New Member saying hello - 12th Battalion

[Tivvy]

Hello everyone,
ive joined at this most special time, to try and find some more information about my Grandfathers brother;

Private John Rainsbury
6046
12th Battalion Manchester Regiment
Died 26-8-1918
Buried in the ADANAC Military Cemetary, Miraumont , France.

I believe that this is his photograph


My late father also served with the Regiment in Berlin and Malaya 1949 -1952 ish.

[PhilipG]

Tivvy,

Welcome to the Forum.

The 12th Manchesters were part of the 17th (Northern) Division which consisted of three brigades, one of which was 52 Brigade.    It was in this brigade that the 12th Manchesters served.

At 4 am on the 25th August 1918 the battalion was in an attack on the Thiepval Ridge.   The progress of the advance was excellent, Martinpuich being captured.     At 5 am on the 26th August the advance continued.    However, it started badly, but all resistance was eventually overcome and a further advance of 2500 yards was made.  Unfortunately, casualties were suffered and 19 Other Ranks were killed, which must have included Pte Rainsbury.    PhilipG

[Tivvy]

Thank you so much for your reply.
Family tradition has it that John was injured on the 24th and died on the 26th, although i have no formal
evidence for this or any other details regarding him.

[PhilipG]

Tivvy,

"Soldiers Died" has him listed as Killed in Action and not "Died of Wounds" or "Died" - a usually reliable work of reference.    PhilipG.

[Tivvy]

ah, i see. thank you so much.

[pete th]

Welcome Tivvy

[charlie]

Welcome to the forum Tivvy,
He landed in France 07.09.1915, his War Gratuity of £14, which was paid to his mother Elizabeth, indicates an enlistment date of July 1915. The records of soldiers effects also state that he was KiA.

Charlie

[charlie]

The information provided by the CWGC suggests that ADANAC Cemetery was not his original place of burial. The GRR has „Exhumations“ written at the top and also, if I have understood the cemetery history correctly, the cemetery was made after the war.

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/183867/rainsbury,-/

[Tivvy]

Thank you all for the welcome and the additional information.
You helped make yesterday all the more poignant and myself eager to learn more.