9th Manchesters Machine Gun Section at Gallipoli

British Maxim .303 Converted Mk 2 Machine Gun — British Maxim .303, Converted Mk 2 Machine Gun. Image: IWM (FIR 9397). Copyright: © IWM.

The Ashton Reporter newspaper announced that the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment appointed Lieutenant Frederick Arthur Makin as officer in charge of the machine gun section in its May 2, 1914 edition. Three months later the same newspaper published the nominal roll of the battalion including the current members of the machine gun section:

No	Rank	First	Middle	Surname
526	Sgt	Thomas		Moss
1364	Cpl	Frank		Howard
1285	Pte	Albert		MacCormack
1199	Pte	Thomas		Radcliffe
1353	Pte	John	William	Dodd
471	Pte	William		Fogg
1371	Pte	Abert	Edward	Neale
1360	Pte	John	Levi	Kendall
1903	Pte	Harold		Ellis
1157	Pte	William	Henry	Illingworth
1349	Pte	Robert		Bell
–	Pte	H		Cook
1354	Pte	William	Loyd	Shuttleworth
1325	Pte	Joseph		Kent
1314	Pte	John	William	Andrews
1274	Pte	John	William	Donnelly

Enlisted Men of the Machine Gun Section, Aug 1914

At this time, the battalion’s machine gun section consisted of two .303 calibre Maxim Machine Guns. The British-manufactured Service Maxim was used from late 1890s until its replacement by the Vickers Machine Guns that were introduced into British Service in 1912 and not declared obsolete until 1968. But by the outbreak of war only 109 of the new Vickers Machine Guns had been delivered to the Army.

The Maxim Machine Gun

It’s not possible to know precisely which model of Maxim Machine Gun the battalion was in possession of and so the following description is of a general nature.

The Maxim Machine Gun operated automatically through a combination of two forces; the recoil generated from the explosion of the powder in each cartridge which pushed backwards and a strong spring which then pushed forwards. A sophisticated set of precisely calibrated and well lubricated mechanical components used this movement to eject the spent cartridge and pull the next live round into position ready to be fired. The gun was belt-fed from 250 round reusable ammunition belts, (made from waterproofed linen with brass strips and eyelets to properly set the ammunition spacing), and was capable of firing 450 rounds per minute (rpm) in rapid fire and a more sedate 70 rpm in controlled fire.

The Maxim was water-cooled, the gun-metal barrel casing holding about seven pints of water to keep the barrel cool when firing. It had three openings, one on the upper right side near the breech for filling, one underneath near the muzzle for drawing off the water, and the third for allowing the steam but not the water to escape. Steam was vented via a flexible tube into a can so that plumes of steam did not give the gun’s position away. When the barrel casing was filled with water about 2,000 rounds could be discharged at short intervals without replenishing, depending on the rapidity of fire. However, once the water started to boil, it evaporated at a rate of around 1 pint for every additional 1,000 rounds fired.

The Maxim Machine Gun was heavy and bulky, weighing 60lbs. When water was added for cooling it added almost another 10lbs. The tripod weighed around 48lbs and a fully loaded belt plus ammunition box weighed around 22lbs.

Maxim Machine Guns were operated by a crew of four to six men: The Gunner fired the gun; the Reloader quickly reloaded the gun when the 250 round ammunition belt was expended; the Spotter identified and directed fire towards enemy targets; the Ammunition and Water Carriers carried and prepared ammunition and water; and Mounters were responsible for moving and mounting the weapon on its tripod.

Gallipoli (May – June 1915)

When the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment landed at Gallipoli on May 9, 1915 the machine gun section was already short two enlisted men. Pte 471 William Fogg and Pte 1349 Robert Bell were discharged on medical grounds in Egypt before the battalion sailed for Gallipoli.

Additionally, when Lieut. Sydney Marsden was wounded on June 6th, he was reported to be the Officer in charge of the machine gun section and therefore must have replaced Lieut. Makin either in Egypt or shortly after the battalion landed at Gallipoli. Lieut. Makin himself was medically evacuated from the peninsula the following day suffering from typhoid fever. And since Lt. Makin was the natural replacement for Lt. Marsden this caused a problem and the command of the machine gun section passed to Second Lieut. John Matley Robson who had only just arrived in Gallipoli on June 2^nd having remained behind in Egypt serving as Officer in Charge of the Base, at Port Said, El Kantara, and Alexandria.

The machine gun section suffered another loss on June 9, 1915 when 1354 Pte. William Loyd Shuttleworth was killed in action. Sergeant 643 Squire Ellor had by this time taken over as senior NCO of the section, (vice Sergeant 526 Thomas Moss), and wrote the following letter to Pte. Shuttleworth’s mother:

“I am sorry to convey this message to you of your brave son’s death. He passed away early this morning. I cannot praise your son’s services enough as a machine gunner. He was a thorough master of his work, and as fearless as anyone in the section. We are very sorry we have had to part with him, but it is God’s will, and we cannot alter His works. Your boy died at his post. Only on Monday night last he kept awake for seven hours attending to two wounded comrades. He said to me that if he had to die, he hoped the Lord would not let him suffer in the way those two men had suffered. He died immediately he was shot. He was a credit to his battalion and his country. May he rest in peace.”

The newspaper report went on to say that Private Shuttleworth formerly worked at Ashton New Moss Colliery, (one of many men in the battalion from the Colliery), and he was killed shortly before his 21^st birthday.

8 days later, Pte 1285 Albert MacCormack reported sick with Enteric Fever and was medically evacuated taking no further part in the campaign, eventually being repatriated to England on October 15, 1915.

Meanwhile, 2/Lt. Robson, having been appointed Officer in charge of the machine gun section without any prior experience or training, was ordered to report to the base depot at Gallipoli, behind the firing lines, where he underwent a 10-day course of instruction in the Maxim Machine Gun. He referred to this training in a letter he wrote on June 22, 1915:

“It’s much worse here than in the firing line. Shells are continually dropping round our dug-outs. You can imagine how difficult it is to concentrate your attention on what the instructor is saying when shrapnel and Jack Johnsons are flying round. The battalion has done exceedingly well, and has been praised by the generals, but the cost has been frightful.”

Gallipoli (July 1915)

2/Lt. Robson reported sick with Enteric Fever on July 7, 1915 and was medically evacuated to the 15^th General Hospital at Alexandria where he died 10 days later on July 17, 1915. An old Boy of Manchester Grammar School, John Matley Robson was 23 years old. At this point the command of the machine gun section passed to Lieut. George William Handforth who transferred from B Company to C Company to temporarily take over command after they lost their entire group of officers who had landed six weeks earlier.

On July 12, 1915 Private 1501 George Markham, one of the men added to the machine gun section after the battalion arrived in Egypt, was killed in action. Remarkably, there is no mention of his death in the local newspapers save for a short family-supplied death notice:

In loving memory of our dear son and brother of Private Geo. Markham, 1/9th Manchester Regiment (machine gun section), aged 22 years, who fell in action at the Dardanelles July 12th, 1915.

We’ll not forget you, boy, who died for England. We’ll meet you once again in some far place; Where those we’ve loved and lost will greet us grandly. And tell us how you met death face to face.

And in mid-July the machine gun section lost their second gunner when Pte. 1157 William Henry Illingworth became sick from powder fumes from a Turkish lyddite shell and was medically evacuated to St. George’s Hospital, Malta for treatment. He remained in Malta for 3 months, (until at least late October), and likely returned to Gallipoli after he left the Għajn Tuffieħa Convalescent Camp there.

Machine Gun Section Replacements

Throughout their time at Gallipoli a small set of enlisted men were brought into the machine gun section to fill the holes left by the original members who were killed, wounded or sick. Since such assignments were not recorded on any service records or official records the men below are provided solely from newspaper reports.

No	Rank	First	Middle	Surname
643	Sgt	Squire		Ellor
1978	Cpl	Arthur		Spurrett
2049	Cpl	Charles	William	Gibson
2074	Pte	James		Hall
1968	Cpl	Arnold		Willerton
1985	Pte	Leonard		Smart
1534	Pte	Alfred	Edwin	Snape
1501	Pte	George		Markham
1667	Pte	John		Hill

Machine Gun Section Replacements 1915

Gallipoli (August 1915)

In August, the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment was involved in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard (August 6-13) and the machine gun section suffered more casualties.

1353 John William Dodd, (now promoted to Corporal), suffered a bullet wound to the leg on August 7, 1915 and was medically evacuated to England where he spent time in hospital in Plymouth. He did not return to Gallipoli.

A few days later, on August 12, Corporal 2049 Charles William Gibson was also wounded when he took a bullet to the left knee. He too was medically evacuated to England but died on September 15, 1915 from septic poisoning. The September 25, 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter in part stated:

Most impressive scenes marked the burial, on Saturday, of Corporal Charles William (Carl) Gibson, 23 years, of 342, Mossley-road, Ashton. Corporal Gibson, who was a fitter by trade, and formerly employed at the Patent Loom and Tape Works, Broadbottom, was wounded during, the severe fighting in the Gallipoli Peninsula on August 12th. He was attached to the machine gun section of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment. He was resting in the trench, and had fallen asleep, when he was struck on the knee by a poisoned bullet. Under a rain of lead his comrades carried him out of the trench. On August 29th he was admitted to the 2nd Military Hospital at Weaste, and after strong hopes had been entertained of his recovery he died on September 15th from septic poisoning and syncope.

The body was conveyed home from Weaste on Friday evening. At the interment on Saturday thousands of townspeople lined the streets. The burial was accompanied by full military honours Comrades of Corporal Gibson acted as bearers, and walked on either side the hearse, which was drawn by four horses. A firing party of 16 wounded and invalided Territorials back from Egypt and the Dardanelles were in command of Captain Lees. Lieut. Colonel D. H. Wade was also present.

On August 29, Pte 1314 John William Andrews, one of the original members of the machine gun section, died of wounds. He was buried the following day by the Reverend J.K. Best on a cliff overlooking Gully Beach.

Gallipoli (September – December)

2/Lt. Percy Ainsworth arrived in Gallipoli on Aug 19, 1915 as part of a draft of 4 Officers and 145 men and was allocated to C Company. On September 17^th Capt. (temp) Handforth reported sick to hospital after being sick for some time and 2/Lt. Ainsworth took over command of the machine gun section. 2/Lt Ainsworth remained with the battalion until they evacuated the peninsula on December 27th and there is no indication that anyone else took over his command until he left the battalion in March 1916 when he joined the Royal Flying Corps in Egypt.

On December 12, 1915 the machine gun section suffered its final fatality of the Gallipoli Campaign when 18-year-old Pte 1534 Alfred Edwin Snape was killed in action. Born on December 30, 1896 Alfred joined the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment a few weeks before his 17^th birthday and turned 18 while they were training in Egypt. By the Army’s own regulations, he should not have been serving in a combat role at Gallipoli before his 19^th birthday. Alfred had been wounded earlier in the campaign when he took a bullet to the thigh, (breaking a sixpenny piece in his pocket into three pieces), and was medically evacuated to Malta where he spent 3 months recovering. He had recently returned and was killed when a shell burst over his machine gun position. A letter of condolence was sent to his parents by his section NCO, Corporal 1968 Arnold Willerton, (himself only 18 years old when he landed in Gallipoli).

Egypt 1916

The 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment evacuated Gallipoli on December 27, 1915 and after a brief stop in Mudros arrived at Alexandria on January 17, 1916. They were taken by train to Cairo and from Cairo Station to Mena Camp by tram. A week later they moved to Tel-el-Kebir, located about 68 miles north-north-east of Cairo. Shortly after, they moved to El Shallufa on the Suez Canal, making camp on the East side of the canal. On February 10th they moved again, this time to El Kabrit, about 20 miles north of Suez where they remained for some time.

The 126 Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed by transfer of the battalion Machine Gun Sections of each of the four battalions of the 126th Infantry Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. Throughout the Gallipoli campaign, Divisional Order of Battle and Field State reports consistently recorded that these four battalions were equipped with 2 machine guns each. However, since 28 men of the 9th Manchesters transferred, (with similar numbers from each of the 5^th East Lancs, 4^th East Lancs and 10^th Manchesters), this indicates that the 126 Company’s machine gun count had doubled to 16 most likely with the addition of the newer Vickers machine guns.

Although it is widely accepted that the 126 Company, Machine Gun Corps was formed on March 14, 1916 the surviving service records of the 28 men of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment contradict this. Their service records indicate that they were transferred to the “Machine Gun Corps, 126 Bdge” on this date. These same men were all subsequently posted to the 126 Company, Machine Gun Corps on August 10, 1916. It is worth noting here that in military terminology that transferred meant a man had been permanently moved to another corps, while posted meant that a man had permanently moved to another unit of the same corps. This implies that the 126 Company was not actually formed until August 10, 1916.

During this period of transfer and posting, many of the men from the 9^th Manchesters who transferred went through a formal 10-day machine gun training class at the Imperial School of Instruction, Zeitoun, (a suburb of Cairo), on June 23, 1916. At least three of them were awarded the proficiency badge of 1st Class Machine Gunner; Thomas Cronin Hardy, James Hall and Mathew Ellison.

Because the Machine Gun Corps was considered to be part of the Regular Army, all of the men from the Territorial Force who transferred had to effectively terminate their engagement with the Territorials and then re-enlist with the Machine Gun Corps. This, among other things, necessitated them undergoing a new medical examination by the Machine Gun Corps doctors to verify their medical eligibility. The paperwork that officially sanctioned their transfer was signed by Lt. Col D.H. Wade on September 29, 1916 while the 9^th Manchesters were at Hod en Negiliat, (a “hod” is a plantation of date palms), en-route to El-Arish.

The 28 men of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment who transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on March 14, 1916 had all served in Gallipoli but only 3 were from the original 16 men of the machine gun section who left England on September 10, 1914.

No	MGC No	Rank	First	Middle	Surname
643	39621	Sgt	Squire		Ellor
1364	39622	L/Cpl	Frank		Howard
1968	39623	Cpl	Arnold		Willerton
3853	39624	L/Cpl	Albert		Shepley
1816	39625	Pte	Alexander	McKenzie	Whittet
1360	39627	Pte	John	Levi	Kendall
1515	39628	Pte	James	William	Cheetham
1880	39629	Pte	Thomas	Cronin	Hardy
2145	39630	Pte	Thomas		Lumley
1702	39631	Pte	Arnold		Myers
3705	39632	Pte	Matthew		Ellison
3717	39633	Pte	John		Burgess
3039	39634	Pte	George	Andrew	Brocklehurst
3224	39635	Pte	James		Buckley
1268	39636	Pte	Jesse	Edwin	Connolly
1891	39637	Pte	Joseph		Jackson
2883	39638	Pte	Albert		Loader
1330	39639	L/Cpl	Harry		Potter
2960	39640	Pte	John		Samuels
1667	39641	Pte	John		Hill
1573	39642	Pte	Sam		Entwistle
3301	39643	Pte	Charles	Henry	Ward
2074	39649	L/Cpl	James		Hall
1737	39650	Pte	Thomas		Rackstraw
2624	39651	Pte	William		Cooper
2549	39652	Pte	William		Matley
1325	39653	Cpl	Joseph		Kent
1695	39654	Pte	Alfred		Smith

Machine Gun Corps Men from the 9th Manchesters, 1916

Note: The rank shown is the rank held upon transfer to the Machine Gun Corps.

This group of men, (with two notable exceptions who were under the age of 19 when they landed in Gallipoli), were generally slightly older than the remainder of the battalion. But life in the Machine Gun Corps was dangerous and four men were later killed in action in France with another five being discharged due to wounds or sickness. Between the 28 men were two winners of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, three winners of the Military Medal and three awards of the Territorial Efficiency Medal and Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

References:

Handbook for the 0.303″ Maxim Machine Gun (Magazine Rifle Chamber), 1901.

The Devil’s Paintbrush (Sir Hiram Maxim’s Gun) by Dolf L. Goldsmith.

Acknowledgements:

Vickers MG Collection & Research Association

Gallipoli Field General Courts Martial of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

A review of the WO 213: Judge Advocate General’s Office: Field General Courts Martial and Military Courts, Registers. Field General Courts Martial (1915) shows officers and men of the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment were subjected to 32 cases of Courts Martial in Gallipoli and at least two in Egypt in 1916. The range of offences was quite broad resulting in punishments ranging from the loss of one day’s pay to a sentence of death.

In the late 1800s, Military law was codified by the Army Discipline and Regulation Act, 1879, which was subsequently replaced by the Army Act, 1881. This code of military law continued in force from year to year by an Annual Act, known originally as the Army (Annual) Act which both reaffirmed and provided amendments to the Army Act, 1881. In 1915, the practical application of military law applied in Gallipoli was outlined in the Manual of Military Law, published by the War Office, 1914.

The Army Act, 1881 defined, amongst other things, those offences that were punishable by death and those that were not, and offences that were punishable more severely on active service as well as the differences in punishments for officers and enlisted men. In practice, the offences that the men of the 9^th Manchesters were charged with at Gallipoli included Theft, Disobedience, Absence from Camp, Sleeping on Duty, Quitting their Post, Disobeying Orders, Malingering and “Acting to the prejudice of good order and military discipline” – a catch-all offence for anything not explicitly defined in the Act.

In 1915 the British Army recognized three kinds of Courts Martial; Regimental, District and General. Each court held different power of punishments and only the highest, a General Court Martial, could award punishments of penal servitude or death. General Courts Martial required a minimum of five officers, ideally from different regiments and battalions with each having held their commission for at least three years. The president of the court was appointed by the convening officer and could not be below the rank of Major, with a higher rank strongly preferred if available. A Field General Court Martial is an exceptional kind of General Court Martial held overseas or on active service. Due to the exceptional nature of the court a Field General Court Martial required only three officers unless the convening officer was of the opinion that three were not available in which case, they were allowed to consist of only two. However, a court of only two officers could not award any sentence exceeding two years imprisonment or three months field punishment. A sentence of death required the concurrence of all the members of the court.

In Gallipoli, verdicts and sentences rendered by the Field General Courts Martial for battalions in the 42^nd (East Lancs) Division were reviewed by the G.O.C. 42nd Division and then by the G.O.C. 8th Army Corps. The courts held the responsibility of prosecuting the cases, rendering the verdicts and applying statutory sentences while the higher authority of the Divisional and Corps quashed, commuted, suspended or endorsed sentences to normalize the court rulings and apply some element consistency.

Let’s look more closely at the offences that were tried and the punishments given out to the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment in Gallipoli.

Offence: Theft

The 9^th Manchesters landed at Gallipoli on May 9, 1915 and less than two weeks later two men were tried and convicted of theft. In order to prove the case, the court had to find an intention to steal and that the men fraudulently took property without the owner’s consent with the intent of permanently depriving the owner of said property. Whether the theft was from the military establishment or from a comrade we do not know but we can see that both men received a relatively light sentence of 14 days Field Punishment. Consequently, we can assume that the offence was proven but not considered particularly serious.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Theft	FP
Pte	2208	GEORGE	PRICE	21-May-15	X	14 days
Pte	1660	HAROLD	GARTSIDE	21-May-15	X	14 days

Note:

There were two categories field punishment. Field punishment No. 1, which consisted of heavy labouring duties, and being restrained in handcuffs or fetters, and being tied to a fixed object, such as a post or wheel, for two or more hours a day. Field punishment No. 2 differed, in that the offender was not liable to be attached to a fixed object.

