alfred whitehead service number 35107

[chris askey]

hello my first entry onto the forum.Im trying to find out more information about my great uncle who died in World War 1
his name is Alfred Whitehead date of birth 15.01.1885 date of death 23.04.17.he is buried in Cuckoo Passage Cemetry in Heninel Northern France.Plot A45(56138568)He served in the 18th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.I'm trying to establish how and where he died.If anyone can help me I would be very grateful.Many thanks for any help   Chris Askey

[mack]

hiya chris
Alfred was killed in the attack on the blue line at heninel,they ran into a lot of machine gun fire from the middle and both flanks

mack

[Tim Bell]

Alfred was a L/Cpl Signaller. 17 Cavendish Road, W Didsbury late of Newton Heath. (MEN 22&23/5/1917)

[PhilipG]

Chris, welcome to the Forum.

The 18th Manchesters, to which L/Cpl Whitehead belonged, was part of the 90th Brigade of the 30th Division.   On the 23/24th April 1917 it renewed an attack on the high ground overlooking Cherisy, together with the 19th Manchesters, under the command of Brigadier-General Goodman.    The 19th Manchesters were able to make some ground and to hold on to it.  So too, was the case with the 18th battalion.  Unfortunately, they were eventually driven back suffering heavy losses, all their officers becoming casualties.


Fragments of the two Manchester Regt. battalions managed to occupy some enemy trenches half-way between the Cojeul and the Sensee, but this was a poor reward to show for the day's fighting.  PhilipG.

[charlie]

Hello Chris and welcome.

Alfred had served less than a year in the Army.

I can't add much to what has already been posted. I've attached a map showing the positions of the battalion on the 23rd. The battalion had moved into the reserve position (on the map occupied by 2/Wilts and 2nd Yorks) on the night of the 22nd/23rd. I have indicated on the map the approximate position of the Blue Line and the battalion's starting position for their part in the attack. The battalion suffered 15 Officers and 339 Other Rank Killed, wounded or missing on the 23rd.

Charlie

[PhilipG]

Charlie,

Adjacent to the figure 5 in the map you have kindly posted is "Tunnel Trench" of Siegfried Sassoon fame.    The nearby road depicted is the Heninel-Croiselles road upon which is the CWGC cemetery of that name.    Decades ago, some remains of the Hindenburg Line could be seen, but I am advised that the remains are now either removed or covered over to facilitate cultivation of the land.   PhilipG.