2/8th Manchester Regiment War Diary 1917

[Mark Hone]

I am trying to find out as much as I can about the award of the MM to the great-grandfather of one of my pupils. Private (later Lance Corporal) James Alfred Ryder of 2/8th Manchesters won his MM in the latter part of 1917, almost certainly around the time of 66th Division's participation in the Battle of Poelkappelle on 9th October 1917. Family legend has it that he was awarded the medal for carrying messages under shell fire. 2/8th Manchesters was part of 199 Brigade , which was the reserve brigade for the 66 Div's attack on 9th October. I am wondering if the War Diary might shed any light on the award of his MM. Unfortunately it is not currently available online. Ryder was subsequently transferred to 2/6th Manchesters when the 2/8th was 'culled' in February 1918 and died on the first day of the German Spring Offensive a month later. He is commemorated on Poizieres. I shall be featuring the 66th Division attack in my 2012 tour, as there are several connections to former pupils of our school and would like to find out as much detail about Ryder as possible in advance of this.

[John_Hartley]

Nothing of any help in the diary, I'm afraid.

I've read it through from summer 1917 until Feb 18 and there's no mention of him, medal awards or any specific event that's be likely. As you say, the battalion was in the forward area in early October so this might be it.

John

[Mark Hone]

Thanks for looking John. It was a bit of a long shot but some War Diaries do mention awards.

[Hesadevil]

I am trying to find out as much as I can about the award of the MM to the great-grandfather of one of my pupils. Private (later Lance Corporal) James Alfred Ryder of 2/8th Manchesters won his MM in the latter part of 1917, almost certainly around the time of 66th Division's participation in the Battle of Poelkappelle on 9th October 1917. Family legend has it that he was awarded the medal for carrying messages under shell fire. 2/8th Manchesters was part of 199 Brigade , which was the reserve brigade for the 66 Div's attack on 9th October. I am wondering if the War Diary might shed any light on the award of his MM. Unfortunately it is not currently available online. Ryder was subsequently transferred to 2/6th Manchesters when the 2/8th was 'culled' in February 1918 and died on the first day of the German Spring Offensive a month later. He is commemorated on Poizieres. I shall be featuring the 66th Division attack in my 2012 tour, as there are several connections to former pupils of our school and would like to find out as much detail about Ryder as possible in advance of this.

James Alfred Ryder was my Great Uncle. I have no details of what he was awarded the MM for, though it was Listed in the London Gazette for 14th January 1918.

Thank you for the snippet of family legend. JA was my paternal grandmother's brother and his war service was never mentioned by her family.

Patricia

[Mark Hone]

A pleasure. His great-grandson ( a regular on my battlefields tours, now at University) laid a small wreath in his honour during our 2012 tour.

[Hesadevil]

A pleasure. His great-grandson ( a regular on my battlefields tours, now at University) laid a small wreath in his honour during our 2012 tour.

Could you PM the name of the great grandson. I have been trying to find JA's descendents for many years.

[Guest]

Nothing of any help in the diary, I'm afraid.

I've read it through from summer 1917 until Feb 18 and there's no mention of him, medal awards or any specific event that's be likely. As you say, the battalion was in the forward area in early October so this might be it.

John

John

I wonder if there is any mention of second lieutenant George Herbert Stanley Moyce in the diary? He was KIa 19th April 1918. Grateful for any help if you have a moment

Thanks

Matt

[John_Hartley]

Matt

No mention of him in the diary.

I see he's buried at Rouen which makes it most unlikely that he was KIA. Died of wounds or illness while in one of the hospitals there. The 2/8th was disbanded in February so it is probable that he had been transferred to another battalion (in which case CWGC has his unit wrong) or he had been in hospital for a long time and was still designated as 2/8th (also odd, you wouldnt have expected him to be still in hospital in France for maybe 3 or more months. You probably need his service file at Kew to resolve this.

John