Offence: Sleeping on Duty or Quitting Post without Permission

Section 6 of the Army Act 1881, Offences Punishable more Severely on Active Service than at Other Times, point (1) sub-section (k) states:

(1.) Every person subject to military law who commits any of the following offences; that is to say,

(k ) Being a soldier acting as sentinel, commits any of the following offences; that is to say,

(i.) sleeps or is drunk on his post; or
(ii.) leaves his post before he is regularly relieved,

shall, on conviction by court-martial, if he commits any such offence on active service, be liable to suffer death, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Needless to say, when on active service in a combat zone, any soldier acting as a sentinel who either sleeps on his post or leaves his post before he is relieved commits a very serious offence endangering the lives of his comrades and jeopardizing the safety of his unit. Not surprisingly these offences are clearly called out in the Army Act, 1881 and carry a sentence of death or some other lower but serious penalty. In order to render a death sentence the three officers of the Field General Court Martial must be unanimous in their decision.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Chg	Hard Lab	Remit’d
Pte	–	–	HARGREAVES	22-Jun-15	S	6m	Susp
Pte	1434	PERCY	LEE	22-Jun-15	S	9m	Susp
Pte	–	J	JACKSON	22-Jun-15	S	9m	Susp
Pte	1915	GEORGE	MURPHY	06-Jul-15	S	24m	Susp
Pte	1644	ARTHUR	ADSHEAD	09-Sep-15	S	Death	Comm
Pte	1693	ALBERT	ORTON	24-Sep-15	S	12m	Comm
Pte	1629	JOSEPH	WHIPP	09-Jul-15	Q	24m	Susp

Notes:

The Field General Courts Martial register provides only the surname and initials of the men charged and, in some cases, not even the initial. In the table above, “HARGREAVES” could be either Pte 1580 Norman Hargreaves or (more likely) Pte. 1952 Harold Hargreaves.
“J JACKSON” could be any one of three men; Pte. 1891 Joseph Jackson, Pte. 2169 John Jackson or Pte. 2171 John Jackson.

A suspension of punishment meant that the case was periodically reviewed and the punishment liable to be reinstated if the man’s subsequent behaviour warranted it, whereas commuting the sentence, although not erasing the conviction, permanently reduced or removed the punishment associated with it and was therefore not subject to periodic review.

Looking at each of these cases a little more closely:

The first three cases were brought approximately six weeks after the battalion landed in Gallipoli and on the same day that they returned to bivouac after almost 3 straight weeks in the trenches. A period that saw the two bloodiest days that the battalion would experience at Gallipoli. All three cases were for sleeping on post and since the case against Hargreaves resulted in a lower punishment than the others, we can conclude that court felt there were some mitigating circumstances there. Upon review by a higher authority, (the G.O.C. 42nd Division), all three sentences were suspended implying that the charges were primarily brought to make the point to all members of the battalion that potentially serious consequences awaited anyone caught sleeping on post.

But if that was the intent it didn’t have the desired effect because just two weeks later, Pte. 1915 George Murphy was convicted of the same offence and given a substantially harsher sentence of 2 years hard labour. This sentence, like the previous three, was subsequently suspended upon review. And a few days later, Pte. 1629 Joseph Whipp was convicted of leaving his post before being properly relieved, (the only man in the battalion to be so charged in the Gallipoli campaign), and received the same sentence of 2 years hard labour, again suspended upon review.

At this point it’s worth remembering that the Field General Court Martial date was the date of the trial and not the date of the offence, which was of course committed sometime earlier. June saw the biggest casualty figures for the battalion during the whole Gallipoli campaign and apart from a very small draft of one officer and 16 men arriving in late June the first substantial draft of men to bolster the dwindling numbers of combat ready men in the 9^th Manchesters did not arrive until July 23, 1915. This perhaps played a role in the suspension of sentences as every able-bodied soldier was needed.

Pte. 1644 Arthur Adshead was the next man to be tried for sleeping at his post on September 9, 1915 and was found guilty and given a sentence of death. Without the trial transcripts we have no way to know why his case was treated significantly more harshly than the previous cases but the record shows that his sentence was commuted to 10 years of penal servitude. But we also know that Pte. Adshead went on to win the Military Medal in April 1918, (one of four men court martialed in Gallipoli to subsequently be awarded medals for bravery), while still serving with the Manchester Regiment and so we must assume the military authorities came to their senses and suspended the commuted sentence.

The last man of the 9^th Manchesters to be charged with sleeping at his post was Pte. 1693 Albert Edward Orton. Fortunately, his service record has survived and it contains the following notes:

Deputy Judge Advocate General (DJAG), MEF September 24, 1915

Tried by FGCM Section 6(1k). When a soldier acting as a sentinel on active service, sleeping on his post in that he, in the field, on 6th Sept 1915 about 10:15pm when acting as a sentry in the trenches was asleep. Found guilty and sentenced to be imprisoned with hard labour for one year. (The Court recommends the accused to mercy on the grounds that he is very young and had been unreasonably overworked). Confirmed by G.O.C. 42nd Division who remitted six months of the imprisonment. Sentence commuted to one of Field Punishment No 1 for three months by G.O.C. 8th Army Corps dated October 13, 1915.

Battalion October 6, 1915

Awarded 10 days Field Punishment No 2 for absenting himself while on fatigue.

The court’s recommendation conveys two key pieces of information; that he was “very young” and that he had been “unreasonably overworked”.

Pte. Orton was an underage soldier who joined the battalion during the big recruiting drive of February 14, 1914 when he was 17 years old. After serving with the battalion in Egypt from September 1914 to May 1915 he was still only 18 years old when he landed in Gallipoli and would not turn 19 until September 11, 1915. By the military’s own regulations, he should not have been allowed to serve in a front-line combat role but instead should have been posted to a training or other unit behind the firing line. The battalion knew his age, he did not lie on his attestation papers, and deployed him into the firing line at Gallipoli anyway, along with dozens of other underage soldiers. Because of this, Pte. Orton celebrated his 19^th birthday in captivity awaiting trial by Field General Court Martial and probably aware that the last man of the battalion who was charged with sleeping on duty received a death sentence.

Throughout their time on the peninsula the men and boys of the 9^th Manchesters were required to work almost constantly on fatigue duties whenever they were out of the firing line. By September 6^th Pte. Orton had been in Gallipoli for almost 4 months and had endured the most dangerous and difficult living conditions imaginable. The effects of poor food, contaminated water, intense heat and little or no ability to properly rest accumulated in all the men and dozens of them with less robust constitutions and fitness reported sick. To say that the men were unreasonably overworked was an understatement and in retrospect it would have perhaps been expedient to make sure that men held sentry duty in pairs to prevent sleeping.

It’s also worth noting that Pte. Orton went on to win the Military Medal for bravery in the field in April 1918 while still serving with the battalion.

Offence: Absence from Camp

Section 15 of the Army Act 1881, Absence from Duty Without Leave, points (1) and (3) state:

Every person subject to military law who commits any of the following offences; that is to say,

(1.) Absents himself without leave; or

(3.) Being a soldier, when in camp or garrison or elsewhere, is found beyond any limits fixed or in any place prohibited by any general garrison or other order, without a pass or written leave from his commanding officer.

shall on conviction by court-martial be liable, if an officer, to be cashiered, or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, and if a soldier, to suffer imprisonment, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Abs	Field Punish
Cpl	2765	WALTER	TRACEY	27-Jun-15	Q	Ranks
Pte	2719	GEORGE	DEAN	27-Jun-15	Q	60 days
Pte	2713	JOSEPH	TAYLOR	27-Jun-15	Q	60 days
Pte	2802	REGINALD	JONES	27-Jun-15	Q	60 days
Pte	1979	WILLIAM	COYNE	28-Aug-15	X	56 days 2
Pte	1345	ERIC	GOLIGHTLY	28-Aug-15	X	56 days 2

This charge was used against men who had left their trench without explicit permission to do so for any reason, including in the face of an overwhelming assault by the enemy that they stood no chance of repulsing.

On Saturday November 6, 1915 the Ashton Reporter published an article written by an anonymous NCO of C Company which in part recounted some details of the bayonet charge on the night of June 18th:

During the period the company was in this trench “B” Company made an attempt on the 18^th June to clear the Turks out of two small trenches, but they found the Turks in such great numbers that they had to retire, and the Turks charged our trench, which was held by a few of “C” Company and a number of 10^thManchesters, and gained a footing in a part of it. Both Lieut. Wade and Lieut. Connery took part in “B” Company’s attack, volunteering for the job, and led portions of the men, but Lieut. Wade unfortunately failed to return when the company retired. It was a terrible night, and several attempts were made by various units to recover the ground lost, but without success. “B” Company lost heavily, and Capt. Sugden was mortally wounded.

The 9^th Manchesters’ war diary noted that they suffered 9 killed, 17 missing and 33 wounded in addition to the loss of Capt. Sugden and 2/Lt. Jack Wade.

On June 26^th thirteen men of the 10^th Manchesters were court martialed under Section 15. All were found guilty and each one was awarded 14 days field punishment number 1. The following day, four men of the 9^th Manchesters were court martialed on the same charge, almost certainly for their part in the events that night. Corporal 2765 Walter Tracey lost his stripe and the other three men were awarded 60 days field punishment. All four had just days before arrived in Gallipoli as part of a small draft and were ill equipped to be thrust into the situation they found themselves embroiled in that night.

Later in the war, one of those men, Pte 2713 Joseph Taylor went on to win the Military Medal for bravery in the field, awarded in June 1918 after he had transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

In late August, another two men were convicted of the same offence and were each given a sentence of 8 weeks field punishment number 2. One of the men, Pte 1345 Eric Golightly, was at the time only 18 years old and, like Pte Orton who was convicted of sleeping on sentry duty, should not have been in Gallipoli before his 19^th birthday. However, unlike Pte Orton, there is no record of Pte Golightly receiving any clemency from the Divisional or Corps authorities for his age.

Offence: Disobedience

Section 9 of the Army Act 1881, Disobedience to Superior Officer, states:

1. Every person subject to military law who commits the following offence; that is to say,

Disobeys in such manner as to show a wilful defiance of authority any lawful command given personally by his superior officer in the execution of his office, whether the same is given orally or in writing, or by signal or otherwise, shall on conviction by court-martial be liable to suffer death, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and

1. Every person subject to military law who commits the following offence; that is to say, disobeys any lawful command given by his superior officer, shall, on conviction by court-martial, if he commits such offence on active service, be liable to suffer penal servitude, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if he commits such offence not on active service, be liable, if an officer to be cashiered, or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, and if a soldier, to suffer imprisonment, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Chg	HL	FP
Pte	3345	GEORGE	HAMBLETON	09-Sep-15	S.9.1	18m
Pte	517	FRANK	CAWLEY	13-Mar-16	X	6m
L/Cpl	1792	ALBERT	DAVIES	09-Sep-15	Sgt		90d – 2
Pte	885	FRANK	GODDARD	22-Jul-15	SO		42d – 1
A/Sgt	1592	EDWARD	ALLOTT	25-Oct-15	SO

Note:

Acting Sergeant Edward Allot was found Not Guilty.

The Manual of Military Law. War Office, 1914 provides some guidance on the nature of this offence:

Closely connected with the offence of mutiny is the offence of disobedience to a lawful command, which is punishable under S. 9 of the Act (a). No offences differ more in degree than offences of this class. The disobedience may be of a trivial character, or may be an offence of the most serious description, amounting, if two or more persons join in it, to mutiny. Accordingly, the object of this section is to enable charges to be framed in such manner as to discriminate between different degrees of the offence.

Pte 3345 George Hambleton joined the 9^th Manchesters on the 9^th or 10^th of January, 1915. He trained in the UK with the 2/9^th Battalion at Southport and then Pease Pottage before landing in Gallipoli on August 22, 1915 as part of the second large draft of men that reinforced the 1/9^th Manchesters. Within two weeks of landing, he must have committed his act of disobedience and was charged with the more serious offence of wilful disobedience. Found guilty he was sentenced to 18 months of hard labour.

Pte 517 Frank Cawley was a long-time member of the 9^th Manchesters attesting on January 6, 1909. He attended all of the battalion’s summer camps from 1909 until the outbreak of war and had re-engaged for four more years on April 1, 1913. He deployed with the battalion to Egypt in September 1914 and landed on Gallipoli on May 9, 1915. His service record shows no evidence of being sick or wounded throughout the campaign and he subsequently deployed to Egypt in 1916 with the rest of the battalion. But something about him had changed on the peninsula and in January and February 1916 he was given 7-days confinement to barracks followed by 14-days of field punishment number 2 for two counts of “inattention on parade”. His service record then contains the following:

Tried by FGCM, El Kabrit, for when on active service March 6, 1916 (wilfully) disobeying a lawful command given by his superior officer in the execution of his office. Sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour. March 13 to September 12, 1916.

Sentence of 6 months imprisonment with hard labour now suspended. June 9, 1916.

He was released on June 15^th but he continued to be written up for a series of minor acts of defiance, (late on parade, absent from parade, hesitating to obey an order), during 1916 and 1917. In 1918 he transferred to the 2^nd East Lancs Regiment where he again committed a series of minor infractions (failing to salute the Regimental Sergeant Major, Insolence to the Regimental Police and falling out of line during a march without permission). In 1919, since he was still carrying a suspended sentence, his case came up for review and his commanding officer somewhat remarkably recommended that his sentence should be remitted since “his character has been very good (3 trivial offences) and he has carried out his duties in a willing manner and to the complete satisfaction of his superiors.” And indeed, his sentence was remitted by the Brigadier-General of the 100^th Infantry Brigade on September 11, 1919.

L/Cpl 1792 Albert Davies joined the 9^th Manchesters on February 16, 1914 which was the Monday immediately following the big recruiting drive. All of those men who attended the “Smoking Concert” at Ashton Town Hall on the previous Saturday but ran out of time to attest were told to report to the Armoury on February 16^th. Albert was 17 years and 6 months old when he attested and gave his correct age. Consequently, he was still only 18 years old when he landed in Gallipoli and did not turn 19 until July 7, 1915. So, although he should have been held back in Egypt for two months before landing in Gallipoli, he was 19 years old when he committed his offence in September. He was found guilty and awarded 3 months of field punishment number 2. Based upon this sentence we can conclude that the charge against him was not one of wilful disobedience. Nevertheless, this means that he had just completed his sentence when, on December 19, 1915 he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Pte 885 Frank Goddard was a long-time member of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment attesting in 1909 and by the outbreak of war he was a Lance Corporal. Nevertheless, on July 22^nd 1915 he was convicted of disobedience to a senior officer and awarded 6 weeks of field punishment number 1. Based upon this sentence we can conclude that the charge against him was not one of wilful disobedience.

Offence: Malingering

Section 18, point (1) of the Army Act 1881, Disgraceful Conduct of Soldier, states:

Every soldier who commits any of the following offences; that is to say,

(1.) Malingers, or feigns or produces disease or infirmity shall on conviction by court-martial be liable to suffer imprisonment, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

More specifically, the Manual of Military War, 1914 specifies that Section 18.1b is Feigning or Producing disease or infirmity, (as opposed to malingering).

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Charge	Not Guilty
Pte	2328	WILLIAM	GODDARD	25-Aug-15	S.18.1b	X
Pte	–	J	JACKSON	25-Aug-15	S.18.1b	X
Pte	–	T	McCLUSKY	25-Aug-15	S.18.1b	X
L/Cpl	1553	HAROLD	MORRIS	25-Aug-15	S.18.1b	X

Notes:

1. “J JACKSON” could be any one of three men; Pte. 1891 Joseph Jackson, Pte. 2169 John Jackson or Pte. 2171 John Jackson.
2. There was no “T McCLUSKY; there was only Pte 2005 Francis (Frank) McClusky and Pte 2072 Henry (Harry) McClusky.

At the time of the Field General Court Martial on August 25, 1915 Major Thomas Frankish, RAMC was attached to the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment as its Medical Officer, (M.O.), a role that he filled until he was transferred on August 31^st. It is likely that the charges originated with him but no surviving records exist. Major Frankish was appointed the battalion’s M.O. just before they landed in Gallipoli replacing their long-time M.O. Surgeon Major Albert Hilton who died from meningitis in Egypt in February 1914. Thus, Major Frankish did not know any of the men and was likely not sympathetically disposed towards them. The assumption is that each of these men reported sick in late August, were examined by Major Frankish and summarily put on a charge. Since they were all found not guilty it’s possible that, left untreated, one or more of them became undeniably sicker by the time of the trial and were consequently exonerated.

Regardless of what actually happened, all four men were found not guilty, Major Frankish was transferred to the 1/3^rd East Lancs Field Ambulance shortly thereafter and no more men of the battalion were charged with this offence throughout the remainder of the campaign.

Offence: Conduct to the Prejudice of Military Discipline

Section 40 of the Army Act 1881, Conduct to the Prejudice of Military Discipline, states:

Every person subject to military law who commits any of the following offences; that is to say,

Is guilty of any act, conduct, disorder, or neglect, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, shall on conviction by court-martial be liable, if an officer, to be cashiered, or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, and if a soldier, to suffer imprisonment, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned. Provided that no person shall be charged under this section in respect of any offence for which special provision is made in any other part of this Act, and which is not a civil offence; nevertheless the conviction of a person so charged shall not be invalid by reason only of the charge being in contravention of this proviso, unless it appears that injustice has been done to the person charged by reason of such contravention; but the responsibility of any officer for that contravention shall not be removed by the validity of the conviction.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Chg	HL	Remitted
Pte	1350	GEORGE	WILTON	11-Jul-15	S.40	12m	Susp
Pte	–	J	HAMPSON	20-Jul-15	S.40	12m	Susp
Pte	1658	JONATHAN	POTTER	03-Oct-15	S.40	12m	Comm

Table 1 – Serious Cases of Section 40

Note:

“J HAMPSON” could be either Pte 1246 John Hampson or Pte 1836 James Hampson.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Chg	FP
Pte	–	E	JONES	16-Aug-15	S.40	1m – 2
Pte	2854	FRANCIS	HAWKINS	16-Aug-15	S.40	1m – 2
L/Cpl	2413	HERBERT	PARKINSON	16-Sep-15	S.40	42d – 1
Pte	3378	WILLIAM	HADFIELD	25-Sep-15	S.40	42d – 2
Pte	2174	HARRY	PRATT	03-Oct-15	S.40	56d – 2

Table 2 – Moderate Cases of Section 40

Note:

“E JONES” could be Pte 1613 Edward Jones, Pte 1897 Edward Jones or Pte 2073 Everett Jones.
The case against Pte. William Hadfield was quashed.

Rank	No	First	Surname	FGCM Date	Chg	Pay
CQMS	108	ROBERT	JACKSON	09-Sep-15	S.40	1d

Table 3 – Trivial Case of Section 40

Section 40 is a catch-all for offences that are not otherwise explicitly called out elsewhere in the Army Act, 1881. The Manual of Military Law, 1914 provides some interesting notes regarding the enforcement of charges under Section 40.

To sustain a charge under this section it is absolutely necessary that the charge should recite the words of the Act. That is to say, there must be charged an “act” or “conduct,” or “disorder,” or “neglect,” as the case may be, “to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.”

But the mere use of these words as a description of certain conduct does not warrant a court in assuming that such conduct is legally an offence. A court is not warranted in convicting unless of the opinion that the conduct charged was to the prejudice both of good order and of military discipline, having regard to the conduct itself and to the circumstances in which it took place.

Neglect must be wilful or culpable, and not merely arising from ordinary forgetfulness or error of judgment, or inadvertence; and where the use of certain words regarding superiors is made the subject of a charge under this section, the words must have been said meaningly, i.e., with a guilty intent.

