Private Albert Witkiss, 21st Manchesters.

[Andy]

I am looking into a relative on my wife's side who died in 1917.

His name was as above, but I dont understand how sevice numbers "work"

His number was 48781, and he does not appear in the book "Manchester City Battalions" book of honour. From this, I guess he was not an origional member of the Battalion.

How would he have got this number? Is there a probable time he enlisted?

I know there a few Manchesters experts out there, in fact I can feel the air alongside the A34 being blown into a frenzy as I write.

Andy Fitton.

[John_Hartley]

Andy

Did you mean me, by any chance? The air along the A34 has now subsided enough for me to type. So here goes.

You're right. He's not an original Pal. Their numbers only went up to around 22000.

I've had a whizz through my copy of SDGW and the first one with a number in the series 487?? died on 2/4/17. And then there were several upto when Albert got it. He is actually the only one in this series to serve with the 21st, so presumably new recruits were scattered around the various Manc Bns.

I don't know what you've already got, but SDGW shows him as born Whitchurch; enlisted Failsworth; resided Newton Heath, Manchester.

My history of the 21st (which I have recently found out is not always entirely accurate!!) records that "On the 24th, it was at La Clytte and later in the day at Lock 8. The battalion took up assembly positions at night, preparatory to going into the line for the intended attack on 26th October."

It's a briefish history so probably doesnt record all the drafts, but it does mention several drafts in September 1916 and I'd be happy to make a pretty good guess that this would be around the time he joined. Certainly the Bn had a fairly quiet few months between the September and the April casualty I mention above.

For info, SDGW only mentions one other Witkiss - chap from Wolverhampton.

Hope this helps. Say hello to Wendy for me.

John

[Andy]

Hello mate,

Of course I meant you!

I ran a thread about his man last year, but forgot to ask about his service number.

The Wolves man is his brother, the family worked on the canals, probably born on working boats. They are both Wens grandfathers brothers, he survived.

See you at easter,

Andy.