1st/5th Manchester Regiment

[Foxkarej]

I'm researching Private 41103 Sam William Cox of the 1st/5th who died of wounds aged 28 on the 5th may 1918 and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetary Gezaincourt grave I.G.28

Can anyone tell me what the likely action was that he was wounded in? of course I've no idea how long, prior to his death he sustained these wounds.

Thanks John.

[sotonmate]

John

See this page from the Long Long Trail link at top left of this page:

http://www.1914-1918.net/42div.htm

The 1/5 Manchesters were part of this 42 Division,serving as a unit of 127 Brigade with other Manchester Battalions. The narrative suggests that the Division moved to Givenchy in Nov 1917 and was engaged in construction work up to the start of the 1918 Somme offensive. I haven't yet found where the Div fought at this time but I am sure you will get to hear on this Forum. I haven't found a battle at this time,early May,either,so it may have been as a result of daily shelling,sniping raids etc. The War Diary may be able to help.It's at Kew under WO95/2660 and covers the period from Mar 1917 to Mar 1919,and is downloadable for a fee.

Your subject is likely to have died of wounds at one of the Casualty Clearing Stations nearby to the Cemetery of Gezaincourt. There were 3 British ones,numbers 3,29 and 56,as well as 1 Canadian. You can get the info on this from the CWGC site which explains how and when the cemetery came into use. If you search CWGC on cemetery and enter Bagneux you will get the page.

Best wishes

Sotonmate

[John_Hartley]

The history of 42nd Division has very little to say about this period. No attacks taking palce by either side, but the German artillery was very active and there was considerable shelling with mustard gas.

John

[Guest Peter Lomax]

I too am researching the 1/5th regiment, as quite a few of the lads played for Wigan Cricket Club and there is a plaque at the ground that shows the names of players who died in the first world war.

Trying looking on http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.ph...4&offset=80 and www.wiganworld.com for other pictures of the reigment. Not many returned home unfortunatley

[themonsstar]

Here is the WD from the 1st to the 5th May 1918.

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[themonsstar]

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You can also try the Manchesters site at:

http://themanchesters.org/

Then go to the forum

All the pics are copyright to:

All of the info is copyright to The National Archives Kew.

Tel +44(0)20 8876 3444

Website:

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

[John_Hartley]

Peter

Welcome to the Forum. My current interest is the 1/6th. In one of his letters home, the CO of the 1/5th wrote something along the lines that the two battalions got along very well in spite of their social/class differences. Have you ever come across letters home from "other ranks" to support this? Or, even better, to support the opposite?

John

[harribobs]

I'm researching Private 41103 Sam William Cox of the 1st/5th who died of wounds aged 28 on the 5th may 1918 and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetary Gezaincourt grave I.G.28

Thanks John.

Sam started off with the North Staffs probably was transfered into the Manchester Regiment probably early 1916 (ish)

[nicko576]

I too am researching the 1/5th regiment, as quite a few of the lads played for Wigan Cricket Club and there is a plaque at the ground that shows the names of players who died in the first world war.

Trying looking on http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/photo.ph...4&offset=80 and www.wiganworld.com for other pictures of the reigment. Not many returned home unfortunatley

Peter

I have done a bit of research on the 1/5th, let me know what you are after, and i will try to help.

Nick