Capt. George Lloyd Higginbottom M. Reg & M.G.C.

[NewmanNoggs]

Hello,

 

I would be v. grateful for some help in researching my Ancestor George Lloyd Higginbottom 

On 28th August 1914 at the age of 18 he joined the Cheshire Yeomanry but on 7th April 1915 he was discharged “ in consequence of termination of engagement ”. The next day he was commissioned 2nd Lt in the 4th Battalion, Manchester R.

Was this unusual? And is this why The Gazette called him an officer of the Spec. Res.?

Just over a month later on 16th May 1915 he was in France. Is there any way to find out what company he was in? (I am assuming that the 4th Battalion was a “City” Battalion and AKA the 19th Battalion).

On 21st Feb 1916 he was seconded for service in the Machine Gun Corps and the next mention I have of him is on 16th Sept 1918 when the Gazette has the citation for his award of the MC. He was now Lt. George Lloyd Higginbottom Manch. R. and M.G.C.

Is there any way to discover the Machine Gun Companies he was in? Would they have been part of the Manchester  Reg? I know that  he was demobbed from the 39th (Army) M.G Brigade (or Battalion - the word is smudged)

 

Many Thanks to all who have taken the time to read through this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HarryBrook]

This does not answer your questions but may be of interest: 

His promotion to Lt. was dated 1 November 1916 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29874/supplement/12464 (heading showing date of effect is page 12463). 

He was also Mentioned in Despatches https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30704/supplement/6166 (Douglas Haig's despatch of 7 April 1918).

[themonsstar]

The 4th Bn was a reserve Bn. And not the 4th City (19th) Bn and did not go overseas until the end of 1915.The Medal Index Card has him moving overseas (France) 16th May 1916 so he may have been with the the 19th Bn.

 

On the Medal Roll for the BWM & VM he is down as a Captain. I can not find him for 1915 overseas yet.

 

 

His Officers Corespondent file is at the NA Kew WO339/87156

 

• records of officers who finished serving before 1922, by first and last name in WO 339. WO 339 includes officers who were given a temporary commission in the regular army, those who were commissioned into the Special Reserve of officers and those who were regular army officers before the war.

Edited 21 March , 2019 by themonsstar

[HarryBrook]

Carrying on his promotions from the L.G.

 

Promoted to the acting rank of Capt. whilst 2nd in command of a Company 20 March 1918 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30779/supplement/7878

Relinquished the rank of Acting Capt. on ceasing to be 2nd I.C. of a Company 8 April 1918, re-appointed to the rank of Acting Capt. whilst 2nd I.C. a Company 10 May 1918 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30818/supplement/8978

Relinquished the acting rank of Capt. on ceasing to be employed with the Machine Gun Corps 29 January 1919 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31294/supplement/4964

Relinquished his commission 1 April 1920 and granted the rank of Capt. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/32033/supplement/8841 (under 4th Bn. Manchester Regt.)

[clk]

Hi NewmanNoggs,

 

5 hours ago, NewmanNoggs said:

Is there any way to discover the Machine Gun Companies he was in?

 

George appears to have been awarded his MC for his actions along the Amiens Road on the 28th March 1918, whilst with the 39th Battalion MGC. The war diary is here on Ancestry, or here at the National Archives.

 

Images sourced from the National Archives - file WO 389/7

 

Image sourced from the National Archives - file WO 389/15

 

Regards

Chris

 

 

[NewmanNoggs]

Many Thanks All

 

Harry you are right he did not not go overseas until May  1916 - I really must get my facts straight before posting!

 

thanks for all the links the Mons Star

 

And thanks for the Info CLK 

 

I have loads to go to go on now thanks to you helpful people.

Edited 21 March , 2019 by NewmanNoggs