In other words, to successfully bring a charge and convict a man under Section 40 the court must believe that he wilfully acted, conducted himself, or behaved with disorder, or wilfully neglected to do something the direct result of which was both to the prejudice of good order and of military discipline.

Three examples, amongst many others, provided by the Manual of Military Law, 1929 include; Negligent performance of duties connected with money or stores resulting in a deficiency and loss, Borrowing money from subordinates, and Accepting gifts an as inducement for arranging or excusing duties.

It is apparent from the sentences that the court saw the offences of Wilton, Hampson and Potter to be of a serious nature although it is notable that all three were either suspended or commuted by the Divisional and Corps authorities.

The offences committed by Pte. Jones and Pte. Hawkins resulting in 30 days of field punishment number 2 were comparatively minor transgressions and those committed by Parkinson and Pratt progressively more serious. Pte 3378 William Hadfield’s case was not of a particularly serious nature but his conviction was overturned by the Divisional and Corps authorities which was quite unusual.

Finally, we have the strange case of Company Quartermaster Sergeant (CQMS) 108 Robert Jackson of D Company, an Old Volunteer and holder of the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. As one of the most senior and trusted NCOs of the battalion it must have been particularly galling and embarrassing for him to be tried by Field General Court Martial. Since no records survive, we have no way of knowing the nature of the charge but the sentence of a loss of 1 day’s pay indicates that whatever it was it should have been dealt with at the battalion level and not by Court Martial.

Officer Field General Court Martial

Lt. James Alfred Parker of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment was court martialed in Shallufa, Egypt on February 14, 1916 for “Disobeying CC”. He was found guilty and sentenced to be cashiered after 12 weeks hard labour. His sentence was remitted to 56 days at which point he was to be returned to the UK and dishonourably discharged from the Army.

The WO 90/6 Judge Advocate General’s Office: General Courts Martial Registers Abroad provides the following details:

Lt. J. A. Parker 1/9th Bn, The Manchester Regt (TF)
Trial Date: 14th Feb 1916.
Where Held: Shallufa
Nature of Charge: Disobeying CC
Sentence: Cashiered & 84 days Hard Labour
Remitted: 56 days

The London Gazette of the 5th April, 1916 carried the following entry:

Manchester Reg’t. Lieut. James A. Parker is cashiered by sentence of a General Court-Martial. 29th Feb, 1916.

James Alfred Parker was commissioned into the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment as a Second Lieutenant on 8th May, 1914. He sailed with the battalion to Egypt in September 1914 and there was promoted to Lieutenant. On May 9, 1915 he landed on Gallipoli as a platoon commander of B Company. He participated in the bayonet charge of June 18^th and became acting Company Commander when Capt. Harold Sugden was mortally wounded. Just under 3 weeks later he was medically evacuated to the UK suffering from enteric fever. After recovering at home, he sailed back to Egypt and rejoined the battalion on January 21, 1916 while they were at Mena Camp in Cairo. Although physically recovered, all was not well because just three days later he wilfully disobeyed the lawful orders of his Company Commander and was imprisoned pending a Field General Court Martial. On February 14, 1916 the court was convened in Shallufa where the battalion had now moved and he was found guilty. The sentence was subsequently remitted to 8 weeks by the G.O.C. 42^nd Division and the record shows that after serving just 37 days of his sentence in Egypt he was returned to the UK to be cashiered.

Regimental Court Martial

On March 16, 1916 the 3/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment convened a Regimental Court Martial at Codford to try a Gallipoli veteran Cpl. 1205 Samuel Eyre with an offence under Section 40 of the Army Act, 1881. Corporal Eyre joined the 9^th Manchesters on July 1, 1911 and was a Lance-Corporal when the battalion deployed to Egypt in September 1914. He served with them in Egypt and landed in Gallipoli on May 9, 1915. Just over seven weeks later he reported sick with enteric fever and was medically evacuated to Mudros and subsequently back to the UK on September 1, 1915. By October he was out of hospital and after a short furlough reported for duty with the 3/9^th Manchesters. By early 1916, all of the 1/9^th Battalion men who had been medically evacuated from Gallipoli, and had sufficiently recovered, joined the 3/9^th at Codford forming an “Overseas Company”.

On March 11, 1916 Cpl. Eyre was absent without leave from Tatoo, (end of day call to barracks), and did not return for 19 hours, for which he was duly reprimanded. Three days later he was court martialed, charged under Section 40 of acting to the prejudice of good order and military discipline for smoking on parade. The court was ordered by Lt-Col. R.B. Nowell the acting Commanding Officer of the 3/9^th Battalion and himself a Gallipoli veteran. The president of the court was Capt. N. Wilkinson of the 3/9^th Battalion and the other two members of the court were Lt. W.T. Forshaw, V.C., and 2/Lt. C.E. Cooke both Gallipoli veterans of the 1/9^th Manchesters. Capt. A.G. Birchenall, Adjutant of the 3/9^th Battalion was the prosecutor. The charge was brought by C.S.M. 806 Cornelius Finch on the orders of 2/Lt. W.J. Ablitt. CSM 339 Mathew James Buckley made a short and mildly positive character statement on behalf of the accused. All three were Gallipoli veterans. There was no officer appointed to aid with the defence. Cpl. Eyre plead guilty and was reduced to the ranks.

Gallipoli Field General Courts Martial Summary

In all, 32 enlisted men of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment were court martialed in Gallipoli, five of whom were found not guilty and one had their conviction quashed. Nobody from the battalion was charged with cowardice or desertion. Half of the remaining cases were for sleeping or leaving without permission while on sentry duty or for leaving the trenches without permission. These cases generally resulted in the harshest penalties of imprisonment with hard labour and in one case death. All of these sentences were either commuted or suspended upon review but the clear intent was to send a message to all in the battalion. Contradicting the implication that this group of men were somehow of low moral fiber it’s important to note that at least two of them were underage and four of them went on to be decorated for bravery in the field.

259 Field General Courts Martial were held during the Gallipoli Campaign, (including a handful at Mustapha, Egypt and a couple at Mudros), for enlisted men of the 12 infantry battalions of the 42^nd (East Lancs) Division. The 126^th Infantry Brigade, that the 9^th Manchesters belonged to, accounted for almost half of those cases and the brigade was responsible for more than half of all the cases of insubordination, disobedience and theft, thanks largely to the contribution of the 1/5^th East Lancs Regiment. On a more positive note, the 126^th Brigade accounted for only two of the nine cases of cowardice that were prosecuted by the 42^nd Division.

Table of “standard” offences of a Field General Court Martial:

Section	Standard Offences
4	Cowardice
12	Desertion
10	Absence and Breaking out of Barracks or Camp
8	Striking or Violence to Superior Officer
10	Insubordination and Threatening Disobedience
6	Quitting or Sleeping on Post
19	Drunkenness
24	Injuring or Making away with Property, etc.
24	Losing Property, etc.
18	Theft
18	Indecency
10	Resisting or Escaping Escort
22	Escaping Confinement

Table of “miscellaneous” offences that the enlisted men of the 42^nd (East Lancs) Division were charged with during the Gallipoli Campaign:

Section	Miscellaneous Offence
S.5.5	Spreading reports intended to create unnecessary alarm and despondency
S.9.1	Disobeying in such a manner as to show wilful defiance of authority
S.11	Neglecting to obey orders
S.12.2a	Attempting to persuade someone to desert
S.18.1b	Feigning or producing disease or infirmity
S.18.2a	Wilfuly injuring yourself or another soldier with the intent to render them unfit for service
S.20.2	Wilfully and w/o reasonable excuse allowing someone to escape who was in their charge or whose duty it was to guard
S.24.5	Ill-treating a horse
S.40	Any act, conduct, disorder, or neglect, to the prejudice of good order and military discipline

9th Battalion Manchester Regiment RAMC (Attached)

In addition to the enlisted men of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, five Territorial Force (TF) Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) enlisted men from the 1/2nd East Lancs Field Ambulance were attached to the battalion and accompanied them to Egypt and Gallipoli. These five men were, for all intents and purposes, regular members of the battalion posted to a Company but who reported to the battalion’s Medical Officer, Surgeon Major Albert Hilton, RAMC.

Lance-Sgt. 176 Henry (Harry) Cooper, Pte. 179 Richard Cooper, Pte. 177 Joe Bridge, Pte. 270 Richard Handley and Pte. 317 Joseph Rothwell were all from Ashton and Dukinfield and were all former members of the battalion who had subsequently been posted to the RAMC. In their late twenties at the outbreak of war, at least three were former Old Volunteers (and one missed being an Old Volunteer by just a few weeks). Four of them also worked together at New Moss Colliery, Ashton and had done so for some years.

L/Sgt. 176 Henry (Harry) Cooper

Harry Cooper was born on July 4, 1886 in Dukinfield, Cheshire. His father Horatio Cooper was a Colliery engineer and by 1911 Harry was married with a son and a daughter, living in Dukinfield and employed as a below ground filler at New Moss Colliery. Harry was an Old Volunteer, serving with the 3^rd Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment, and joined the Territorial Force on April 11, 1908 and was given the service number 176. At the outbreak of war, Harry Cooper was a Lance Sergeant in the RAMC and attached to the 9^th Manchesters for war service. He deployed to Egypt in September 1914 and landed in Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters on May 9, 1915.

The Saturday 04 September 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter carried the following article:-

GALLANT DEEDS BY TERRITORIALS.

Two Dukinfield Men Honoured.

COUSINS CONGRATULATED.

Divisional Officer Commends Brave Action.

ATTENDED WOUNDED WHILE UNDER FIRE,

Touching Story of Men Found Lying in Dug-Out.

Lance-Sergeant Harry Cooper, Royal Army Medical Corps, who resided at 21, Peel-street, Dukinfield, and was a miner at New Mom Colliery, and became attached to the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Territorials with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at the Dardanelles, has distinguished himself by brave conduct in the firing line in a letter to his wife, dated July 27th, he says

“Twenty men and one officer arrived here from Ashton this week, but I only knew one, still it made one think of home. I see you have got it in the Reporter’ about Colonel Wade and the other two officers, but they are not the first, and, sorry to say, not the last. Up to now people at home have no idea what war is like, or some of the young men would hurry up, and so end it sooner. The sights I saw after one bombardment I shall never forget. All night and all day at our medical aid post the medical officer, Dick Rothwell, Bridge, and myself worked without any rest dressing wounded British, and also Turks who had surrendered. It’s first come first served. Since then, there have been two other big engagements, but not like the first, and I hope it will soon be over, and that with God’s help I may return home safe again. Enclosed is a certificate. Put it by for me, and keep it clean; you can have it framed if you like.”

“The General Officer commanding the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division congratulates Lance-sergt. Harry Cooper, RAMC., on the gallant action performed by him on June 7th, 1915.- William Douglas, Major General, commanding 42nd East Lancashire Div.”

“I got it along with Dick Cooper (his cousin, Private Richard Cooper, R.A.M.C., who resides at 2, Ogden-street, Dukinfield, now with the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Territorials in the Dardanelles) for going and dressing wounded.”

“I was asked if I would like to go and drees some wounded men. I went, and Dick followed me. We had to crawl on our stomachs along the open in front of the enemy’s lines under fire. We got in a dug-out, and found an officer and a sergeant wounded. They had been there three days. We dressed their wounds, but could not bring them back with us. I shall never forget how they cried after we left them. They begged us to take them out, but it was impossible, so we had to leave them, but as they had had nothing to eat or drink from being wounded, I went out again to them with something to eat and drink. Two days afterwards they got a road to them. The officer had died that morning, but the sergeant was alive, and is now in hospital.”

This card (certificate) was presented to us in recognition for what we had done, and I have only one regret, and that is that the officer died after all.

Note: The letter home was almost certainly written on June 27, 1915 not July as stated in the Reporter.

Harry was promoted to Sergeant effective June 1, 1915 perhaps, in part, for his actions that day. Since this created the need for a Corporal, Pte Joe Bridge was simultaneously promoted to Corporal.

Without a surviving service record we do not know the details of Harry Cooper’s remaining war service but we do know that he survived the war and did not apply for a war pension.

Pte. 179 Richard Cooper

Dick Cooper was born on February 21, 1887 in Dukinfield. His father Edward Cooper was a below ground miner and was the older brother of Harry Cooper’s father Horatio. By 1911 Dick Cooper was married with two sons, living in Dukinfield and employed as a hewer at New Moss Colliery. There is no surviving service record for Dick Cooper but based upon his Territorial service number of 179 he must have attested with the Territorial Force on or around April 11, 1908, with his cousin Harry, and was very likely himself an Old Volunteer. Dick Cooper had a younger brother, James Henry Cooper, who joined the 9^th Battalion on Saturday February 14, 1914 on the evening of the Smoking Concert at Ashton Town Hall which was the culmination of a highly successful recruiting drive. The two brothers deployed to Egypt in September 1914 and landed in Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters on May 9, 1915; Dick as a private in the RAMC and James Cooper as a private in C Company.

The Saturday 04 September 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter article ended with:-

Private Richard Cooper, R.A.M.C., of 3, Ogden-street, Dukinfield, has also received a similar certificate from Major-General Douglas. In a letter to his wife, he says:

“Our James has been wounded, and he was sent away from here. I was told that his wound was not serious, but I do not know, for I did not see him, because I was in the other trenches dressing the wounded. I am sending a card (certificate) with this letter, and I want you to take care of it, because I want to have it framed. The officer says it will not be all that I shall get. It was for going out in the open and dressing five men, one sergeant, and one officer. Me and Harry (Lance-Sergeant Harry Cooper mentioned above) went out together, and we got a card apiece.”

Private Cooper was also attached to the 1/9th Manchester Territorials, and, like his cousin, was a miner at Moss Colliery before going out to the war.

Clearly the letter home from Dick Cooper was written before June 20, 1915 because the Saturday 03 July 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter carried the following sad news:-

DIED OF WOUNDS
Ashton Territorial Leaves Wife and Two Children

Official intimation has been received that Private James Henry Cooper, whose wife lives in Church- street, Ashton, and his mother and father in Peel-street, Dukinfield, has died from wounds received on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Private Cooper was in the Ashton Territorials. He has two other brothers in the Army, one in the R.A.M.C. Division of the Ashton Territorials, and the other in Kitchener’s Army. He leaves a wife and two children.

On Sunday morning the family and relatives attended St. Mark’s Church, Dukinfield, and also a number of men from the Armoury, as a mark of respect. The Rev. W. King, curate, delivered an appropriate sermon. In the evening a service was held at the Hill-street Mission, Dukinfield, when Mr. Kendrick, who had known Private Cooper from boyhood, delivered an address.

Prior to the outbreak of the war Private Cooper was a collier at the Ashton Moss Colliery, and had already been in the 9th Battalion 12 months. The last Mrs. Cooper heard from him was a week last Tuesday, when he wrote that he was quite well, and hoped she and the “kiddies” were the same. He added that he had seen some horrible sights since they had landed in the Dardanelles, and the bursting of shells all around and over them was terrible. The official intimation stated that he died on the 20th June.

Without a surviving service record we don’t know the details of Dick Cooper’s remaining war service but we do know that he survived the war and was granted a war pension for some minor disability caused by his war service.

Pte. 177 Joe Bridge

Joe Bridge was born on July 21, 1888 in Ashton under Lyne. His father Joseph Bridge was a minder at a Cotton Mill. By 1911 Joe was living as a boarder with the Mason family in Ashton and working as a piecer in a cotton mill. Joe eventually married Lilly Mason, the Mason’s oldest daughter, in early 1918 but in 1911 he was still single. Joe joined the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on May 13, 1908, having not previously served with the Volunteers, and was given the service number of 362. Six months later he transferred to the RAMC, Territorial Force but remained attached to the 9^th Manchesters. With them he attended the summer camps each year (skipping the one at Aldershot in 1913) and re-enlisted for an additional four years on June 25, 1912. At the outbreak of war, he was a private in the RAMC and attached to the 9^th Manchesters for war service. He signed his Territorial Force Agreement to Serve Overseas (form E.624) on September 1, 1914 at Chesham Fold Camp and deployed to Egypt with the battalion. Here he committed a couple of minor infractions in December 1914 (not complying with battalion orders) and March 1915 (absent without leave from camp overnight).

He landed in Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters on May 9, 1915 and came through the campaign unscathed being promoted to Corporal, (effective June 1, 1915), upon the promotion to Sergeant of Harry Cooper. He remained with the battalion in Egypt in 1916 and once again committed a couple of minor infractions in April 1916 (not complying with battalion orders) and May 1916 (late on Parade). He became time expired on May 13, 1916 but was compelled to serve an additional year under the terms of his engagement with the Territorials. In March 1917 he sailed with the battalion to France and on May 13, 1917 was again required to continue in the service, this time for the duration of the war, under the terms of the Military Service Act, 1916. He took a short home leave in June 1917 and another longer home leave of 31 days in January 1918 when he married Lily Mason in a registry office in Ashton under Lyne. Shortly after his return to France he was transferred to the 5^th Field Ambulance and did not rejoin the 9^th Manchesters again. His new unit was not quite so tolerant of his minor infractions and so on August 19, 1918 he was reduced to the rank of private for “inefficiency”. On April 17, 1919 he proceeded to the UK to be demobilised which finally occurred on May 16, 1919. In 1923 he was. Perhaps somewhat ironically, awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal implying that he may have rejoined after the war when the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment was reformed in late 1920.

Pte. 270 Richard Handley

Richard Handley was born in Ashton under Lyne on September 10, 1885.By 1911 he was married, living in Ashton and working as a below ground filler at New Moss Colliery, like Harry Cooper. Richard was a former member of the 3^rd Volunteer battalion Manchester Regiment but had since left the service. He enlisted in the East Lancs Royal Army Medical Corps, Territorial Force on January 7, 1914 and was given the service number 270. At the outbreak of war, he was a private in the RAMC and attached to the 9^th Manchesters for war service. He deployed to Egypt in September 1914 and landed in Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters on May 9, 1915.

Pte Handley survived the Gallipoli Campaign intact and deployed with the battalion to Egypt in 1916 and then to France in March 1917. Since he had been continuously serving overseas for around 2 ½ years he was granted a short UK leave in April 1917. He rejoined the battalion in France on April 30^th and remained with them until July 1917 when he transferred to home service. In September 1918 he was transferred to Class W (T) Reserve and was finally discharged on March 28, 1919. Suffering from rheumatism linked to his overseas service he was awarded the Silver War badge and for a time collected a small war pension.

Pte. 317 Joseph Rothwell

Joseph Rothwell was born on March 4, 1886 in Ashton under Lyne. His father George Harry Rothwell was a bobbin turner (a woodworker that made bobbins for the cotton industry). By early 1911 Joseph was married with two daughters, living in Ashton and working as a Carter for a laundry. He joined the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on July 1, 1911, (as one of a group of around 30 men that attested that day), and by this time was working as a miner at New Moss Colliery. He was given the initial service number of 1183 and reported on his attestation papers that he was an Old Volunteer, previously serving with the 3^rd Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment. At the outbreak of war he was a private in the RAMC and attached to the 9^th Manchesters for war service. Like Joe Bridge, he signed his Territorial Force Agreement to Serve Overseas (form E.624) on September 1, 1914 at Chesham Fold Camp and deployed to Egypt. He subsequently landed in Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters on May 9, 1915.

