The Seventh Manchesters, S. J. Wilson [most important books to read TXT] 📗

of December the 42nd division marched up into Belgium

to Charleroi, the 127th brigade being quartered at Fleurus, a delightful

village about six miles out of the town. Here the men of the 7th had a

most happy time, for the villagers welcomed us right gladly and made us

extremely comfortable in our billets. Turkeys, beer, extra vegetables

and rum once more figured in the ‘Xmas fare and it was with really

rejoicing hearts that the Fleur de Lys spent their last Yuletide away

from home. “C” company maintained the prowess of the battalion by

securing the divisional prize for the best decorated dining hall.

Later, chiefly through the efforts of C.S.M. Branchflower and Sgt.

Aldred, M.M., we carried off the divisional cup for boxing.

 

On ‘Xmas Eve the first of a series of events at once sad and joyful

began to occur. Long-standing friendships and partnerships were rapidly

broken up by the departure of drafts for demobilisation. Every few days

parties went off, and one saw old faces gradually disappear from our

ranks. The return, in the midst of glorious weather, of Capt. Barratt

and Lt. Gresty, M.C. from Manchester, with the battalion colours was the

occasion for a splendid ceremonial parade in which the Belgians took a

lively interest. It was a proud moment when they were safely deposited

in the officers’ mess, and everyone took a share in their due honours.

 

The final stage in the long adventurous career of the 7th Manchesters

during this great war was completed on March 31st when the cadre of the

battalion, led by Brevet Lt.-Col. Manger, arrived at Exchange Station,

Manchester, and amidst a tremendous and enthusiastic concourse of people

proudly made their way through the city to Burlington Street, to deposit

the colours in their home at the depot. The following Saturday evening a

reception was held, when large numbers of men and officers with their

friends united once more to do honours to the record of their battalion.

 

[Illustration: AREA COVERED DURING ADVANCE OF 42nd DIVISION, 1918.]

 

Appendix I.

 

HONOURS AND AWARDS TO MEMBERS OF THE BATTALION.

 

OFFICERS.

 

Fawcus, Major (Actg. Lt.-Col.) A. E. F. Distinguished Service Order.

Military Cross.

Legion d’honneur.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

Gallipoli (twice).

Mentioned in Dispatches,

France, June, 1918.

Manger, Major (temp. Lt.-Col.) E. V. Brevet Lieut.-Colonel.

C.M.G.

Hodge, Lieut. (Actg. Lieut.-Col.) A. Distinguished Service Order.

Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Canning, Lieut.-Col. A. (Attached) Order of St. Michael and

St. George (3rd Class

or Companion).

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Cronshaw, Major (Actg. Lt.-Col.) A. E. Distinguished Service Order.

Royal Serbian Order of the

White Eagle.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

France, 7.11.17.

Carr, (Actg. Lieut.-Col.) H. A. Distinguished Service Order.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

Brown, Major J. N. Brevet Majority, 3.6.15.

Distinguished Service Order.

Royal Serbian Order of the

White Eagle (4th Class).

Japanese Sacred Treasure

(3rd Class).

Mentioned in Dispatches,

16.3.16, E.E.F. 25.9.16,

E.E.F. 16.1.18, E.E.F.

Burn, (Actg. Major) F. G. Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

France, 6.7.17, and

Egypt, Dec. 1917.

Creagh, Major P. H. Distinguished Service Order.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

26.8.15, E.E.F. 11.12.15,

E.E.F.

Scott, Major & Quartermaster J., D.C.M. Order of the British Empire.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

Gallipoli, E.E.F., 10.4.16.

Rae, Major G. B. L. Distinguished Service Order.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Staveacre, Major J. H. Mentioned in Dispatches,

26.8.15.

(_Killed in Action_).

Creagh, Capt. (Actg. Major) J. R. Mentioned in Dispatches,

7.11.17, 18.11.18.

Chadwick, Capt. G. Royal Serbian Order of the

White Eagle (4th Class).

Hayes, Capt. F. Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

July, 1916; July, 1917.

Nasmith, Capt. G. W. Order of the British Empire.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Thorpe, Capt. J. H. Order of the British Empire.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Whitley, Capt. (Act. Lt.-Col.) N. H. P. Military Cross.

