9th Battalion men who signed for the Machnie Gun Corps

[0285Braithy31]

Hi
I'm looking for information on a man that joined the Machine Gun Corps fro the 9th Manchester Regiment, his records were destroyed by fire in WW2 raids and its getting really difficult to find any information on him, any ideas please I'd be really grateful

Joseph Dolan born 17th April 1895 died 1965 Ashton-u-lyne; 9th Battalion Manchester regiment PTE 3078; became a machine gunner PTE 351299. Wounded and discharged  from service October 1917.

Regards
Graham

[charlie]

Hello Graham, welcome to the forum.

I cannot find anything in the surviving records that link him to the MGC. Is it possible that he was a Machine Gunner with the Manchesters?
The information in the Medal Rolls record that he arrived on Gallipoli on 23.07.1915 and served with the 1/9th Bn. At some stage he was attached to a Garrison Bn of the Essex Regt, possibly the 1st Garrison Bn as they served on Gallipoli for a short while between September 1915 and February 1916.

Both the numbers you quote are Manchester Regt numbers. He enlisted on 16.11.1914 and as you know was discharged on 09.10.1917 aged 46.

Charlie

[0285Braithy31]

Hi Charlie
Thanks for replying so soon,
It is possible that he stayed with the Manchesters, anythings possible as there is so little info on him, would there be any medical records held anywhere to check other than his service record.
Regards
Graham

[charlie]

Graham,
It's a very long shot as only about 2% have survived but "Forces War Records" have transcribed the remaining Hospital Admission and Discharge books, whether the project is finished or not I do not know.

You could also try the archives of the local, to where he lived at the time, newspapers.

222 men from the 2/9th Bn arrived at Gallipoli as reinforcements for the 1/9th Bn on 23.07.1915 which, I think it is safe to say, included Pte Dolan.

Charlie

[0285Braithy31]

Hi,
Thanks for that, is it possible there is another Joseph Dolan, according to the family when he was discharged he was 22, not 46.

The MGC connection is based on his daughter's knowledge of him and family say so, not quite as reliable, but they do talk of attachment to MBC not transfer.

Graham

[0285Braithy31]

#Attachment to MGC, oops

[PhilipG]

Graham,

Have you considered contacting "The Machine Gun Corps (MGC) Research Database" which apparently has extensive details of men who served with the MGC?  It may be that those operating the site are presently on holiday.    PhilipG.

[charlie]

Graham,
There is only 1 other Joseph Dolan in the Manchesters, he was KiA in 1914. Are you sure that he served in the Manchester Regt, have you any proof? or are you assuming that he did because of where he was born/lived?

There are over 20 Joseph Dolans who served overseas in the war, two of these also served with the MGC, one in the Scottish Rifles and the other in the Northumberland Fusilers.

Charlie

[0285Braithy31]

Hi Charlie

I'm researching on behalf of an old couple (His daughter and her husband) who recent found some of Joseph's things, Joseph Dolan is listed on the discharges of the Ashton Pals website and has the same number they gave me 3078 so its safe to assume that he was in the Manchesters on discharge.

I'll certainly check with the MGC, have you got a link save looking it up.

Regards
Graham

PS, By the way the old couple spoke to me when I gave a talk on Passchendaele last week, recounting the Manchesters "Road to Passchendaele" and the 2nd/9th's massacre, I'm in contact with them and will do the research for them.

Really grateful for your help.

[charlie]

Hello Graham,
Thanks for the confirmation of his details. As his number is correct it can only mean that his age in the SWB roll is incorrect. Considering the numbers involved mistakes will have been made. Here is a link to the MGC database

http://www.machine-gun-corps-database.co.uk

Looking at his list of sources he is using the same ones that have been used here.

Charlie

[0285Braithy31]

Hi Charlie
Very grateful for the info. and thanks for the link.
Regards
Graham