5th Battalion Tank Corp April 1918

[Brownie]

Thanks very much, John, I had looked for Bates and Brown on ‘Lives’, but there was very little useful info on them as you probably saw.

i knew nothing about Midgely, but very keen to see what’s available, in fact I’ll follow the link now! 
Sounds like a trip to Kew on the cards for New Year.

 

Thanks for the assistance,

Phil

[Brownie]

Just received this, John. Back in the old pre internet days, I made several trips to Kew and managed to transcribe the War HISTORY for 5 Battn. I glanced at the War Diary only briefly, intending to do the same with that. Unfortunately, life took over and I never got round to it, so very grateful to have a copy of the most relevant (to me) page.

 

Thanks again, 

Phil

[johntaylor]

Re Lives of the First World War, if everyone had done the same as this family then it would be an incredibly useful resource!  It's amazing to find an account by Bion on there, though it's sadly the exception rather than the rule. I'll be very interested to see if your visit to Kew turns up any statements from these officers' files, and will keep my fingers crossed.

 

All the best, John

[Brownie]

You’re absolutely right about ‘Lives’ John. When it was ‘active’ I added sone stories and photos, but nothing like the item on Midgley’s page. In some ways it’s a pity it’s not still accessible for uploading, but I suppose it’s a question of maintaining the site. Still, as you say , Bion’s letter is amazing, as is the sketch map.

 

All the best, 

Phil

[Ralphed]

I know it's been a while since i started this topic but something has come to light, Re; Haylock. 

 

Having a bit of a delve through ancestry, i found a pension record for Haylock on Fold. On there it states that Haylock was killed on the 16th of April and not the 19th as per CWGC. This would tie in with the others also killed on that date in Meteren. So thanks to all who provided the info. 

 

I have looked on ancestry at all of the men killed that day in hope that there'd be a (group/tank) photo but only found a pic of one man.   

[Terry_Reeves]

Charles William Midgley was born on 4 May 1896 at King's Norton, Birmingham. He served originally with 30 section, 188 Special Company RE as a Corporal and was almost certainly present at the first British gas attack at Loos in September 1915. 186 Coy formed the basis of 1st Battalion Special Brigade in February 1916. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps before being commissioned into the Tank Corps. Post-war he was a school teacher. He married Winifred Mary Ogden on 14 August 1923.  In 1939 he resided at 22 James Gardens Southend. He died on 19 September 1987 at Kingsbridge , Devon, 72 years after his participation in the first British gas attack having participated in the introduction of two very different  types  warfare.

 

TR

Edited 11 August , 2020 by Terry_Reeves