Croix de Guerre, France.

Crown of Italy.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

Gallipoli, E.E.F.

Farrow, Capt. J., R.A.M.C. Military Cross.

Nidd, Capt. H. H. Military Cross,

(_Died_).

Williamson, Capt. C. H. Military Cross.

(_Killed in Action_).

Baker, Lieut. (Actg. Capt.) J. Military Cross.

Collier, Capt. H. Mentioned in Dispatches.

Kirby, Capt. E. T. (C.F.) Military Cross.

Hoskyns, Capt. E. C. (C.F.) Military Cross.

Norbury, Capt. C. Mentioned in Dispatches,

24.5.18.

Norbury, Capt. M. Mentioned in Dispatches,

16.1.18.

Branthwaite, Capt. R. H. Mentioned in Dispatches,

7.11.17.

Douglas, Lieut. C. B. Military Cross.

Edge, Lieut. N. Military Cross.

Goodall, Lieut. J. C. Military Cross.

Goodier, 2nd-Lt. A. Awarded Commission in the

Field.

Military Cross.

Gresty, Lieut. W. Military Cross and Bar.

Harris, Lieut. L. G. Military Cross.

Siddall, 2nd-Lt. J. R. Military Cross.

Wilson, Lieut. (Actg. Capt.), S. J. Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

8.11.18.

Franklin, Lieut. H. C. Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches,

10.4.16.

Allen, Capt. C. R Military Cross.

(_Killed in Action_).

Bagshaw, Lieut. K Military Cross.

Welch, Lieut. (King’s Own) Distinguished Service Order.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Gorst, 2nd-Lt. H. Military Cross.

Milne, 2nd-Lt. J. H. Military Cross.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

Harland, 2nd-Lt. J. A. Military Cross.

Thrutchley, 2nd-Lt. F. D Military Cross.

Woodworth, Lieut. F. T. K. Mentioned in Dispatches,

8.11.18.

Thorp, Lieut. W. T. Mentioned in Dispatches,

24.5.18.

(_Killed in Action_).

 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN.

 

Abbreviations:

 

M.M. = Military Medal.

D.C.M. = Distinguished Conduct Medal.

M.S.M. = Meritorious Service Medal.

 

276236 Aldred, Sgt. J. M.M.

1070 Anlezark, R.S.M. W. M.S.M.

 

275726 Bailey, Pte. S. M.M.

275782 Banahan, Sgt. J. do.

275021 Bamber, Sgt. F. D.C.M.

M.S.M.

275039 Booker, L/c F. W. M.M.

276702 Botham, Pte. W. E. do.

275889 Bowman, Pte. J. do.

276845 Boydell, Pte. J. do.

276327 Bradshaw, Pte. W. do.

276418 Braithwaite, Pte. T. do.

276264 Broughton, Cpl. A. do.

 

280 Calow, Sgt. Mentd. in Dispatches.

275125 Clavering, Sgt. H. M.S.M.

275103 Clough, R.Q.M.S. S. Croix de Guerre (Belgian).

276047 Collinge, Pte. H. M.M.

1536 Connelly, Pte. J. Mentd. in Dispatches

275724 Conry, Pte. R. E. M.M.

276151 Craven, L/c A. do.

 

303461 Daley, Sgt. W. M.M.

51167 Davies, Pte. W. T. do.

276842 Dearden, Pte. R. do.

275141 Downs, Pte. A. do.

 

300991 Eastwood, Cpl. W. M.M.

276856 Edwards, Pte. R. do.

 

275173 Fidler, Sgt. W. M.M.

105 Fielding, Sgt. W. Mentd. in Dispatches

275161 Fleetwood, Sgt. A. D.C.M.

1904 Franks, L/c J. Mentd. in Dispatches.

 

275201 Gammond, A/Sgt. T. A. M.M.

375395 Green, Sgt. J. W. D.C.M.

M.M.

(Killed in Action.)

