ADF1946 Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 I am researching my maternal Grand Father who was a member of the Manchester Regiment. I have followed his progress from mobilisation in August 1914 until his death on October 20th 1914 Have visited his commemoration at Le Touret. There a number of gaps such as the name of the ship they embarked on from Dublin to Le Harvre (cannot make out name in war diary) They main question is how. The regiment was a regular battalion there was no talk within the family of him being a regular. ( My mother was 4 when he was killed and Grandmare never spoke about him apart from her 2/6 a week war widows pension) The 1911 census has him living at home with the occupation of labourer.Would I be able to find out more information about his volunteering and early army life? ADF1946
ralphjd Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 His name and number would help forum pals assist you, the more information you can provide the better. Ralph. Welcome to the forum by the way.
ADF1946 Posted 19 January , 2014 Author Posted 19 January , 2014 Thank you Ralph. Thomas Wingrave 8583
ralphjd Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 He has a lot of service papers (damaged) on Ancestry, no mention of his ship as far as I can see. Ralph.
GraemeClarke Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 Hi The vessel was the S.S. Buteshire http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/B-Ships/buteshire1893.html Graeme
ralphjd Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 Knew someone would come up with the answer Have you been in touch with the Manchester Regt archives Tameside, they are VERY helpful. Ralph.
KevinBattle Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 Whilst you say he wasn't a regular Army soldier, I doubt that any landing in the first wave in France after War was declared on 4th August would be anything else. He lost quite a few chums as well, those with a similar battalion Number may provide some more clues. For example, most seem to be in their early thirties, so quite seasoned, some perhaps from the South African Boer wars. KING, JAMES. Rank: Lance Corporal. Service No: 8560. Date of Death: 02/07/1916. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C. Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL LEADSOM, GEORGE. Rank: Corporal. Service No: 8545. Date of Death: 16/09/1914. Age: 36. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Memorial: LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Thomas and Lucy Leadsom, of Manchester. MAHERS, WILLIAM. Rank: Private. Service No: 8577. Date of Death: 20/10/1914. Age: 32. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Panels 34 and 35. Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of James and Kathleen Mahers, of 54, Castle St., Coventry; husband of Mary Griffiths (formerly Mahers), of 30 Court, 3 House, Spon St., Coventry. OWEN, EDMOND. Rank: Private. Service No: 8552. Date of Death: 20/10/1914. Age: 32. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Panels 34 and 35. Memorial: LE TOURET MEMORIAL Additional Information: Husband of Elizabeth Ann Owen, of 11, Debenham Avenue, Briscoe Lane, Newton Heath, Manchester. RENSHAW, THOMAS. Rank: Private. Service No: 8597. Date of Death: 26/08/1914. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Memorial: LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL. WELSH, THOMAS. Rank: Private. Service No: 8568. Date of Death: 26/08/1914. Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment. 2nd Bn. Panel Reference: Memorial: LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL Whilst G'ma may have not spoken much about him, without the efforts and sacrifices of this "contemptible little Army" as the Kaiser called them, the German Armies would probably have inflicted the same crushing defeat on the French as they had in the 1870's. He may not have a marked grave but he may well rest with his mates as a "Known Unto God" somewhere in France. EDIT: I see in 1911 his brother in law Albert, also a platelayer, was boarding with them, Alice being a Skilton. The Medal Index Card seems to indicate that his medals were returned. Had G'ma moved from Husband Street by the 1920's?
ralphjd Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 Over 600 men were killed on this date 20th October 1916, 65 of them from the 2nd Manchesters. Ralph.
John_Hartley Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 A difficult and confused day for 2/Manc which saw them forced out of their trench, retake it in two bayonet charges by "A" Company and then be forced out again. There was a chap, briefly contributing to the forum, who was writing a history of the battalion. I have a copy of his first draft of this period but, I'm guessing his project came to nothing
themonsstar Posted 19 January , 2014 Posted 19 January , 2014 Here are some bits to help with your research. Medal roll page for the BWM & VM. 14th Inf Bde WD 20th Oct 1914. 5th Division WD 20th Oct 1914. Next Next Last
ADF1946 Posted 19 January , 2014 Author Posted 19 January , 2014 Thanks to all and sorry for the delay in responding. Have a copy of the War diary, the poor souls seemed to have marched all over France. Grandma Skeletons never mentioned Grandad to me probably thought I was to young and Mum didn't seem to know to much. Grandma to busy bringing up 3 children! Plenty to now get to grips with and have made contact with Tameside library.Let you know how I get on. Andrew.
KevinBattle Posted 20 January , 2014 Posted 20 January , 2014 Aha! A family tree that really does have genuine Skeletons in it! I obviously misread as Skilton, presumably Skelton? Or genuinely Skeleton?
ADF1946 Posted 20 January , 2014 Author Posted 20 January , 2014 Kevin. Predictive text. Skelton but could be right about skeletons and cupboards?? Andrew
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