2/6th Battalion position on 21/03/1918

[Tommy1918]

I plan to be in France on the 21/03/2018 for the 100th anniversary of my Grandad's death [303395 L/Cpl, James Alfred Ryder, MM]. He served with A coy, 2/6th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment. I believe he was in the region of Villeret Village on the 21/03/1918 but have no other details. Would anyone 'out there' have any further information to help me with my quest? In particular, exactly where A coy was on the morning of the 21st as it is my intention to be as close as possible to the area where he died. The only other information I have is that he was taken prisoner and was killed in an attempt to escape.

In addition I would be very grateful if I could be directed to information sites that could assist me to further research my Grandad's employment before he joined up. He worked as a railway porter at Oldham Road Good Depot, Manchester.

 With much gratitude [in advance], Chris   

[Tim Bell]

Hi Chris,
This sounds like a great journey.  I hope others may help with more records for 2/6th Bttn.

Have a look on a previous thread for some info http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=6096.0 and there's a photo of James here https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/dedication-wall/73/james-ryder

The source data for the records of him being killed escaping may help.

Welcome
Tim

[charlie]

Hello Chris, welcome to the Forum.

Unfortunately the War Diary of the 2/6th Bn for March 1918 was either lost or destroyed. The actions of the battalion were written up at a later date from memory so the entries are not as accurate as one would like.

On the 21st March A Company was the lefthand company of the lefthand battalion of 199th Brigade and were situated in the „Red Line“ - see the 1st map which is from the brigade War Diary - which was the Villeret Support line.

The 2/6th Bn War Diary has the following entry for 11.15am on the 21st:

„Enemy reported to have entered the RED LINE between the left and right Companies (A & C), hand to hand fighting took place, but due to mist enemy was able to surround both Companies“.

On the 2nd map I have marked the area, as best I can, where A Coy was at this time.

Here is a link to a trench map from February 1918 overlaid on a modern day map, the transparency can be adjusted using the slider bottom left.

http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=14.720795836091698&lat=49.9552&lon=3.1726&layers=101465290&b=1

Charlie

[charlie]

Map 2

[Tommy1918]

Hi Charlie, I was aware of some of the information you've highlighted but the info you've provided regarding A Coy's location and the map attachments are invaluable. Thanks to your help I may even be able to 'walk' in the footsteps of my Grandad. With gratitude, Chris.

[charlie]

Chris,
Glad to have been able to help. Are you aware that his death was, according to the records of soldiers effects, assumed to have been sometime between the 21st and 31st March so not necessarily on the 21st?

Charlie

[Tommy1918]

Hi Charlie,
Once again thanks for your info. I realise the actual date [21st] of my Grandad's death may be suspect! However, that is the date which my family has always regarded as his anniversary and has some basis in fact. After the end of the war my Grandmother received a visit from two of my Grandad's 'pals' who served alongside him and gave first hand information that on that day [the 21st] he was captured by the Germans and during an attempt to escape he was killed.
With my thanks for your interest in 'my story'.
Chris