In August 1915 Joseph aggravated a hernia, (that he was suffering from when he attested), while carrying wounded men. He reported this the battalion’s Medical Officer, Major Thomas Frankish, RAMC who authorized his medical evacuation. Joseph was operated on at the No. 5 Stationary Hospital (Queen’s University of Kingston, Ontario), Canadian Mediterranean Forces, Abbassia Barracks, Cairo. After he had sufficiently recovered, he was repatriated to the UK where he was able to spend Christmas 1915 at home with his family. Since he was due to become time expired on June 30, 1916 he elected to pre-emptively re-engage with the Territorial Force on April 29, 1916. He served the remainder of the war separate from the 9^th Manchesters and was disembodied on February 15, 1919.

Gallipoli NCOs of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

On August 14, 1914 the ‘Reporter’ group of local newspapers published the nominal roll of men in the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment. We know that this list was not one hundred percent accurate since it has some obvious typos and one or two slightly out of date ranks. Additionally, it does not provide any service numbers which 110 years later presents some challenges in corroborating all of the men listed. Nevertheless, it does provide a strong basis for understanding the organization and constitution of the companies and their Non-Commissioned Officers who deployed to Chesham Fold Camp in September 1914 and subsequently to Egypt and then Gallipoli in 1915.

Over 100 men joined the battalion in late August and early September before they departed for Egypt, and some of those men, such as 2117 Titus Cropper, became NCOs by the time the battalion landed at Gallipoli on May 9, 1915. Many of the men who enlisted during this period had prior military service and so were natural potential additions to the ranks of the NCOs.

On September 5, 1914 the men were asked to volunteer for overseas service, which was not a requirement under the terms of enlistment for the Territorial Force, and after some initial hesitation the overwhelming majority of them signed the required Army Form E.624 paperwork.

From the list published on August 14 we can identify with some certainty the NCOs who deployed to Egypt and then Gallipoli. However, when the battalion landed in Egypt, they switched from the old pre-war eight company formation to the new four company formation. In a four-company battalion, each company was made up of approximately 250 men in 4 platoons with each platoon consisting of 4 sections. At full strength, the battalion had a Regimental Sergeant Major and Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. Additionally, each company had a Company Sergeant Major, a Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 8 sergeants and 10 Corporals. The companies were labeled ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ and were formed by combining two of the old companies, thus the old ‘A’ and ‘B’ companies were combined to form the new ‘A’ company, the old ‘C’ and ‘D’ companies were combined to form the new ‘B’ company, and so on. In each new company, one of the two Colour Sergeants of the old company was appointed Company Sergeant Major and the other was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant.

And just to further complicate matters, on 28 January 1915, Army Order 70 of 1915 was published creating the new rank of Warrant Officer Class II, (WO II), becoming the rank from which a man would typically be appointed to become Regimental Sergeant Major which was a Warrant Officer Class I rank. Company Quartermaster Sergeants did not carry the WO II rank but Regimental Quartermaster Sergeants did. Thus, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Boocock was variously referenced in military records and newspaper reports as Q.M.S., Colour Sergeant and C.Q.M.S. all of which were effectively the same rank.

Nevertheless, by reviewing the published nominal roll of August 14th we know which new companies each of the NCOs and men belonged to – at least before the expediencies of combat caused some men to be moved around.

In the lists below, ranks are those held in August 1914. Men whose names are struck out with no service number did not travel overseas. Except otherwise noted, those men whose names are struck out but with service numbers traveled to Egypt in September 1914 but did not serve in Gallipoli.

Permanent Staff

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Sgt Major	2716	Joseph		Fowler
Col Sgt	2673	James		Holt
Sgt	228	James		Craig

Notes:

Two out of the three members of the permanent staff deployed overseas but only one deployed to Gallipoli.

Sgt. James Craig

Prior to joining the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment as Sergeant on the permanent staff, James Craig spent 12 years in the Regular Army serving in South Africa, the Channel Islands and Ireland (with brief interspersed spells in England) with the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment.

He did not serve in Egypt or Gallipoli, instead he remained in the UK serving with the 2/9^th Manchesters as Company Sergeant Major throughout 1915 and until at least August 1916. He later transferred back to his former regiment, but this time with the 1^st Battalion, as Quartermaster Sergeant, deploying to Mesopotamia where he died from heat stroke and gastritis in Baghdad on July 14, 1917 leaving a wife and four young children.

Col. Sgt. James Holt

Colour Sergeant Instructor James Holt deployed to Egypt with the battalion but was invalided back to the UK from Egypt in March 1915, arriving in Ashton in early April, where he was treated at Whitworth St, Hospital.

RSM Fowler — Regimental Sergeant Major Fowler

He did not serve in Gallipoli and spent the remainder of the war on home service. He was later commissioned into the Labour Corps on May 12, 1917. The departure of Colour Sergeant Instructor Holt in Egypt left a serious gap in the battalion’s operational effectiveness and efficiency, consequently Sergeant Instructor John Alexander Christie of the 5^th East Lancs Regiment was permanently attached to the 1/9^th Manchesters and provided exemplary service.

A Company NCOs:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Col Sgt	257	John		Williamson
QMS	160	Thomas		Burgess
Col Sgt	344	Joseph		Chadderton
Sgt	22	Walter		Hawkins
Sgt	–	S		Hill
Sgt	969	Harry		Grantham
Sgt	287	Charles		Spencer
Sgt	643	Squire		Ellor
Sgt	313	George	Grayson	Mellor
Sgt	–	T		Lord
Sgt	27	James		Nolan
Sgt	64	Alfred		Smith
Sgt	164	Alfred		Scott
Sgt	–	J		Litchfield
L/Sgt	83	Thomas		McDermott
L/Sgt	1271	James		Taylor
Cpl	921	Harry		Bolter
Cpl	121	John	William	Tasker
L/Cpl	1188	William	Henry	Martin
L/Cpl	180	Samuel		Bayley
L/Cpl	596	Harry		Whitehead
L/Cpl	1192	Harry		Trunkfield
L/Cpl	1289	Gerald		Massey
L/Cpl	497	Alfred		Parkins
L/Cpl	1194	William		Chorlton

Notes:

QMS Thomas Burgess deployed to Egypt but did not serve in Gallipoli.
Sgt 27 James Nolan was the battalion’s master cook.
L/Cpl. 497 Alfred Parkins deployed to Egypt but likely did not serve in Gallipoli.
L/Cpl 596 Harry Whitehead was deprived of his stripe in Heliopolis on February 10, 1915 and reverted to Private.

B Company NCOs:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Col Sgt	540	William		Birchall
Col Sgt	339	Mathew	James	Buckley
Sgt	236	George		Turner
Sgt	526	Thomas		Moss
Sgt	104	Harry		Ingham
Sgt	65	Joseph		Fearns
Sgt	1128	Harry		Earle
L/Sgt	845	Albert		Royle
L/Sgt	–	W H		Thorp
L/Sgt	1008	Michael		McHugh
L/Sgt	1171	George		Eyre
L/Sgt	1495	Thomas		Knight
L/Sgt	1205	Samuel		Eyre
Cpl	1010	Sidney		Wood
Cpl	–	J		Atherton
L/Cpl	–	S		Gibson
L/Cpl	1425	Edward		Brown
L/Cpl	787	George		Stringer
L/Cpl	1676	Tom		Littleford
L/Cpl	1734	Herbert	Wilfred	Mathews
L/Cpl	1452	Alvin		Sumner
L/Cpl	1669	Joseph		Wilde
L/Cpl	379	Thomas		Ghenty
L/Cpl	1123	Wil		Marsh
L/Cpl	1233	John	William	Smith
L/Cpl	1306	Reuben		Tyson
L/Cpl	1326	Harold		Shaw
L/Cpl	1464	George		Bromley
L/Cpl	1478	Benjamin		Love
L/Cpl	1486	Charles	Ernest	Wood

Notes:

L/Sgt 845 Albert Royle was invalided home from Egypt and likely did not serve in Gallipoli.
L/Sgt 1008 Michael McHugh did not travel overseas and was discharged with Phthisis on May 16, 1915.

C Company NCOs:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
QMS	5	George		Boocock
Col Sgt	237	Henry		Stringer
Col Sgt	154	George		Newton
Sgt	220	Albert		Fletcher
Sgt	128	Thomas		Langan
Sgt	76	James		Lawton
Sgt	445	John	Albert	Simcox
Sgt	427	Thompson		Tym
Sgt	469	Harry		Illingworth
Sgt	1125	Noel	Duncan	Braithwaite
Sgt	1126	Joseph	Cox	Harrop
L/Sgt	–	J W		Morrison
L/Sgt	–	S		Still
L/Sgt	1244	Walter	Steuart	Eaton
L/Sgt	41	James		Stopford
Cpl	–	S		Kelley
Cpl	1551	Fred		Jones
Cpl	1550	Thomas		Winded
Cpl	243	Thomas		Valentine
Cpl	1480	James		Horsefield
Cpl	54	Arthur		Berisford
Cpl	1520	Frank		Morton
Cpl	1310	Herbert		Morris
L/Cpl	1044	Thomas		Gorman
L/Cpl	1313	James	William	Ramsdale
L/Cpl	1358	George	James	Silvester
L/Cpl	1364	Frank		Howard
L/Cpl	–	R		Adams
L/Cpl	174	John	Henry	Shawcross
L/Cpl	1415	William		Mason
L/Cpl	1423	Albert		Burgess
L/Cpl	1773	Alfred		Binns
L/Cpl	1307	Robert		Constantine
L/Cpl	1246	John		Hampson
L/Cpl	1487	Ernest		Rimmington

Notes:

Cpl 1551 Fred Jones was actually a Sergeant by August 14, 1914. He was commissioned on September 30, 1914 and landed at Gallipoli as one of the battalion’s officers where he was killed in action.
L/Cpl 1307 Robert Constantine chose to revert to Private while in Egypt in 1914 and continued to serve as private.

D Company NCOs:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Col Sgt	108	Robert		Jackson
Col Sgt	266	Albert		Green
Sgt	–	T		Grimshaw
Sgt	31	Thomas		Lomas
Sgt	341	John		Lee
Sgt	136	Henry		Harrison
Sgt	58	Arthur		Bashforth
Sgt	806	Cornelius		Finch
Sgt	680	Thomas		Hargreaves
Sgt	1151	John		Lawler
Cpl	400	James		Chapman
Cpl	724	Joseph	Edward	Appleby
Cpl	1484	John	William	Hughes
Cpl	–	S		Spruce
Cpl	1457	Thomas		Goley
L/Cpl	109	Samuel	Charles	Whitton
L/Cpl	447	Ernest		Eyres
L/Cpl	885	Frank		Goddard
L/Cpl	553	Albert		Bromley
L/Cpl	1119	Percy		Borsey
L/Cpl	1112	William	Emmanuel	Hawley
L/Cpl	–	S		Ingham
L/Cpl	1120	Thomas		Forrest
L/Cpl	–	E		Abbott
L/Cpl	1920	William		Mitcheson
L/Cpl	–	T		Lee
L/Cpl	–	S		Stevenson
L/Cpl	1286	William		Bennison

Notes:

Sgt 58 Arthur Bashforth was a Pioneer Sergeant.
L/Cpl 553 Albert Bromley was discharged due to sickness on November 2, 1914 and did not travel overseas.
L/Cpl 1112 William Hawley was deprived of his stripe at Chesham Fold Camp for being drunk.
L/Cpl 1120 Thomas Forrest was promoted to Corporal on January 11, 1915.

Machine Gun Section:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Sgt	526	Thomas		Moss
Cpl	1364	Frank		Howard

Signallers:

Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
Sgt	136	Henry		Harrison
L/Cpl	447	Ernest		Eyres

Senior NCOs of the 1/9th Manchesters

The two most senior NCOs of a four-company battalion were the Regimental Sergeant Major and the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant.

Regimental Sergeant Major:

Colour Sergeant Joseph Fowler of the permanent staff was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major (A/RSM) on September 1, 1911. On April 8, 1915 he was appointed 1^st Class Warrant Officer by Divisional Orders confirming his A/RSM appointment. On July 21, 1915 he reverted back to Colour Sergeant when he left Gallipoli for good upon being wounded and medically evacuated to the UK, returning to Ashton in October 1915. In England he joined the 3/9^th (Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment and was appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of the “Additional (Overseas) Company, 9^th (Reserve) Battalion” March 28, 1916, (vice CSM Buckley who had just left to rejoin the battalion in Egypt). He was discharged on July 3, 1916 being no Longer Physically Fit for military service after 26 years 280 days service.

Sergeant Instructor John Alexander Christie (attached) was promoted to Company Sergeant Major (WO Class II) and simultaneously appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major (WO Class I) in June 1915 when RSM Fowler was wounded. He was confirmed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on July 21, 1915 when RSM Fowler was medically evacuated to the UK. Christie remained as A/RSM until August 3, 1915 when he was himself medically evacuated to Alexandria suffering from pneumonia. On August 4, 1915 CSM Albert Green (D Company) was appointed A/RSM (vice Christie) and remained in this position until October 20, 1915 when Christie returned to Gallipoli and assumed the Acting Regimental Sergeant Major position. Christie retained this position until the evacuation of the Peninsula and remained with the battalion until late 1918.

Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant:

Colour Sergeant George Boocock was appointed Acting Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (RQMS) when the battalion disembarked in Egypt on September 27, 1914 and converted to the new four-company organizational structure. As such he reported directly to Major Connery, the battalion’s Quartermaster, and there is ample anecdotal evidence that the two men, the oldest of the battalion that deployed to Gallipoli, had a close and highly effective working relationship. On July 13, 1915 RQMS Boocock was wounded in the foot by a stray bullet and medically evacuated to England. Company Quartermaster Sergeant Henry Stringer, formerly of C Company, was immediately promoted to Acting Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (A/RQMS) and was confirmed in the position of RQMS (WO Class II) on August 13, 1915. RQMS Stringer, (2/Lt. Ned Stringer’s cousin), remained in this position for the remainder of the battalion’s time in Gallipoli. In fact, he retained this position until he left the battalion in early 1918.

Colour Sergeants:

All 10 Colour Sergeants on the August 14, 1914 Nominal Roll served overseas and, not surprisingly, all 10 were Old Volunteers, (men who had served with the Volunteer Force before April 1, 1908).

Colour Sergeant and QMS Thomas Burgess deployed to Egypt with the battalion in September 1914 and served with them until he contracted nephritis in early 1915. He was treated at the Citadel Hospital, Cairo and subsequently at the 2^nd Western General Hospital, Manchester. He was discharged on June 26, 1915 being no longer physically fit, at age 51. Remarkably, he re-joined the 3/9th Battalion the following day for home service, light duty, until he was once again, this time permanently, discharged on May 4, 1917.

When the eight-company battalion was converted into a four-company battalion, one of the two Colour Sergeants forming each of the new companies was appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM) while the other was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant CQMS). The following table shows which Colour Sergeant was holding which role in the new companies when the battalion landed in Gallipoli.

A Company:
Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
CQMS	257	John		Williamson
CSM	344	Joseph		Chadderton

B Company:
Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
CQMS	540	William		Birchall
CSM	339	Mathew	James	Buckley

C Company:
Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
CQMS	154	George		Newton
CSM	1773	Alfred		Binns

D Company:
Rank	No.	First	Middle	Surname
CQMS	108	Robert		Jackson
CSM	266	Albert		Green

Discussion

By reviewing the Medal Rolls of the battalion’s NCOs we can see the highest rank they achieved and consequently we know which of them made the rank of Colour Sergeant or Warrant Officer Class II. These men were then “candidates” to be appointed Company Sergeant Major or Company Quartermaster Sergeant to either temporarily or permanently replace the original holders of the positions. The Medal Roll however, does not provide a date of achieving and holding the rank and consequently the data does not necessarily apply to their time in Gallipoli.

However, the several surviving service records and references from the Ashton Reporter allow us to construct, with a reasonable degree of certainty, the likely holders of the top NCO positions in each Company during the battalion’s time in Egypt and then Gallipoli. Those sections below that involve a certain amount of speculation are presented in italic font.

A Company CSM:

When the battalion landed in Egypt on September 27, 1914 Colour Sergeant Joseph Chadderton was appointed Company Sergeant Major (CSM) of A Company. On January 30, 1915 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class II (WOII) and confirmed as CSM. He remained with the battalion in this role until he was medically evacuated to England on October 8, 1915 possibly having left the peninsula some time before. He remained in the UK for the remainder of the war serving as Regimental Sergeant Major of the Command Depot from where he was discharged on March 5, 1918.

CSM Chadderton’s enforced absence left a gap which needed to be filled. There were only two possible candidates in A Company: Sgt 27 James Nolan and Sgt 64 Alfred Smith. There are no surviving service records for these men. However, Sergeant Nolan was the battalion’s Master Cook and so we can reasonably presume that taking care of the men’s stomachs took precedence over any other appointment. That only left Sgt 64 Alfred Smith and so the assumption is that he was appointed Acting CSM and promoted to Acting WO II.

A Company CQMS:

Colour Sergeant John Williamson was appointed CQMS of A Company when the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914. He deployed to Gallipoli but was wounded and medically evacuated to England on July 5, 1915. The Ashton Reported published an interview with him upon his arrival in Ashton and indicated that he was the first man of the 9th Manchesters that served in Gallipoli to arrive home.

CQMS Williamson’s enforced absence left a gap which needed to be filled. There were only three possible candidates in A Company: Sgt 313 George Grayson Mellor, Sgt 164 Alfred Scott and Sgt 83 Thomas McDermott. There are no surviving service records for these men. However, the August 14, 1915 edition of the Ashton Reporter published a letter from the Sergeants of A company to the fiancé of Sgt 1271 James Taylor who died of wounds on July 12, 1915. The names of Thomas McDermott and George Mellor are both missing from the list of signatories. The implication is that they were temporarily or permanently absent from Gallipoli which leaves only Sgt 164 Alfred Scott as the possible candidate. Consequently, the assumption is that Sgt 164 Alfred Scott was appointed Acting CQMS.

Regardless of who temporarily filled the CQMS role for A Company after CQMS Williamson departed, on November 6, 1915 Sgt 1244 Walter Steuart Eaton was appointed acting CQMS. He held this role for approximately six weeks before being promoted to CQMS on December 6, 1915. He then held this position until May 24, 1917 when he left the battalion prior to being awarded a commission.

B Company CSM:

When the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914, Colour Sergeant Mathew James Buckley was appointed Company Sergeant Major of B Company. On January 30, 1915 he was promoted to WO II, retaining the position of CSM. He deployed to Gallipoli and served in this position until he was wounded on June 17, 1915 and was subsequently medically evacuated to England on July 1st. Sergeant 65 Joseph Ferns was reported to be acting CSM right after the June 18^th bayonet charge confirming that he at least temporarily replaced CSM Buckley. Sergeant Ferns was himself wounded on September 15, 1915 and subsequently repatriated to England.

It is not clear who, if anyone, filled the CSM role when Sgt Ferns left Gallipoli as there were no other candidates left in B Company.

On November 25, 1915 Sergeant Thomas Hargreaves was appointed acting CSM. On Christmas day 1915 he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class II and confirmed in the position of CSM. A position he held until he left the battalion in August 1916 upon being awarded a commission.

B Company CQMS:

When the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914 Colour Sergeant William Birchall was appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant of B Company. CQMS Birchall was reported to have been slightly wounded in the chest but remained with the battalion throughout their entire time in Gallipoli. He died of wounds on September 25, 1917 in France while serving with the battalion.