277007 Greer, Pte. A. M.M. and Bar.

276028 Gregory, Cpl. B. M.M.

276254 Goffey, Sgt. W. do.

 

275218 Hadfield, Sgt. A. M.M.

57548 Halfhide, Pte. C. do.

295015 Hand, Sgt. A. D.C.M.

5211 Hartnett, R.S.M. N. (Died of Wounds.)

Mentd. in Dispatches.

276486 Hayhurst, Pte. M.M.

42732 Heasman, L/c A. D.C.M.

275524 Heath, Sgt. F. (Died of Wounds.)

M.M. and Bar.

275256 Holbrook, Sgt. J. D.C.M.

550239 Horsfield, Sgt. D.C.M.

M.M.

Croix de Guerre (Belgian).

276171 Hyde, L/c L. M.M.

 

276424 Jackson, L/c E. (Died of Wounds.)

M.M.

276973 Jennions, Pte. H. do.

376666 Jolley, Sgt. J. do.

275281 Joyce, C.S.M. M.M.

Gold Medal of St. George

of Russia (2nd Class).

 

276640 King, Cpl. A. W. D.C.M.

 

276648 Latham, Pte. H. M.M.

275319 Lockett, Cpl. S. (Died of Wounds.)

D.C.M.

276719 Lyons, Pte. C. M.M.

276482 Lynn, Sgt. H. do.

275326 Lievesley, Sgt. J. L. do.

 

275705 Macguire, Cpl. A. M.M.

275822 Mather, Sgt. D.C.M.

2409 McCartney, L/c H. S. (Killed in Action.)

Mentd. in Dispatches.

275935 McClean, Pte. T. M.M.

275355 McHugh, C.S.M. D.C.M.

M.M. and Bar.

400535 Moore, Pte. T. C. M.M.

276020 Morris, L/c G. do.

40 Mort, L/Sgt. W. D.C.M.

275365 Mottram, L/Sgt. G. M.M.

275704 Mullin, Pte. C. M.M.

 

275397 Ogden, R.Q.M.S. M.S.M.

Mentioned in Dispatches.

 

275426 Parker, Sgt. G. M.M.

40849 Parkin, Pte. I. do.

12782 Pickering, Pte. W. do.

 

276932 Quinn, Pte. J. D.C.M.

 

49738 Reeves, Pte. E. M.M.

2263 Richardson, Pte. M. D.C.M.

276535 Riley, Pte. J. G. M.M.

275468 Riley, Sgt. R. do.

(Killed in Action.)

48576 Rotham, Pte. J. M.M.

37647 Rourke, Pte. A. do.

 

275509 Sanderson, Pte. G. M.M.

57229 Shaughnessy, Pte. W. M.M.

275495 Shields, C.S.M. J. M.S.M.

Mentd. in Dispatches.

275513 Snadham, Cpl. J. Mentd. in Dispatches.

376453 Standring, Cpl. W. M.M.

233 Stanton, Sgt. J. Mentd. in Dispatches.

57216 Stubbard, Pte. R. M.M.

 

275571 Tabbron, C.S.M. D.C.M.

276540 Thorpe, Sgt. H. M.M.

303634 Titchener, Pte. E. do.

275883 Titterington, L/Sgt. H. L. M.M.

277020 Twist, L/c T. M.M. and Bar.

 

275590 Walsh, Pte. J. M.M.

275604 Walton, Pte. F. G. do.

275646 Warrington, Pte. W. do.

277635 Wisken, Pte. A. do.

(Died of Wounds.)

275627 White, Cpl. F. D.C.M.

Mentd. in Dispatches.

275632 Wilkinson, Pte. H. M.M.

51624 Wilkinson, Pte. J. do.

275952 Wilmer, Pte. R. do.

295025 Wood, Cpl. T. D.C.M.

 

Appendix II.

 

MEMBERS OF THE BATTALION KILLED IN ACTION, DIED OF WOUNDS, MISSING, ETC.

 

As these lists may not contain the names of all those members of the

battalion who made the supreme sacrifice, I tender my apologies to the

friends and relations of those whose names have been omitted. Some

difficulty has been experienced, however, in making the lists as full as

they are.

 

S.J.W.

 

OFFICERS.

