men had to suffer. Wilfred Owen has always been my favourite poet.He really summed up the horror and futility of war. Thanks Philip for sharing that.
Moira