C Company CSM:

When the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914 Colour Sergeant Henry Stringer was appointed Company Sergeant Major of C Company. But on January 30, 1915 instead of being promoted to WO II, as the other CSMs were, Henry Stringer relinquished the CSM position and was instead appointed CQMS. It is likely that this was to fill the gap created by QMS Thomas Burgess’s illness and consequently his responsibilities would have been primarily to support RQMS Boocock’s section. After the battalion landed in Gallipoli, CQMS Stringer was appointed acting RQMS on July 13, 1915 when George Boocock was wounded and repatriated. He was subsequently promoted to RQMS, and promoted to WO II, on August 13, 1915.

It is likely that L/Cpl. 1773 Alfred Binns was appointed CSM of C Company on January 30, 1915 (vice Henry Stringer) and remained in this position until May 4, 1916 when he reported sick to hospital. Prior to joining the Territorials, Alfred Binns served 12 years in the Regular Army as an NCO with the 1st Derbyshire Regiment and the 10th and 18th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales’s Own). He was a Boer War veteran and joined the 9th Manchesters at the February 14, 1914 recruiting night when he was 31 years old. Eminently qualified, he was rapidly promoted in Egypt as the battalion went through training and was clearly the best candidate to replace Henry Stringer as CSM in late January 1915.

C Company CQMS:

Colour Sergeant George Newton was appointed CQMS of C Company when the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914 and remained in the CQMS position until May 4, 1916 when he was appointed acting Company Sergeant Major, (and promoted to acting Warrant Officer Class II), when CSM Alfred Binns reported sick. He was confirmed in the position and formally promoted when CSM Binns was medically evacuated to England on June 20, 1916. CSM Newton retained this rank until he left the battalion upon being awarded a commission.

D Company CSM:

Albert Green was one of those lucky few that survived Gallipoli unscathed. He was appointed CSM of D Company when the battalion landed in Egypt in September 1914 and served in that capacity in Gallipoli. On August 4, 1915 he was appointed acting Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) temporarily replacing RSM John Alexander Christie who had been medically evacuated to Alexandria with pneumonia the day before. CSM Green retained the RSM position until RSM Christie returned on October 20, 1915. In order to fill the gap in D Company, Sergeant Cornelius Finch was appointed acting CSM on August 4, 1915, (vice CSM Albert Green). Sgt Finch retained this position for seven weeks until Sept 27, 1915 when he too was medically evacuated, in his case to the UK via Malta suffering from dysentery. Albert Green resumed his position as CSM of ‘D’ Company approximately 3 weeks later on October 20, 1915 upon the return of RSM Christie.

It’s worth noting that when Sgt Cornelius Finch was medically evacuated from Gallipoli he effectively relinquished the acting rank of CSM and reverted back to the rank of Sergeant when he boarded the ship home but administratively this reversion of rank did not occur until much later. Back in the UK, in 1916, he was still considered to be holding the rank of (acting ) CSM and consequently was referred to as such by the local newspapers.

D Company CQMS:

Colour Sergeant Robert Jackson was appointed CQMS when the battalion landed in Egypt in 1914 and remained in the CQMS position until he was medically evacuated from Gallipoli, arriving in Ashton in late October 1915. The only viable candidate from D Company available to replace him was Sergeant 341 John Lee. And indeed the Ashton Reporter referred to him as CQMS Lee when he returned home on furlough in 1916.

Boy Soldiers of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

The oldest other ranks member of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment to serve in Gallipoli was 57 years old Quartermaster Sergeant (Q.M.S.) George Boocock, a 32-year veteran and Old Volunteer. At the other end of the spectrum, a number of very young men enlisted and found themselves deployed overseas to Egypt in September 1914 and then to Gallipoli in May 1915. Two of them were Alfred and James Boocock, the only surviving sons of Q.M.S. Boocock, who were treated as the battalion’s “mascots” and proudly and regularly promoted in local newspapers as possibly the youngest territorials in the North of England. In fact, at least seven members of the battalion were younger than James Boocock and both Richard Stott and Fred Finucane were younger than Alfred, making Richard the youngest member of the battalion by five months.

At least 15 members of the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment were, (or would have been), under the age of 17 when they landed in Gallipoli on May 9, 1915 and incredibly three of them were just 14 years old when they landed in Egypt on September 27, 1914.

Rank	No.	Forename	Surname	DoB	Age
Pte	1652	RICHARD	STOTT	Mar-19-1900	15.08
Pte	1845	FREDERICK	FINUCANE	Oct-22-1899	–
Boy	2069	ALFRED	BOOCOCK	Oct-14-1899	15.50
Pte	1682	ERNEST	PEPPER	Mar-20-1899	16.08
Pte	1801	WILLIAM	BARFIELD	Dec-14-1898	16.33
Pte	1711	SIDNEY	OGDEN	Nov-04-1898	16.50
Pte	1966	NORMAN	JACKSON	Sep-15-1898	16.58
Pte	1674	CHARLES	MIDDLETON	Aug-31-1898	16.67
Boy	2070	JAMES	BOOCOCK	Aug-19-1898	16.67
Pte	1741	ARTHUR	BANTON	Aug-10-1898	16.67
Pte	1675	ALFRED	SUMNER	Jul-26-1898	16.75
Pte	1609	ROBERT	McCORMACK	Jul-18-1898	16.75
Pte	2063	THOMAS	PORTINGTON	Jun-28-1898	16.83
Pte	1745	WILLIAM	HALL	May-22-1898	16.92
Pte	1656	EDWARD	HENNESSEY	May-20-1898	16.92

Youngest 9th Manchesters and their Ages on September 27, 1914

In 1914, it was considered perfectly legitimate to attest such boy soldiers and many were sent overseas at the outbreak of hostilities. The prevailing standard was that although boys could attest at 17 any such boys under the age of 19 should not serve in combat but were nevertheless eligible to serve in ancillary roles in a combat zone. The Reverend J. K. Best held Enlisted Boys Classes at Heliopolis Camp in early 1915 with at least 31 attendees from just those battalions of the East Lancs Division who were then present. However, there were only 3 named attendees from the 9^th Manchesters; the Boocock boys and their friend and workmate James Hoke.

In order to officially address the issue of underage boys serving overseas, War Office letter 9/Gen. No./5388D. (A.G. 2B) of 6th September, 1915 was issued followed by Army Council Instruction 1186 of 1916 which collectively laid out the appropriate rules and regulations to be followed. This was followed on October 6, 1916 by Army Council Instruction 1905 of 1916 which replaced and cancelled the previous two instructions.

The Army Council Instructions of 1916 stipulated that boys under the age of 17 currently serving with an overseas expeditionary force must be sent home and instead would serve with a reserve unit in the UK until such time as they attained 19 years of age. Boys between the ages of 17 and 18 ½ were asked if they were willing to be sent home and if so, were treated as above, but if not, were allowed to remain and serve behind the firing line, (at the discretion of the General Officer Commander in Chief). Boys between the ages of 18 1/2 and 19 were not asked but simply posted to a unit behind the firing line while remaining overseas.

These rules and regulations were all well and good to prevent young men who were still in the UK from being prematurely sent overseas but for those who had already deployed overseas it’s not clear that the military authorities did anything but turn a blind eye to it. This attitude prompted questions to be asked in Parliament by parents of underage boys and, in the case of Pte. 1966 Norman Jackson, letters written to the Prime Minister. By the end of the war, every young man eligible for military service was attested shortly after their 18^th birthday and then underwent basic training in the UK before being deployed overseas, potentially into combat, shortly after their 19^th birthday.

Below we examine how these particular young men were able to attest at such a tender age and how did the Army discharge their duty of care towards them?

How Did They Attest?

In 1914, the stated minimum age in recruitment campaigns for the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment was 17 years. On February 14, 1914 the 9^th Manchesters held a very successful recruiting night at Ashton Town Hall which resulted in over 150 men attesting. In fact, it was so successful that men were attesting both in the days shortly before the event, based solely on the advertisement, and shortly after the event as the recruiters were overwhelmed with willing men and boys.

Feb 14, 1914 Recruiting Poster — Feb 14, 1914 Smoking Concert at Ashton Townhall

More than half of our 15 young men attested that night, misrepresenting their ages, one more a few days before and two more shortly thereafter. The next surge of recruits occurred upon the outbreak of war and an additional three youngsters, (including the Boocock brothers), attested on or around August 4, 1914.

No.	Forename	Surname	Enlistment Date	Actual Age	Stated Age
1652	RICHARD	STOTT	14-Feb-14	13.83	17y
1845	FREDERICK	FINUCANE	19-Feb-14	14.25	?
2069	ALFRED	BOOCOCK	04-Aug-14	14.75	14y 10m
1682	ERNEST	PEPPER	14-Feb-14	14.83	17y
1801	WILLIAM	BARFIELD	16-Feb-14	15.17	17y
1711	SIDNEY	OGDEN	14-Feb-14	15.25	?
1966	NORMAN	JACKSON	27-May-14	15.67	17y 8m
1674	CHARLES	MIDDLETON	14-Feb-14	15.42	17y
2070	JAMES	BOOCOCK	04-Aug-14	15.92	16y
1741	ARTHUR	BANTON	14-Feb-14	15.50	17y
1675	ALFRED	SUMNER	14-Feb-14	15.50	17y 6m
1609	ROBERT	McCORMACK	04-Feb-14	15.50	16y 8m
2063	THOMAS	PORTINGTON	06-Aug-14	16.08	16y 6m
1745	WILLIAM	HALL	14-Feb-14	15.67	17y
1656	EDWARD	HENNESSEY	14-Feb-14	15.67	18y 8m

Attestation Date & Stated versus Actual Ages

Contemporaneous newspaper reports indicate that Richard Stott’s family tacitly supported their son’s attestation, his mother noting that “he had always wanted to be a soldier.” And although his immediate family did not provide any military role models, by 1915 he is reported to have had no fewer than six uncles serving in the military, both overseas and in England. Richard was one of four great friends who joined the 9^th Manchesters within days of each other.

We also know from contemporaneous newspaper reports that Fred Finucane attested with his father’s permission, coming as he did from a family with a very strong military background.

Alfred and James Boocock both attested with the full and complete support of their father QMS George Boocock. But why was George Boocock willing to risk the lives of his children when war broke out in August 1914? He was a long serving and totally committed member of the battalion having served in the Volunteers and Territorials most of his adult life and had already brought the boys along to several of the battalion’s summer camps. Additionally, he was a very senior NCO with a strong relationship with the battalion’s Quartermaster Major W.H. Connery, himself a former boy soldier and so no doubt sympathetically disposed. So, he likely felt quite confident that he could keep them out of harm’s way. Nevertheless, history does not record exactly what Mrs. Boocock felt about her husband taking her only two surviving sons off to war in September 1914.

It’s interesting to note that another young man, James Hoke, (not on our shortlist of the very youngest boys above), joined the battalion on Tuesday February 10, 1914 when he was 16 years old. However, he gave his correct age and like the Boococks was assigned the rank of “Boy”. His attestation papers show that he was employed as a joiner for Hadfield Brothers, of Ashton, the same firm of builders that Q.M.S. George Boocock worked for as a joiner foreman. Both the Boocock boys also worked for Hadfield Bros as apprentices and the three boys would have likely been good friends and no doubt wanted to serve together.

Ernest Pepper attested on Saturday February 14, 1914 and provided an age that was 2 years in advance of his actual age. We don’t know if his family approved and supported his actions but we do know that his older brother Philip Pepper attested 3 months later and was also somewhat parsimonious with the truth regarding his real age, since he too was not yet 17 years old at the time.

William Barfield was one of four boys, (William Taylor, Edward Green and Richard Stott being the other three), who were great friends and all joined the 9^th Manchesters within days of each other. Taylor and Green were neighbours in Hurst, Ashton under Lyne living within yards of each other. Taylor, Green and Barfield all worked as piecers at the Cedar Mill in Hurst and Barfield and Stott lived within 100 yards of each other.

Drummer 1635 William Henry Taylor was the first to join on Tuesday February 10, 1914 in the week of the Smoking Concert. He gave his correct age of 16 years and 8 months since he was close to the required age. Pte 1641 Edward Lewis Green was the next to join, attesting the day after, also giving his correct age of 19 years. Richard Stott, although ridiculously underage, quickly followed his two friends by enlisting four days later on the evening of Saturday February 14^th but of course gave a false stated age of 17 years old. Not to be left behind, William Barfield enlisted the following Monday along with all those at the Smoking concert who wanted to enlist but ran out of time.

Sidney Ogden also attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and since he was only 15 at the time it’s reasonable to assume that he too lied about his age. Unfortunately, his service record is not available to confirm but it seems to be a reasonable assumption. Whether or not his parents approved we don’t know but one week later Sidney’s older brother Harry Ogden also attested and at 17 years and nine months old was destined to land in Gallipoli shortly before his 19^th birthday. The oldest Ogden brother, William Ogden, attested during the week on November 16^th, joining the 2/9^th Battalion who were at the time undergoing pre-deployment training in Southport.

It appears that Norman Jackson attested without his father’s permission and over-stated his age by 2 years in order to be accepted. Although there was tolerance of his enlistment before the outbreak of war, thereafter his father spent the next two years lobbying the military and civil authorities to get his son out of the firing line and only succeeded with the issuing of Army Council Instruction 1186, of 1916 which he invoked to good effect.

Charles Arthur Middleton and Arthur Banton also both attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and since they were both only 15 at the time they lied about their ages and stated that they were exactly 17 years old.

Alfred Sumner also attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and like Middleton and Banton was just 15 years old. However, Alfred showed a little originality and overstated his age by exactly 2 years stating that he was 17 years and six months old. Alfred Sumner and Charles Middleton must have been processed at the same time as they received consecutive service numbers.

Robert Daniel MacCormack attested on February 4, 1914, 10 days before the smoking concert. He gave his correct age and his attestation papers show that he was initially given the appropriate rank of “Boy” rather than private. Robert’s older brother Pte. 1285 Albert McCormack was already a member of the battalion having joined almost 2 years earlier in March 1912.

Thomas William Preston Portington attested two days after the outbreak of war embellishing his age by a few months but nevertheless stating that he was still six months under the requisite age of 17. At this time, the battalion was desperately looking to add numbers but was initially selective of the men they added, many of whom had prior military service. Thomas was by all accounts a big lad for his age and worked as a collier at the New Moss Colliery. At least 22 men from the Colliery were already members of the battalion by the time Thomas attested and that perhaps aided his application.

William Henry Hall was among the men who attested on February 14, 1914 and erroneously gave his age as exactly 17 years even though he was still a few months shy of his 16^th birthday.

Edward Hennessey also attested on February 14, 1914 and decided to add exactly two years to his actual age when asked. He too was a collier at New Moss Colliery and was one of at least 12 from the colliery who attested that night, including two of our underage boys; Charles Middleton and Ernest Pepper.

What Happened to Them?

It’s fair to say that these young men did not fare very well as a group with a quarter of them losing their lives while serving their country in the Gallipoli campaign. Five more were wounded in Gallipoli, (William Barfield was wounded twice), and another two were medically evacuated to the UK after becoming sick on the peninsula. One of the wounded boys survived but received life changing injuries and one of the sick evacuees suffered from post-war combat stress. A rather depressing but predictable outcome for a group of boys who had absolutely no business being anywhere near a combat zone.

No.	Forename	Surname	Event	Date
1652	RICHARD	STOTT	DoW	13-Jun-15
1845	FREDERICK	FINUCANE	Died	27-Nov-14
2069	ALFRED	BOOCOCK	Demobed	21-Mar-19
1682	ERNEST	PEPPER	Discharged	22-Nov-16
1801	WILLIAM	BARFIELD	Discharged	6-Feb-1919
1711	SIDNEY	OGDEN	DoW	20-Jun-15
1966	NORMAN	JACKSON	Commissioned	10-Sep-18
1674	CHARLES	MIDDLETON	Demobed	10-Jan-19
2070	JAMES	BOOCOCK	Demobed	08-May-19
1741	ARTHUR	BANTON	Discharged	27-Mar-19
1675	ALFRED	SUMNER	Demobed	3-Mar-1919
1609	ROBERT	McCORMACK	Demobed	–
2063	THOMAS	PORTINGTON	KiA	03-Sep-15
1745	WILLIAM	HALL	Demobed	1-May-19
1656	EDWARD	HENNESSEY	Demobed	16-Jan-19

Military Outcomes of the Youngest Members of the Battalion

Pte. 1652 Richard Stott

Richard Stott died of wounds on June 13, 1915 at sea and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. He was the oldest son of John and Betsy Stott (née Wright) and lived on Wrigley Street, just off Turner Lane which provided many Territorials to the 9th Manchesters. He attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and was reported to be only 5ft 2” tall with a 33 ½ inch chest. At just 13 years of age, it seems incredible to believe that anyone actually believed that he was old enough to serve.

From the Saturday June 26, 1915 Ashton Reporter:

SIX UNCLES SERVING

Ashton Territorial Gives His Life for His Country

“He always said he would be a soldier,” declared Mrs. Stott of Wrigley-street, Ashton, in lamenting the death of her son, Private Richard Stott, of the 9th Batt. Manchester Regiment (Territorials), in respect of whom an official intimation had been received that he had died as the result of wounds received in action at the Dardanelles. Although in his teens he had a strong desire to join the Territorials, and his father, Mr. John Stott, an Ashton Corporation employee, decided not to place any obstacles in the way. He joined the Ashton Batt. Territorials, and volunteered for foreign service. By doing so he has kept up the traditions of the family, for he has no fewer than six uncles serving with the King’s colours, three of them with the Territorials at the Dardanelles, and the others in Kitchener’s Army in France and England. He formerly attended Holy Trinity School.

The family suffered a further loss on July 24, 1918 when Richard’s father died of Dysentery in Basra, Iraq. He was deployed there as a private with the 2nd Garrison Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and died when he was 45 years old.

Pte. 1845 Frederick Thorley Finucane

Frederick Thorley Finucane died of dysentery in Cairo on November 27, 1914 just two months after landing in Egypt. He died in the Citadel Hospital, Cairo having been admitted just the day before. He was given a full military funeral and is buried at the Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. In a rather stunning coincidence, his older brother John (“Jack”) Finucane died on the same day one year later of complications from an operation for dysentery and enteric fever at Netley Military Hospital.

From the Saturday December 5, 1914 Ashton Reporter:

PRIVATE FINUCANE

News has been received in Ashton of the death through, dysentery, in Egypt, of Private Fred Finucane, one of the Ashton Territorials. He was probably the youngest in the battalion, being only 15 years of age, but standing 5ft 8in. Born of a military family, be enlisted with his father’s written authority in March, and after going into camp at Bury sailed with his battalion to Egypt. His heart and soul were in his work, and in all his letters home he was always cheerful and happy. Only last week he mentioned having visited the Pyramids and other sights, and also that he had been on night manoeuvres. Several parcels are now on their way to him from home, he having been very popular among his various friends, as much for his pluck as a youngster as his quiet, unassuming ways. It came as a terrible shock to all who knew him when his parents, who live at The Brow, Bardsley, received a telegram on Monday announcing his death. The blow has been a heavy one, both to them and his brother, also a Territorial, to whom he was devotedly attached. They are now anxiously awaiting further news, and in the meantime try to console themselves with the thought that he never flinched from duty, and when the call came be stepped forward and offered to take his share in battling for his King and country.

He has answered the ” last roll call.” During the week many friends have called to offer their sympathy to the deeply grieved parents, and they were much touched by such expressions of feeling in their great trouble.

It was always a source of pride to him to know his grandfather, who is living in Manchester, was in the Army 15 months before Lord Roberts, and his father has an autograph letter from Bobs thanking him for birthday congratulations on his 80th birthday, they having first met in India in 1851.