 

Allen, Capt. C. R., M.C. Killed in Action 27.9.18

Bacon, Lieut. A. H. Killed in Action 7.8.15

Brown, Lieut. T. F. Killed in Action 30.5.15

Carley, Lieut. Killed in Action 27.9.18

Cooper, Lieut. C. M. Killed in Action 20.10.18

Dudley, Lieut. C. L. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Freemantle, Lieut. W. O. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Granger, Lieut. H. M. Killed in Action 29.5.15

Grant, Lieut. R. W. G. Killed in Action 25.5.17

Kay, Lieut. H. N. Killed in Action 21.8.18

Lomas, Lieut. F. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Ludlam, Lieut. E. W. Killed in Action 28.3.18

McLaine, Lieut. D. Died of Wounds 2.4.18

Nidd, Capt. H. H., M.C. Died of Sickness contracted

during the war 4.3.19

Pearson, Lieut. H. Killed in Action 27.9.18

Philp, R.A.M.C., Capt. Killed in Action 27.3.18

Ray, Lieut. H. M. Killed in Action 27.9.18

Rylands, Capt. R. V. Killed in Action 29.5.15

Savatard, Capt. T. W. Killed in Action 29.5.15

Staveacre, Major J. H. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Sievewright, Lieut. M. J. Killed in Action 2.11.17

Thewlis, Lieut. H. D. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Thorp, Lieut. W. T. Killed in Action 28.3.18

Tinker, Capt. A. H. Killed in Action 28.3.18

Ward, Lieut. G. H. Killed in Action 4.6.15

Williamson, Capt. C. H., M.C. (R.F.C.) Killed in Action 27.3.17

Wender, Lieut., D.C.M. Killed in Action 16.6.18

Wood, Lieut. A. S. Died of Wounds 29.3.18

 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN.

 

Killed in Action.

 

1533 Abercrombie, Pte. E. 16.12.15

5204 Adamson, Pte. C. 27.9.18

1665 Adderley, Pte. E. 4.6.15

275740 Alman, Pte. T. 14.9.17

490 Anderson, Cpl. R. 4.6.15

2045 Anderton, Pte. F.

1740 Ayres, Pte. W. A. 4.6.15

 

1355 Bailey, Pte. W. 4.6.15

2348 Bain, Pte. T. P. 4.6.15

2403 Balon, Pte. E. 29.5.15

2215 Banks, Pte. A. 4.6.15

1968 Bannan, Pte. 4.12.15

3014 Barber, Pte. S. 10.8.15

1888 Barks, Pte. F. C. 7.12.15

27504 Barnes, Pte. J. H. 8.9.17

1347 Barnett, Pte. I. 29.5.15

52996 Barratt, Pte. R. 21.8.18

275059 Barrow, L/c T. E. 8.9.17

74429 Barry, Pte. R. J. 21.8.18

276522 Bedford, Pte. F. A. 27.9.18

2009 Bell, Pte. A. 4.6.15

275823 Bennett, Cpl. C. 27.9.18

276100 Bennet, Pte. R. 5.4.18

1941 Bent, Pte. W. 16.9.15

1228 Berry, Cpl. J. 4.6.15

275956 Beswick, Pte. R. 27.9.18

2438 Billington, Pte. H. 4.6.15

59824 Bincliffe, Pte. A. 27.9.18

276693 Bland, Pte. H. W. 28.3.18

980 Bleasdale, Pte. W. 30.5.15

2018 Boardman, Pte. A. H. 19.9.15

2143 Bouchier, Pte. G. C. 4.6.15

896 Bowe, Pte. G. 4.6.15

49841 Bowling, Pte. T. 27.9.18

277064 Boyd, Cpl. H. 2.9.18

1873 Bridge, Pte. E. 7.8.15

3456 Bright, Pte. W. 18.9.15

1009 Bromley, L/c E. 31.5.15

276676 Brookes, Pte. A. 28.10.17

1617 Brookes, Pte. J. 4.6.15

275929 Broughton, Pte. V. 28.3.18

1534 Brown, Pte. E. 4.6.15

2290 Brown, Pte. G. 4.6.15

2257 Bruce, Pte. W. 31.5.15

1730 Buckley, Pte. W. 5.6.15