The Bardsley Defence Corps will attend the morning service at Bardsley Church on Sunday, and the village band is also expected to be present, in honour of the late Private Finucane.

Notes:

The Bardsley Defence Corps was co-founded and organized by Fred’s father Mr. Theodore Finucane.
At the request of the family, the interment of John Finucane at Gorton Cemetery was not of a military character.

Boy 2069 Alfred and Boy 2070 James Boocock

Both of the Boocock boys survived the war and were demobilised in 1919. During their time in Gallipoli, they were employed with their father, the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, and were responsible for bringing supplies up from the ships up to the regimental base. They were not issued with rifles and stayed in the reserve but were still subject to the incessant shelling. Alfred contracted dysentery in July 1915 and was medically evacuated to the UK, via Malta. On July 13, 1915 R.Q.M.S. Boocock was wounded in the foot by a stray bullet and medically evacuated to England. At this point, James Boocock would likely have been taken under the wing of Major Connery the battalion Quartermaster, a long-time colleague of R.Q.M.S. Boocock.

Alfred Boocock turned 19 years old in October 1918 and so he should have spent the remainder of the war on home service. After the war he remained single living with two of his sisters, Emma and Nellie, in Ashton under Lyne as a plumber. He died in 1975 having outlived all of his siblings. He was 75 years old.

James Boocock survived Gallipoli and deployed with the battalion to Egypt in 1916. He turned 19 in August 1917 and at some point, after March 1917, he was transferred to the 2^nd Battalion Manchester Regiment and remained with them for the duration of the war. He died in Ashton in 1933 and was buried at St. Michaels and All Angels Church where his father joined him a year later.

Pte. 1682 Ernest Pepper

Ernest Pepper was seriously wounded on August 2, 1915 with a gunshot, (probably shrapnel), wound to the spine. He was medically evacuated from Gallipoli and just over a month later, on September 7, boarded a hospital ship for England. 14 months later, he was discharged being no longer fit for military service due to his wounds. The 1939 National Roll indicates that 24 years after being wounded in Gallipoli he was unmarried and living with his father, permanently incapacitated. Ernest’s older brother Philip fared slightly better; he was medically evacuated from Egypt in early May 1915 having likely never deployed to Gallipoli.

Pte. 1801 William Barfield

William Barfield was one of four close friends who joined the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment three of whom made our list of underage boys. Two of them lost their lives in Gallipoli and both of the other two were wounded.

Pte. William Barfield — Pte. 1801 William Barfield

William wrote to his mother telling her of his wound and the letter was published in the Saturday July 10, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper:

“DON’T WORRY, MOTHER.”

Cheerful Letter From Wounded Ashton Territorial,

Private William Barfield, of the Ashton Territorials, writes from a hospital in Alexandria to his mother, Mrs. Barfield 132, Turner-lane, Ashton, telling her that he has been wounded. But he is very cheerful, says he will soon be all right again, and tells her she has not to worry. He writes:-

“I am very sorry to tell you that I have been wounded in the left leg and the right foot, but I am expecting to be all right again in a few weeks so don’t you worry, for I am all right. It is a fortnight to-day since it was done, and they are going on fine. We are getting plenty of food, as much as we can eat. I am in a Greek Hospital, and the nurses are very kind to us.”

A little more clarity on William’s wounds was provided by his good friend Drummer W. H. Taylor in the same edition of the Ashton Reporter:

A HURST DRUMMER

Received a Bullet Wound in the Left Forearm,

“Billy Barfield has been wounded in the bayonet charge. He fell with a bullet through his left leg, and whilst crawling away he got another through his left foot. Teddy Green bandaged the wounds with his field dressing. Teddy Green was all right when I got winged, and I think he will be all right, although they stayed in the trench over-night.”

The fates of the four friends was laid out in a letter published in the Saturday December 18, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper:

FOUR CHUMS HIT

Mrs. Green, of 2, Spring Bank Cottages, Broadoak-road, Hurst, on Saturday received an official intimation that her son, Private Edward Green, 1/9th Manchester Regiment, had died from wounds on November 13th, at the Dardanelles. Private Green, who was 21 years of age, was formerly employed as a little piecer at the Cedar Mill.

A chum of his, Drummer W. H. Taylor, also of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment, writing to his mother. Mrs. Taylor, also of Spring Bank Cottages, pays a fine tribute to his dead comrade as follows:

“It is with the deepest regret that I inform you that my old chum Edward Green passed away on Saturday afternoon, November 13th, at 4-30. He got hit in the side of the head and lost consciousness almost instantaneously, and it will perhaps ease your mind to know he did not suffer much pain He was well liked by everyone in his company, and although one of the smallest, he was one of the pluckiest lads in the regiment, as any one of them will tell you.”

“There were, as you know, four of us who came out, all chums, and every one of us have been hit. Dick Stott was hit three times in the head, and died from his wounds. Billy Barfield was hit through the leg and foot on June 7th. and I was hit in the same charge, and now Teddy has been killed, and I am the only one who is back out of the four. It was a very curious thing that Teddy’s cousin Willie, who only came out three weeks ago, was the first one to find him. It must have been a great shock to him. Jim (Pte James Elliot, a brother-in-law of Drummer Taylor, of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment) is all right, and as for myself, I am in the pink at present.”

Unfortunately, this was not the end of William Barfield’s Gallipoli troubles as the February 12, 1916 edition of the Ashton Reporter conveyed:

TWICE WOUNDED.
Ashton Territorial Hit on Eve of the Evacuation.

For the second time Private Wm. Barfield, 1/9th Manchester Regiment, of 132, Turner-lane, Ashton, has been wounded during the fighting at the Dardanelles. In a letter from him he says:

“I am sorry to tell you I have been wounded again by shrapnel in the right thigh. This happened on the 28th of last month (December). It is going on fine so you need not worry about me, for I am all right. I hope it will not be long before I see you all.” He is now in Hospital at Malta.

In June last he was wounded in the left leg and right foot during an engagement on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

His father, Private Barfield, is also in the Army, having enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment. He is stationed at a military camp in Sussex and engaged in trench digging.

And coincidentally, his good friend Drummer W. H. Taylor was also wounded for a second time as reported in the Ashton Reporter the following week:

Ashton Territorial in Hospital With Fractured Skull,

Drummer W H. Taylor, C. Company, 1/9th Manchesters, writes from Western General Hospital, Leaf Square, Pendleton, Manchester, to the Editor of the Reporter:-

“I am suffering from a fractured skull and paralysis of the left foot, and this is the second time wounded, as I was wounded in the arm on June 7th, 1915, in the same engagements as Private W. Barfield.”

Pte. 1711 Sidney Ogden

Sidney Ogden was born and raised in Ashton under Lyne and was working as a scavenger at the Guide Bridge Spinning Company, Ashton before the war along with his older brother Harry. He attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 his brother Harry attesting a few days later.

Pte. Sidney Ogden — Pte. 1711 Sidney Ogden

Sidney was assigned to Number 2 platoon, A Company and his platoon commander was 2/Lt. Charles Earsham Cooke, himself only 18 years old when he landed in Gallipoli. Sidney’s death is rather graphically described in 2/Lt. Cooke’s personal diary:

June 19. Saturday. We stood-to from 3am till about 8am our machine-gun, and in fact all of us, had been told that when the last attack came off we were to fire like hell at the trench in front to stop reinforcements. This the machine gun did. This drew shell fire at our trench. The trench is really in a most difficult position to describe, suffice it to say that it was on a hill, sheer down and the trench was hardly dug into the ground at all but was chiefly made of sand-bags thereby rendering a most magnificent target to the Turk’s shell fire. One shell actually landed on the parapet (front) as well as many on the back and blew the lot, making a huge gap. Previously, young Ogden, (16 years old), was badly shot through the head, brains out, I bandaged him up but the RAMC said no hope, however he still lives. Well the shell that blew the parapet in wounded 2 and knocked the remaining 3 down.

The Saturday July 3, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper reported the death of Sidney’s older brother:

IF THEY COULD ONLY SEE

All the Lads in Ashton Would Join.

TERRITORIAL’S DEATH.

Wounded an Hour After Getting Letter From Home.

News has been officially received by Mr. Arnold Ogden, of Hill-street, Ashton, that his son, Private Harry Ogden, 1/9 Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorials) has died from wounds received on June 6th in action at the Dardanelles. Prior to the mobilisation in August last he worked as piecer at the Guide Bridge Spinning Co. He was formerly a member of St. Peter’s Boys’ Brigade. A letter dated June 12th, from the Egyptian Hospital, Port Said, which was received from him by his parents, states :-

“About an hour after I had read your letter I got wounded in the neck, and I was removed to hospital. I am being well looked after, and I could not expect better treatment. The wound is not a very bad one. Will you tell Jack (his minder at the Guide Bridge Spinning Co.) that I received his letter and tabs, and that I hope to be working for him again before very long.”

Referring to the recruiting efforts in Ashton he states :-

“If they were out here, and saw what we have seen, all the lads in Ashton would join.”

A brother, Private Sidney Ogden, is also serving with the Territorials at the Dardanelles, and another brother, Private William Ogden, is serving with the 2/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorials) at Haywards Heath.

And the Saturday July 10, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper reported the sad news of Sidney’s death:

TWO BROTHERS KILLED

Both Belonged to the Ashton Territorials

News was received on Wednesday by Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Ogden, of 84, Hill Street, Ashton, that their son, Private Sidney Ogden, 1/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, Territorials, had died from wounds received on June 20th.

The sadness of the news was heightened by the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Ogden had only just recovered from the shock which they experienced on receiving the official intimation that their son, Private Harry Ogden, in the same battalion, had died from wounds on June 6th.

Both youths, for Sidney was only 16 years of age, and Harry, a year or two older, worked as piecers at the Guide Bridge Spinning Company.

Another brother, Private William Ogden, is serving in the 2/9th Battalion at Hayward’s Heath.

Pte. 1966 Norman Jackson

Norman Jackson’s surviving service record provides a detailed account of the lengths his father, Eli Jackson, took to ensure that he was kept out of the firing line. Shortly after his son was mobilised, Eli contacted the battalion while they were still in England and informed them that Norman Jackson was underage. He was informed that they were only going to be assigned Garrison (i.e., non-combat) duty and that any age discrepancy would be uncovered during that period. Norman deployed to Egypt and then to Gallipoli. However, in Gallipoli he was employed as a telephone operator and was not given a combat role. After going through the Gallipoli campaign unscathed he deployed to Egypt with the battalion in January 1916. Back in Ashton, despite contacting the military authorities in September and October 1915 Eli had made no progress in his quest to protect his son. In an apparent act of desperation, in July 1916, after the issuing of Army Council Instruction 1186 of 1916, he wrote to the Prime Minster, David Lloyd George, asking for his help. Remarkably, this seemed to do the trick and in August 1916 Norman Jackson was removed to the 42^nd Division Base Depot prior to being transferred to the UK to serve with a reserve unit until his 19^th birthday. He left Egypt on September 3, 1916 onboard the H.T. Royal George, 12 days before his 18^th birthday.

Norman Jackson in WW2 — Sgt. Norman Jackson, Australian Army Medical Corps (WW2)

He was commissioned as 2^nd Lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment on September 11, 1918 and promoted to Lieutenant on March 11, 19120. He resigned his commission on September 23, 1921 retaining the rank of Lieutenant. After the war he traveled extensively to South Africa, Mauritius, Australia and New Zealand eventually settling in Gracemere, Queensland where he married. In May 1940 he joined the Australian Army Medical Corps, ironically incorrectly reporting his age to appear 2 years younger than he actually was. He served as a Sergeant in World War 2 from 1940-42 when he was discharged on compassionate grounds at his own request. He died in 1976 in Brisbane, Queensland; he was 77 years old.

Pte. 1674 Charles Arthur Middleton

Before the outbreak of war, Charles Middleton was a miner at New Moss Colliery. He was born in Golborne, just south of Wigan, and by 1911 was living with his family in Dukinfield and attending school. He attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 with around a dozen of his work colleagues and, perhaps coincidentally, was assigned consecutive service numbers with Alfred Sumner.

He does not appear in any newspaper reports and there is no surviving service record other than the very sparse record of his attestation but there are some other things we know. He was one of a number of enlisted men who attended bible class with the Reverend J. K. Best at Heliopolis camp in early 1915 before the battalion deployed to Gallipoli. While he was at Gallipoli he was wounded and listed on the Times Casualty List of July 20, 1915. This means that he was likely wounded in June 1915. There is no record of him being medically evacuated to the UK and we know from his medal roll that he served the remainder of his time in the war with the Manchester Regiment. He was disembodied on January 10, 1919 and applied for a war related disability pension which he received.

Pte. 1741 Arthur Banton

Arthur Banton was born and raised in Ashton under Lyne and before the outbreak of war was working as a packer at the Park Road Spinning Company, Dukinfield. He attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and was one of two employees of that particular Cotton Mill to attest that night. He deployed to Egypt and then Gallipoli with the 9^th Manchesters and apparently came through the first four months unscathed but on September 5, 1915 he reported sick and was medically evacuated to the UK just over a week later. In England he was discharged from hospital on October 26^th but was left with a medical diagnosis of “Disordered Action of the Heart” (D.A.H.). Today this is recognized as a long-term post combat medical disorder and although shell shock was the quintessential war syndrome of 1914–1918, soldier’s heart or D.A.H. was, in fact, equally common.¹

After his post hospital stay furlough, he joined the 8^th (Reserve) Battalion, Manchester Regiment and there spent some weeks performing military police duties. He applied for a transfer to the military police but was apparently rejected, perhaps because of his age. On July 25, 1916 Arthur was transferred to Class “W (T)” per Army Council Instruction 1186 of June 13, 1916, Paragraph 1(b) since he was still under 18 years of age. After spending the minimum period of 3 months in this manner he rejoined the 8^th (Reserve) Battalion on October 23^rd having now celebrated his 18^th birthday. Still under the requisite age of 19 years to return to combat he was transferred to an agricultural company of the KOSB and 3 months later to the Labour Corps.

In November 1917, having now passed his 19^th birthday, he was deployed overseas to the Divisional Supply Depot at Boulogne. In May 1918 he was posted to the 87^th Company of the Labour Corps in the field. On August 27, 1918 he suffered the indignity of a Field General Court Martial for being absent without leave for a week. Found guilty, he was sentenced to 28 days of Field Punishment Number 1, remitted to 7 days. A few weeks later he was sentenced to be deprived of 14 days pay for being absent without leave for almost a day, remitted to 1 day’s pay.

He was repatriated to the UK in early 1919 and discharged on March 27^th of that year due to sickness and awarded the silver war badge. After the war he married Mary Alice Nelson in late 1919 and together they emigrated to Canada in 1922.

Jones E. Historical approaches to post-combat disorders. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2006 Apr 29;361(1468):533-42. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2006.1814. PMID: 16687259; PMCID: PMC1569621.

Pte. 1675 Alfred Sumner

Alfred Sumner was born and raised in Ashton under Lyne and was working as an engineer at Nellison & Hayton Company in Ashton when he attested on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914. He remained with the Manchester Regiment throughout the war and was demobilised on March 3, 1919.

The only account we have of Alfred’s time in Gallipoli is from the Saturday July 24, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper:

SIX WEEKS WITHOUT A REST

Ashton Territorial Who Bandaged Wounded Comrade.

Mrs. Sumner, of 53, Burlington-street, Ashton, has received a letter from her son, Private Alfred Sumner, of the Ashton Territorials, in which he says:-

“I am still able to tell you I am in the land of the living. At the present time I am feeling done up after six weeks without a rest, and seldom out of the firing line. On June 18th we stormed an enemy’s trench, and Ryder got shot through the eye [particulars of Private Ryder’s death appeared in the “Reporter” last week], and I believe he died in about two minutes. He was with a party of 25, including myself and Littleford, and it was just as we reached the enemy’s trench that he got shot.”

“Littleford and I, with some of the party, managed to get back to our own trench, and then it was like hell let loose. We were only 20 yards from the enemy, and every man had to fight for all he was worth. Somehow I got hit in the forehead. I can’t tell what it was, because it blinded me for the minute, and then I went out of the firing line, and they have put me on a hospital ship. It is not much of a wound that I have, but my right eye is still sore. Our division has done good work out here, but they have paid for it.”

According to a letter from a comrade, Private Sumner tied his field bandage round poor Ryder’s head after he was hit, and it was just after this incident that he himself was wounded.

Pte. 1609 Robert Daniel MacCormack

Robert Daniel MacCormack was the younger brother of Albert MacCormack who joined the 9^th Manchesters on March 28, 1912. Born and raised in Ashton under Lyne Robert was employed as a piecer at Thomas Mason and Son’s Oxford Mill in Ashton. He attested on February 4, 1914 giving his correct age and was at least initially given the rank of Boy. There is no surviving service record (other than the sparse account of his attestation) and no contemporaneous newspaper reports to draw from. He was not shown on any casualty lists and so the assumption is that he made it safely through the Gallipoli campaign unscathed. His medal roll indicates that he was allocated a six-digit service number assigned to the 9^th Manchesters in early 1917 and continued to serve with them throughout the remainder of the war. There are no surviving pension records to indicate any disability claims.

Pte 2063 Thomas William Preston Portington

Thomas William Preston Portington deployed to Egypt and then Gallipoli. On the evening of September 2, he was one of 14 other ranks assigned to a digging party under the command of 2^nd Lieut. Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson of the 10^th South Lancs Regiment and attached to the 9^th Manchesters. Their orders were to extend a sap joining the current Firing Line with the Northern Barricade. Unfortunately, as they made their way in the dark, they lost their bearings, going too far East, and were discovered by the Turks and probably caught in the cross-fire between the Turks and the Royal Naval Division, who were not aware of their presence. 2/Lt. Vyvyan-Robinson and three men were wounded and 17-year-old Pte. Portington was reported missing. Thomas’ body was never found and he was not officially declared Killed in Action until January 1916.

From the Saturday 29 January 1916 Ashton Reporter:

17th BIRTHDAY IN TRENCHES,

Ashton Territorial Who Was Killed in Gallipoli.

An official intimation has now been received by Mr. and Mrs. Portington, of 46, Dale-street, Ashton, that their son, Private Tom Portington of the Ashton Territorials, has been killed in action. He had previously been reported “missing” on September 3rd, 1915. Naturally, Mr. and Mrs. Portington had clung to the shred of hope that their son had not been killed, but had been taken prisoner, and were buoyed up in their belief by letters from his comrades, who also believed he had been captured.

From various accounts it seems that Private Portington went out with some of the others to dig themselves in nearer the Turkish lines, but the Turks became suspicious, and threw a searchlight on them. When they saw what was happening they opened fire, and our men beat a hasty retreat.

Private Portington, who was the oldest of seven children, worked at the New Moss Pit. He was a fine lad for his age, and easily passed as over 18, but he was only 16 years old when he joined. He celebrated his 17th birthday in the trenches.

Many of his comrades have written expressing their sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Portington and testifying to the pluck and popularity of Private Portington He was liked by both officers and men.

Pte. 1745 William Henry Hall

Like Arthur Banton, William Henry Hall was employed at the Park Road Spinning Company but when he attested on February 14, 1914 he was employed at the River Cotton Mill, Dukinfield. He appears to have survived Gallipoli mostly unscathed except for a mysterious accident with a pick axe.

From the Saturday July 31, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper:

ASHTON TERRITORIAL WOUNDED WITH A “PICK”

Private WILLIAM HENRY HALL, of 48, Hill Street, Ashton, has been wounded in a peculiar manner while fighting with the Ashton Territorials in the Dardanelles. Writing from the hospital at Alexandria to his father, who is employed at the New Moss Colliery, he states that he was wounded by a “pick”. He does not explain how the affair happened. But his injuries are not regarded as serious. He joined the Ashton Territorials during the recruiting boom at the beginning of last year, and at the time was employed as a piecer at Park Road Mill.

William remained with the 9^th Manchesters in Egypt during 1916 and then deployed with them to France in March 1917. At some point he transferred to the Welch Regiment (Royal Welch Fusiliers) from where he was disembodied on May 1, 1919.

Immediately after the war he married Nellie Jones in Ashton in 1919 but then rejoined the 1^st Battalion, Welch Regiment and was deployed to India. He remained with them until he was discharged on February 15, 1924 and was now entitled to the India General Service Medal with Waziristan 1921-24 clasp.

Pte. 1656 Edward Hennessey

Born and raised in Ashton under Lyne, Edward Hennessey worked at the New Moss Colliery and was one of three of our underage boys to attest on the evening of Saturday February 14, 1914 and list the Colliery as their employer. He was wounded in Gallipoli at the Battle of Krithia Vineyard and was treated in Hospital at Mudros. He returned to the peninsula in September and apparently saw out the remainder of his time there without incident.

From the Saturday September 18, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper:

MISSED HIS CHUM.

The First Parting Since Leaving Home.

TERRITORIAL OF 17 WOUNDED

Says It is the Only Chance of Getting Some Rest,

Private Edward Hennessey 1/9th Manchester Regiment, whose home is at 32, Wellington-street, Ashton, was wounded on August 7th during the big attack in which the Ashton men distinguished themselves. He is the only son of his mother, who is a widow. Mrs. Hennessey has received the following letter, dated August 18th, from her son:-

“Dear Mother, I am at present in hospital with a bullet in my leg, but it is not worrying me a bit. It is just a rest for me. I don’t want you to think that it is much, because it is not. They don’t know where to send us yet, because every place is full up with the wounded. The only place where there seems to be room for us is at home in England. I may get a chance of seeing it with a bit of luck.”

“I was attached to the R.E. with the miners We were practically in the firing line, going under and making listening galleries and mines. Then I was an officer’s orderly, and used to take the notes for him. I got hit during the night. I thought it was a horse that had kicked me. They have not got the bullet out yet. It’s the only chance you have of having a rest. It is the first time I have seen a doctor since I left England. It is also the first time that Teddy (Private Edward Kershaw, of the Ashton Territorials, also of Wellington-street, his companion) and I have been parted since we left home. I feel lonely without him. Tell them all at home I shall be all right in a week or two.”

Private Hennessey who was only 17 years old last May, had been in the Territorials about a year before the outbreak of hostilities. He was with the first batch to go out, and formerly worked at New Moss Colliery.

The Saturday September 25, 1915 Ashton Reporter newspaper wrapped-up the story:

BACK TO THE TRENCHES,

Ashton Territorial Glad to See the Boys Again.

On Monday Mrs. Hennesey, of 82, Wellington-street, Ashton, a widow, received the following letter from her only son, Private Edward Hennesey, of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment, who, as reported in last week’s “Reporter,” was wounded during the fighting at Gallipoli:-

“I shall soon be all right and going back to the battalion. I dare say by the time you get this letter I shall be back and I shall be glad to see my battalion again. I had a nice rest and a good bed for the last five weeks, and it has done me a world of good.”

“I had the bullet taken out about two weeks ago, and I am going to keep it. It did not go right through my leg. It stopped in the bone, and the doctor had a job to take it out. I have been stationed at Mudros. It is an island about 30 miles from the Peninsula, and there are a lot of grapes here. I can get about very well now, so I shall soon be fit for duty. I shall be glad to see Teddy (Private Edward Kershaw, of the Ashton Territorials, and of Wellington street, his chum).”

Edward Hennessey remained with the 9^th Manchesters during their subsequent deployed to Egypt in 1916 and then to France in 1917. Early in 1918 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and remained with them until he was demobilised on January 16, 1919.

After he left the Army, he almost immediately married Mabel Eileen McGarry and they later had two sons. Edward Hennessey died in October 1960 and is buried in Hurst Cemetery, Ashton under Lyne.

Summary of the 9th Manchesters Boy Soldiers

More than 100 boys were, (or would have been), under the age of 19 when they landed in Gallipoli. Their names are provided below ranked by their Gallipoli landing age. Note that since some of them arrived as drafts after the original landing on May 9, 1915 it is not necessarily ordered by age at landing.

1943 Philip Pepper, 1784 Fred Hewitt and 1766 Arthur Riley were part of a group of 15 men who were, according to the Ashton Reporter, invalided home from Egypt in mid to late May 1915. A later article concerning CQMS Williamson describes him as the first man back from Gallipoli. Consequently, the presumption is that although they deployed to Egypt in 1914 none of these three young men actually served in Gallipoli.

1705 John Bridge died of pneumonia on September 24, 1914 just before the battalion landed in Egypt and was buried at sea. He had just turned 18 a few days before his death.

No.	Forename	Surname	DoB	Gallipoli Landing Age
1652	RICHARD	STOTT	19-Mar-1900	15.08
1845	FREDERICK	FINUCANE	22-Oct-1899	–
2069	ALFRED	BOOCOCK	14-Oct-1899	15.50
1682	ERNEST	PEPPER	20-Mar-1899	16.08
1801	WILLIAM	BARFIELD	14-Dec-1898	16.33
1711	SIDNEY	OGDEN	4-Nov-1898	16.50
1966	NORMAN	JACKSON	15-Sep-1898	16.58
1674	CHARLES	MIDDLETON	31-Aug-1898	16.67
2070	JAMES	BOOCOCK	19-Aug-1898	16.67
1741	ARTHUR	BANTON	10-Aug-1898	16.67
1675	ALFRED	SUMNER	26-Jul-1898	16.75
1609	ROBERT	MacCORMACK	18-Jul-1898	16.75
2063	THOMAS	PORTINGTON	28-Jun-1898	16.83
1745	WILLIAM	HALL	22-May-1898	16.92
1656	EDWARD	HENNESSEY	20-May-1898	16.92
1697	ARCHIBALD	LATHAM	15-May-1898	17.17
1746	JOHN	CHAPMAN	18-Apr-1898	17.00
1638	WILLIAM	HAZELL	9-Apr-1898	17.08
1673	RONALD	WATERS	24-Mar-1898	17.08
1626	HENRY	BENT	13-Mar-1898	17.08
1748	WILLIAM	HIGGINBOTTOM	2-Mar-1898	17.17
1391	GEORGE	HAUGHTON	11-Feb-1898	17.17
1835	WILLIAM	HANDLEY	9-Feb-1898	17.25
2110	THOMAS	BATES	1-Feb-1898	17.25
1744	ANTHONY	SHERIDAN	23-Jan-1898	17.25
1767	WILLIAM	ROBERTSON	25-Dec-1897	17.33
1735	WILLIAM	BATKIN	11-Nov-1897	17.42
2971	ALBERT	HARLING	9-Nov-1897	17.67
1694	BEN	CUMMINGS	19-Oct-1897	17.50
1943	PHILLIP	PEPPER	19-Oct-1897	–
3281	JAMES	FERNLEY	6-Oct-1897	18.00
2297	SAM	MATHER	6-Oct-1897	17.83
2356	FRED	SMITH	5-Oct-1897	17.75
2514	ALFRED	MOLYNEUX	1-Oct-1897	17.75
1752	GEORGE	WILSON	21-Sep-1897	17.83
1873	THOMAS	CARTER	16-Sep-1897	17.58
1753	JOSEPH	SWINTON	14-Sep-1897	17.58
1601	WALTER	CLEGG	7-Sep-1897	17.67
1691	GEORGE	NEWTON	6-Sep-1897	17.67
1642	ENOCH	WARHURST	29-Aug-1897	17.67
1637	HERBERT	FISH	25-Aug-1897	17.67
1677	RUPERT	RYLANCE	25-Aug-1897	17.67
1380	BERNARD	RAWLINGS	6-Aug-1897	17.75
1789	NORMAN	RICHARDSON	5-Aug-1897	17.75
1669	JOSEPH	WILDE	17-Jul-1897	17.75
1635	WILLIAM	TAYLOR	4-Jul-1897	17.83
1634	JAMES	HOKE	19-Jun-1897	17.83
1604	WILLIAM	CORLETT	18-Jun-1897	17.83
1683	FRANK	HADFIELD	17-Jun-1897	17.83
1676	TOM	LITTLEFORD	12-Jun-1897	17.83
1655	RICHARD	BOON	1-Jun-1897	17.92
1574	THOMAS	BOON	1-Jun-1897	17.92
1799	HAROLD	ABBOTT	18-May-1897	17.92
1481	CLIFFORD	HOLDEN	12-May-1897	17.92
1622	HARRY	JACKSON	14-Apr-1897	18.00
1670	JOSEPH	O’DONNELL	7-Apr-1897	18.08
1786	JOHN	COFFEY	2-Apr-1897	18.08
1684	EDWIN	JONES	29-Mar-1897	18.08
1771	WILLIAM	WILSON	13-Mar-1897	18.08
1625	ARTHUR	BURN	9-Mar-1897	18.08
1853	HENRY	LEWIS	4-Mar-1897	18.17
1784	FRED	HEWITT	17-Feb-1897	–
1623	JAMES	GREENHALGH	11-Feb-1897	18.17
1345	ERIC	GOLIGHTLY	27-Jan-1897	18.33
1591	EDWARD	LEES	5-Jan-1897	18.33
1643	SAMUEL	NEWTON	4-Jan-1897	18.33
1596	JOHN	OAKDEN	1-Jan-1897	18.33
1640	JAMES	GARRAGAN	1897	18.?
1713	WILLIAM	LOMAS	1897	18.?
1772	CECIL	MURRAY	29-Dec-1896	18.33
1681	HARRY	ROBINSON	22-Dec-1896	18.33
1668	JOSEPH	TAYLOR	17-Dec-1896	18.33
1727	ROBERT	THOMAS	2-Dec-1896	18.42
1607	ERIC	LISTER	1-Dec-1896	18.42
1645	TOM	LONGWORTH	30-Nov-1896	18.42
1715	WALTER	ROEBUCK	26-Nov-1896	18.42
1679	GEORGE	LOWE	5-Nov-1896	18.50
1617	JOHN	TURNER	26-Oct-1896	18.50
1310	HERBERT	MORRIS	21-Oct-1896	18.50
1468	ALFRED	ATHERTON	16-Oct-1896	18.50
1660	HAROLD	GARTSIDE	4-Oct-1896	18.58
1593	ALBERT	EASTWOOD	29-Sep-1896	18.58
1775	WILLIAM	POSTLE	24-Sep-1896	18.58
1804	HARRY	MARSDEN	23-Sep-1896	18.58
2071	CHARLES	JOYCE	21-Sep-1896	18.58
1705	JOHN	BRIDGE	16-Sep-1896	–
1663	WILLIAM	ALLCOCK	13-Sep-1896	18.58
1671	ERIC	HYATT	13-Sep-1896	18.58
1693	ALBERT	ORTON	11-Sep-1896	18.58
1662	HARRY	OWEN	25-Aug-1896	18.67
1768	MAURICE	BARKER	19-Aug-1896	18.67
1405	JOHN	DALEY	7-Aug-1896	18.75
1766	ARTHUR	RILEY	11-Jul-1896	–
1720	JOE	TRUNKFIELD	10-Jul-1896	18.75
1792	ALBERT	DAVIES	7-Jul-1896	18.83
1595	WILLIAM	RUSHWORTH	28-Jun-1896	18.83
1796	RICHARD	VAREY	28-Jun-1896	18.83
1812	FRANK	WARHURST	13-Jun-1896	18.83
1658	JONATHAN	POTTER	11-Jun-1896	18.83
1740	JOSHUA	BENNETT	1 Jun-1896	18.83
1872	HARRY	OGDEN	23-May-1896	18.92

25 lost their lives in Egypt or Gallipoli and another 8 lost their lives later in the war. At least one more received life changing wounds and became permanently incapacitated. 11 boys died during the Campaign under the age of 18 and another 6 died before their 19th birthday. The youngest boy to die in the Gallipoli Campaign was Richard Stott at 15 years and just under 3 months but the youngest of them to die on overseas service was Fred Finucane who was just over 1 month past his 15^th birthday when he died of dysentery in Egypt.

That said, two of them, James Greenhalgh and Albert Davies, went on to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Gallipoli, and one more, Archibald Thomas Latham, won the DCM in France. Three more won the Military Medal and an additional man was Mentioned in Despatches.

Three more, Norman Jackson, Albert Eastwood and Charles Devine Joyce, survived Gallipoli and were later commissioned as officers. Charles Joyce was also one of the men awarded the Military Medal, receiving his in 1917 before he was commissioned.

At least 24 had relatives in the battalion. In some cases, the influence of a parent or older brother already serving in the battalion may have been a factor in their decision to join but in many cases it was the boy that joined first and the older family member who joined later. And we should acknowledge the case of Richard and Thomas Boon, twins who joined the battalion within a month of each other. Thomas joining in January 1914, adding two years to his real age, and Richard on the night of the smoking concert more modestly stating that he was exactly 17 years old.

Some outcomes of the list members are provided below:

Pte 1835 William Handley

William Handley deployed to Egypt and then Gallipoli as a private in A Company. His father, Cpl. Robert Handley, had himself joined the battalion in September 1915 while the battalion were in Camp at Bury and accompanied his son overseas. On June 7, 1915 C Company were involved in a bayonet charge against the Turkish trenches resulting in many casualties; Cpl. Robert Handley was killed in action that day. William remained in Gallipoli and in early August was involved in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard where Lt. William Thomas Forshaw won the Victoria Cross.

Shortly after, he was medically evacuated to England suffering from shellshock. He rejoined the battalion while they were in Egypt in December 1916 and deployed to France with them in March 1917. Pte. William Handley was killed in action, struck by a bullet on the night of May 6/7 during an advance. He was 19 years old having turned 19 one month before the battalion left Egypt.

From the Saturday May 26, 1917 Ashton Reporter:

FATHER AND SON.

Fought Side by Side and Both Killed.

“STILL TOGETHER.”

Major Howorth’s Touching Letter to Widowed Mother

Mrs. Handley, of 126, Cotton-street, Ashton, whose husband, Corporal Robert Handley, was killed during the glorious charge of the Ashton Territorials in Gallipoli on June 7th, 1915, which was led by Captain F. Hamer and Lieutenant A. E. Stringer, has received news of the death in France of her son, Private William Handley, who was also in the 1/9th Battalion, and went out to Egypt with his father, when he was but 15 years of age. Shortly after his father’s death, Pte. Handley was invalided home through shock, but not before he had fought nobly and well with Lieutenant W. T. Forshaw, when the latter won the V.C. in the vineyard. It was a fight against “the desperate” foe and fierce odds, and every man who came out counted himself lucky. Private Handley went back to Egypt for the second time last Christmas, and accompanied the battalion to France.

Major T. Egbert Howorth, O.C. A Company, writes:-

It is with deep sorrow I have to tell you of heavy loss you have to bear. I know that already you have been called upon to give your husband, and now I have to tell you that your son also has been called upon to make the supreme sacrifice. May strength be given you to bear this double sorrow. “The boy came out with me in September, 1914, and then rejoined us in Egypt. I knew him pretty well, and in the old days in Egypt it was nice to see father and son together (as they are now, although we cannot see them). Your son was with his company in an advance on the night of May 6-7th. During that advance he was struck by a bullet and instantly killed. I saw him afterwards. There was no disfigurement on his. face. His body was laid to rest alongside that of one of his friends, Lance-Corporal S. Green, (of Ryecroft House), in a British soldiers’ cemetery near here,”

Private William Handley was 19 years of age. He worked as a piecer at the Old Mill, Tame Valley, and received his education at the Parish Church Schools.

Cpl. 1669 Joseph Wilde

Joseph Wilde deployed to Egypt and then Gallipoli. In Gallipoli he twice assisted in bringing back wounded men under fire but received no official recognition for his acts of bravery. He survived Gallipoli intact, only picking up a slight wound to his face. He deployed to Egypt with the battalion in 1916 and then to France in March 1917.

Pte. Joseph Wilde — Cpl. 1669 Joseph Wilde

On the evening on May 30, 1917 2/Lt. Philip Sydney Marsden and 3 other ranks were fired on during a reconnaissance, Lt. Marsden and Pte. 1876 (350454) Tom Fielding were both badly wounded. Cpl. Wilde volunteered to go out and carried Pte. Fielding on his back, 300 yards to safety. However, both 2/Lt. Marsden and Pte. Fielding died of their wounds within hours of their rescue. Four days later, Cpl. Joseph Wilde was killed in action on June 3, 1917 and was subsequently buried next to Pte. Fielding and 2/Lt. Marsden at the Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery. He was 19 years old; a few weeks shy of his 20^th birthday.

From the Saturday July 7, 1917 Ashton Reporter:

“BRAVE WATERLOO YOUTH.”

Glowing Tribute to Fallen Soldier.

EXCELLENT WORK

The story which attaches to the death of Corpl. Joseph Wilde, 1/9th Manchester Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wilde, of No. 10, Langham- street, Waterloo, constitutes an illuminating episode of bravery and devotion to duty, even unto death. This young soldier, who would have been 20 years of age on the 17th of this month, was killed on the 2nd of June, according to the official news received at the latter end of last week, and yet, though so young, he was spoken about by his officers as one bravest and best of non-commissioned officers

In Gallipoli and France he brought in wounded men under fire. In France a few days before he himself was killed he brought in a wounded soldier, Private Fielding, from 300 yards in advance of his own position. This private died, and Corporal Wilde was buried beside him. Corporal Wilde’s own brother helped to dig his grave, and he was buried next to a lance-corporal who went to fetch him in Such is the story of his death, told more fully and with a high appreciation of his worth, in letters which his parents have received from Capt. F. W. Kershaw and Second-Lieutenant Alfred Gray Captain Kershaw wrote:-

“I cannot too highly praise your son. He was a fine lad, and a splendid example of Lancashire pluck and grit. He was much thought of and respected in the company of his battalion. He did excellent work whilst in the Gallipoli Peninsula, and also whilst in France. Only a few days ago Lieutenant Marsden and Private Fielding were hit out in front of our lines, and your son volunteered to go out and assist in bringing them in. He carried Private Fielding back to our trenches, a distance of 300 yards, on his back. On two occasions in Gallipoli he also assisted in bringing in wounded under fire. He was a keen, capable, and very courageous non-commissioned officer, and is greatly missed by officers and men of his company, on whose behalf I beg to extend you our deepest sympathy in your terrible loss.

“Your son was brought in from the advanced trenches by some of his comrades, under difficult and dangerous circumstances. He was buried with fitting ceremony in a British soldiers’ cemetery, near to Lieutenant Marsden, Private Fielding, and Private Ashcroft, who were killed about the same time. A special wooden cross bas been erected on his grave.”

Corporal Wilde was the eldest of a family of nine children, and had been serving with the Ashton Territorials from the time they left England, being just over 16 years of age when he went to Egypt with them at first. At Gallipoli he was slightly wounded in the face, and when the peninsula was evacuated he went back to Egypt, and from there was sent to France last October. He was previously employed as a piecer at the Rock Mill, Waterloo, and was associated with the Waterloo Wesleyan Sunday School and Church, where a service in memory of him is to be held to-morrow (Sunday) night. He was also a playing member of the Wesleyan Football Club, and was very much esteemed by his comrades.

Sgt. 1634 James Hoke

James Hoke does not have a surviving service record and does not appear to have been mentioned in any local newspaper articles of the time. At some point after March 1917, he was transferred to the 2^nd Battalion Manchester Regiment but ended the war as a Sergeant at the Manchester Regiment Depot. He was discharged, being no longer physically for military service, on January 18, 1919 and awarded the Silver War Badge. In 1939 he was still working as a Joiner and Woodcutter, and serving as a local Air Raid Warden, in Ashton. He died in 1978, in North Wales, at 81 years of age.

Pte. 1481 Clifford Holden

Clifford Holden survived Gallipoli and deployed with the battalion to Egypt in 1916. In March 1917 he deployed to France with the battalion. At some point after April 1917, he was transferred to the Tank Corps and in August 1918 was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound to the neck. After a short stay in hospital, he was assigned to the Royal Artillery and Tank Corps Command Depot at Catterick from where he was demobilised on January 25, 1919. His claim for a disability pension was denied. After the war he married and had two children, living on Park Road, Dukinfield. He died in November 1966; he was 69 years old.

Long Service in the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

Prior to the formation of the Territorial Force on April 1, 1908, (as specified by the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act, 1907), the NCOs and enlisted men of the Volunteers were entitled to the Volunteer Long Service Medal (VLSM) after 20 consecutive years of approved service. With the advent of the Territorial Force the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (TFEM) replaced the Volunteer Long Service Medal under modified qualifying terms and conditions, the most notable of which was a reduction to 12 consecutive years of approved service. And in 1922, the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal was itself replaced by the Territorial Efficiency Medal (TEM).

Note: The designation “Card” above refers to a congratulatory card received from the General, at Gallipoli, denoting meritorious service.

Volunteer Long Service Medal

The following men of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment who deployed to Gallipoli in 1915 were holders of the Volunteer Long Service Medal.

Rank	Svc. No.	Forename	Middle	Surname
Q.M.S.	5	GEORGE		BOOCOCK
Cpl.	243	THOMAS		VALENTINE
C.S.M.	339	MATHEW	JAMES	BUCKLEY
Pte.	1182	JAMES		HOPWOOD
L/Cpl.	1484	JOHN	WILLIAM	HUGHES

Notes:

Quarter-Master Sergeant Boocock was also awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1922 for his 40+ years of continuous service.
Sgt. Boocock and Cpl. Valentine continuously served after the award of their respective VLSMs but Pte. Hopwood and L/Cpl. Hughes both left the service and then re-enlisted into the Territorial Force prior to the outbreak of war.
It would be remis not to mention Quarter-Master Sergeant 160 Thomas Burgess, an old Volunteer with 22 years 317 days prior service before he re-enlisted into the Territorial Force on April 11, 1908. Sgt. Burgess deployed to Egypt in September 1914 with the 9th Battalion but was invalided back to the UK with nephritis in March 1915 without deploying to Gallipoli. He was discharged from the Territorials on June 11, 1915 rejoining the 3/9th Manchester Regiment 16 days later. He continued to serve on light duty with the 3/9th and the 8th (Reserve) Battalion Manchester Regiment until he was once again discharged on April 5, 1917. His service record shows that he held the Volunteer Long Service Medal.

During the transition from the Volunteers to the Territorial Force, for a brief period of time, certain aspects of the rules governing qualification for the long service medals were changed and the eligible men could furthermore choose whether they received the Volunteer Long Service Medal or the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

The following announcement was published in the Ashton Reporter on Saturday 12 September, 1908:

It has been decided by the Army Council to allow soldiers of the Territorial Force, who, at the time of their transfer on the 31st March, 1908, had completed 16 years’ service, and were otherwise qualified for the volunteer long service medal, to be recommended to receive, at their individual option, either the volunteer long service medal or the Territorial Force efficiency medal.

It has been further decided with reference to section (b) paragraph 1 of army order 128 of 1908, that the past service of men who at the time of their transfer to the Territorial Force were serving in the volunteers may be reckoned towards the grant of the Territorial Force efficiency medal, whether such service has been continuous or not, provided that the last five years bare been continuously served in the volunteers or Territorial Force.
(Sgd.) M. J. MINOGUE, Captain. Adjutant 9th Batt. Manchester Regt.

To illustrate the impact of these changes consider Cpl. 243 Thomas Valentine. His service record shows that his volunteer service actually began on May 13, 1890 and continued to December 2, 1896, a 6 1/2 year period. Approximately 16 months later he re-joined the Volunteers on April 15, 1898 and then served continuously until April 23, 1908 when he re-engaged with the newly formed Territorial Force. His service record also shows that he attended each of the Territorial Force summer camps from 1908-1913. Consequently, in April 1908 he only had 10 years of continuous eligible service and so was not able to apply for either the VLSM or TFEM. However, by September 1908 when the amended rules were promulgated his non-consecutive Volunteer service amounted to almost 17 years so we can deduce at this time that he applied for and was awarded the VLSM, (as confirmed in his service record). In Valentine’s particular case his break from the service was in excess of 12 months. Consequently, his commanding officer must have approved the overage.

Territorial Force Efficiency Medal

In the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force the service numbers assigned to the men were allocated based upon the day and the order that their Territorial re-engagement (or enlistment) paperwork was processed. Consequently, it is not possible to simply look at the low numbered men and deduce when they originally enlisted in the Volunteers. All the Territorial Force service number tells us is when they re-enlisted into the Territorials (or enlisted for the first time).

Thus, Cpl. Thomas Valentine who, as we know, joined the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Manchester Regiment on April 15, 1898 but did not re-engage with the Territorial Force until April 23, 1908, (22 days after the first group of men), was assigned a Territorial Force service number of 243. Whereas Sgt. Arthur Bashforth, who joined the Volunteers on March 20, 1903, (5 years after Valentine), was given a lower Territorial Force service number of 58 because he was part of the first batch of men who re-engaged with the Territorial Force on April 1, 1908.

So unraveling prior service with the Volunteers is difficult but by examining the TFEM rolls and applying the qualifying rules it is possible to at least identify many of the “old Volunteers” and infer at least something about their length of service. That said, the eligibility for the TFEM required men to have been “efficient” in each year of service which in this context meant that they had attended a minimum number of drills, fired a minimum number of shots at the Brushes rifle range in Stalybridge, and attended all of the required summer camps. Furthermore, it is worth noting that it was up to the men to submit their applications for the medal and it was not an automatic award.

The following men of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment who deployed to Gallipoli in 1915 were, or became, holders of the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.

Rank	No.	Forename	Surname	Medal
Sgt	400	JAMES	CHAPMAN	TFEM 1909
Sgt	41	JAMES	STOPFORD	TFEM 1909
Sgt	83	THOMAS	MCDERMOTT	TFEM 1909
Cpl	124	SAMUEL	STEELE	TFEM 1909
Cpl	174	JOHN	SHAWCROSS	TFEM 1909
CSM	266	ALBERT	GREEN	TFEM 1909
Sgt	22	WALTER	HAWKINS	TFEM 1910
Pte	109	SAMUEL	WHITTON	TFEM 1910
L/Sgt.	236	GEORGE	TURNER	TFEM 1911
Col Sgt	344	JOSEPH	CHADDERTON	TFEM 1911
Col Sgt	108	ROBERT	JACKSON	TFEM 1912
Col Sgt	257	JOHN	WILLIAMSON	TFEM 1912
Sgt	445	JOHN	SIMCOX	TFEM 1912
Sgt	76	JAMES	LAWTON	TFEM 1913
Pte	379	THOMAS	GHENTY	TFEM 1913
C.S.M	540	WILLIAM	BIRCHALL	TFEM 1913
Sgt	156	JAMES	TOWNSEND	TFEM 1916
A/WOII	27	JAMES	NOLAN	TFEM 1918
Sgt	58	ARTHUR	BASHFORTH	TFEM 1918
Sgt	65	JOSEPH	FERNS	TFEM 1918
Sgt	136	HENRY	HARRISON	TFEM 1918
Sgt	164	ALFRED	SCOTT	TFEM 1918
Sgt	220	ALBERT	FLETCHER	TFEM 1918
Col Sgt	447	ERNEST	EYRES	TFEM 1919
Pte	998	HARRY	HOLDEN	TFEM 1919
Col Sgt	313	GEORGE	MELLOR	TFEM 1919
Sgt	845	ALBERT	ROYLE	TFEM 1919
Pte	972	SAMUEL	TAYLOR	TFEM 1919
WO II	1010	SIDNEY	WOOD	TFEM 1919
Col Sgt	341	JOHN	LEE	TFEM 1920
WO II	969	HARRY	GRANTHAM	TFEM 1920
Sgt	643	SQUIRE	ELLOR	TFEM 1920
CQMS	237	HENRY	STRINGER	TFEM 1920
Sgt	104	HARRY	INGHAM	TFEM 1920
Sgt	287	CHARLES	SPENCER	TFEM 1920
Pte	487	JOSEPH	TURNER	TFEM 1920
Sgt	1151	JOHN	LAWLER	TFEM 1920
Sgt	1190	JOSEPH	ROWBOTTOM	TFEM 1920
Pte	1225	JOSEPH	WHITTAKER	TFEM 1920
Cpl	1257	TOM	JACKSON	TFEM 1920
Pte	226	ALFRED	ASHWORTH	TFEM 1921
Pte	242	LEONARD	BROOKE	TFEM 1921
Sgt	526	THOMAS	MOSS	TFEM 1921
Pte	956	HAROLD	PYE	TFEM 1921
Pte	1209	LEONARD	WHITEHEAD	TFEM 1921
Pte	1262	GEORGE	ALLOTT	TFEM 1921
Pte	1292	GEORGE	HALL	TFEM 1921
Pte	1305	JAMES	WRIGHT	TFEM 1921
Pte	1325	JOSEPH	KENT	TFEM 1921
Pte	1327	GEORGE	BURGESS	TFEM 1921

Notes:

The eligibility rules dictate that all of the men awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal prior to 1914 must have been Old Volunteers.
The six men awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1916 and 1918 were all Old Volunteers. Additionally, their 12 years eligible service was determined by the linear sum of their continuous service since Army Order 326 of November 1918, which allowed embodied service to count double, effectively post-dated their awards.
All but two of the men awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal in 1920-21 re-enlisted in the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment on or after October 1920 when it was reformed.

Sgt. 136 Henry Harrison
Enlisted into the Volunteers on January 5, 1906
Re-engaged with the Territorial Force on April 7, 1908
Discharged June 11, 1918
Total Service: 12 years 158 days
Total Embodied Service: 3 years 311 days
Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal: May 1918
Died July 25, 1918. T.B.

Sgt. Harrison is an example of a man awarded the TFEM in 1918 based on his continuous service alone since Army Order 326 of November 1918, which allowed embodied service to count double, post-dated his award.

Sgt. 65 Joe Ferns
Enlisted into the Volunteers on June 6, 1906
Re-engaged with the Territorial Force on April 1, 1908 for 1 year
Re-enlisted on April 1, 1909 for 4 years
Re-enlisted on April 1, 1913 for 4 years
Disembodied January 30, 1919
Total Service: 12 years 238 days
Total Embodied Service: 4 years 179 days
Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal: December 1918
Awarded a Clasp to the Territorial Efficiency Medal: 1930

Sgt. Ferns is an example of a man awarded the TFEM in December 1918 based on his continuous service alone since Army Order 326 of November 1918, which allowed embodied service to count double, effectively post-dated his award (9th Manchester Regt. orders typically required men applying for the TFEM to submit their applications well in advance of the actual award).

Cpl. 1325 Joseph Kent
Enlisted in the Territorial Force June 15, 1912
Disembodied March 2, 1919
Total Service: 6 years 259 days
Total Embodied Service: 4 years 209 days
Service Before Embodiment: 2 years 50 days
Eligible Service at disembodiment: 11 Years 103 days
Re-Enlisted into the 9th Manchester in October 1920 (3515677)
Awarded the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal: November 1921.

Cpl. Kent is an example of a man who was just shy of the required 12 years eligible service when he was disembodied on March 2, 1919 even though Army Order 326 of November 1918 could be used to reckon his embodied service as double. Consequently, it was not until he re-enlisted in late 1920 and served another 262 days in the Territorials that he became eligible to apply for the TFEM.

Territorial Efficiency Medal

The following men of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment who deployed to Gallipoli in 1915 became holders of the Territorial Efficiency Medal. Most of these men re-enlisted into the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment in, or shortly after, 1920 when it was reformed.

Rank	No.	Forename	Surname	Medal
Pte.	1159	WILLIAM	WATSON	TEM
Q.M.S.	5	GEORGE	BOOCOCK	TEM 1922
Pte.	283	TIMOTHY	McDERMOTT	TEM 1922
Pte.	11	JOHN	FOSTER	TEM 1922
Sgt.	54	ARTHUR	BERESFORD	TEM 1922
Pte.	489	JAMES	EASTHAM	TEM 1922
Sgt.	680	THOMAS	HARGREAVES	TEM 1922
Pte.	787	GEORGE	STRINGER	TEM 1922
Pte.	839	WILLIAM	PASCOE	TEM 1922
Pte.	1287	WILLIAM	THORNTON	TEM 1922
Pte.	1290	JOHN	SMITH	TEM 1922
Col. Sgt.	1326	HAROLD	SHAW	TEM 1922
Pte.	1473	GEORGE	LAMB	TEM 1922
Cpl.	177	JOE	BRIDGE	TEM 1923
Dmr.	781	HARRY	TAYLOR	TEM 1923
A/Cpl.	29	ALBERT	HAGUE	TEM 1924
Sgt.	1199	THOMAS	RADCLIFFE	TEM 1924
Sgt.	1495	THOMAS	KNIGHT	TEM 1925
Dmr.	551	HAROLD	CRITCHLEY	TEM 1926
Pte.	1142	DAVID	SMITH	TEM 1926
WO II	969	HARRY	GRANTHAM	TEM 1937
Pte.	1057	JAMES	STOPFORD	TEM 1940

Notes:

Harry Grantham was awarded both the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (1920) and the Territorial Efficiency Medal (1937) for his continued long service.
Joe Bridge was Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to the 9th Manchesters in Gallipoli and for most of the remainder of WW1.

1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment in France 1917-18

March 1917:

On the 4th March, 1917 the 9th Battalion embarked on HMT Arcadian bound for France. They disembarked at Marseilles on 11th March and moved by train to Pont Remy, arriving there on the 14th March. From Pont Remy the 42nd Division was moved to an area ten miles east of Amiens, there the 9th Battalion was issued with rifles and steel helmets. They began training on the tactics of trench warfare, trench digging, route marches were also order of the day.

1/9th Manchesters France March 1917

On the 21st March, 1917 Private ARNOLD PEARSON (351087 formerly 2787) was killed in action. He is commemorated at Pozieres Memorial.

April 1917:

The Battalion moved to Haquaix on 18th April, and on the evening of 22nd April they took over a section of the front line and support line at Epehy; the first time they had been in the front lines since Gallipoli.

1/9th Manchesters France April 1917

April Casualties:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Pte.	351494	WILLIAM		NALLY	24-Apr	KIA
Pte.	351324	JOHN	W	JEVONS	25-Apr	KIA
Pte.	351625	HARRY		LORD	25-Apr	KIA
Pte.	352320	SAMUEL		LORD	25-Apr	KIA
Pte.	350582	HENRY		McCLUSKEY	29-Apr	KIA
Pte.	350809	JAMES		McDONALD	29-Apr	KIA
Pte.	351976	ROBERT		CAMPBELL	29-Apr	KIA

May 1917:

The Battalion moved to billets in Marquaix; the same ones they had occupied earlier in April. They moved into the front line on May 5th. On the evening of May 6th, 2/Lt Cooke was mortally wounded. The Battalion went into reserve on the evening of May 9th, moving to Templeux Quarry, and returning to the line again on May 13th. They were relieved on May 17th and marched to billets at Villers Faucon.

On May 19th they moved to Bertincourt, via Equancourt, and went into billets. They moved into the reserve line at Havrincourt Wood on May 21st and spent their time digging and consolidating trenches. Two days after 2/Lt. Cooke died of wounds on May 24th, Pte. Harry Holden was awarded the Military Medal, most likely for carrying him back to safety.

On the evening of May 29, 1917 a patrol composed of Lt. Phillip Sydney Marsden and 3 privates was fired on by the enemy. Lt. Marsden and one of the men were hit, both in the abdomen. The two remaining privates carried back the two wounded men 300 yards under fire and then obtained a stretcher and some assistance. Lt. Marsden died an hour after he was brought in and the private some hours later.

1/9th Manchesters France May 1917

May Casualties:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Pte.	350681	JEREMY		BARKER	6-May	KIA
Sgt.	351175	THOMAS	H	LEE	6-May	DoW
Pte.	350431	WILLIAM		HANDLEY	7-May	KIA
Pte.	350627	STANLEY		PEARSON	7-May	KIA
Pte.	350840	HERBERT		CHRISTIAN	7-May	KIA
L/Cpl.	351697	STANLEY		GREEN	7-May	KIA
Pte.	352014	JAMES		HOWARD	7-May	KIA
Pte.	352409	THOMAS		HARRISON	7-May	KIA
Pte.	350297	JOSEPH		GEE	8-May	DoW
Pte.	352432	FREDERICK		CLARKSON	8-May	KIA
Pte.	351648	FRANK		SHEPHERD	9-May	KIA
Pte.	352238	EDWARD		SKIRVIN	9-May	DoW
Pte.	351774	THOMAS		NORMAN	10-May	DoW
Pte.	351372	ROBERT		FOSTER	14-May	DoW
Pte.	350379	ROBERT	AL	THOMAS	15-May	KIA
Pte.	350298	HERBERT		POTTER	29-May	KIA
Pte.	350454	TOM		FIELDING	30-May	DoW
Lt.		CHARLES	E	COOKE	24-May	DoW
Lt.		PHILLIP	S	MARSDEN	30-May	KiA

June 1917:

The Battalion was in the line at Havrincourt Wood at the start of the month being relieved on June 5th and moving to Ruyaulcourt. They moved back into the line at Havrincourt Wood from June 12-16, moving to Ytres when relieved. They spent time training at Ytres before returning to the reserve line at Havrincourt Wood on June 21st.

The Battalion remained in the line for the remainder of the month and whilst there all companies were engaged in the digging of firing and communication trenches at night under cover of darkness.

1/9th Manchesters France June 1917

June Casualties:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
L/Cpl.	350567	THOMAS		ASHCROFT	3-Jun	KIA
Cpl.	350351	JOSEPH		WILDE	3-Jun	KIA
Pte.	352196	WILLIAM		RAWSON	20-Jun	KIA
Cpl.	350520	ARTHUR		SPURRETT	26-Jun	KIA
Pte.	351936	ARTHUR		HAGGER	30-Jun	KIA

July 1917:

The Battalion went into a reserve area on 9th July, undertaking various training exercises and rest.

July Casualties:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Cpl.	350512	RAYMOND		GIBSON	3-Jul	KIA
Pte.	351171	ELLIS		BOWKER	3-Jul	KIA
Pte.	351716	TOM		MOSS	3-Jul	DoW
Pte.	352313	STANLEY		BUCKLEY	3-Jul	KIA
Pte.	375895	BERTRAM		ATKIN	4-Jul	KIA
Pte.	400212	JOHN		MURPHY	23-Jul	DoW
Pte.	400602	JOHN	H	MARSH	23-Jul	KIA
Pte.	400720	ALFRED	A	OVERTON	23-Jul	DoW
2/Lt.		BERTIE		FREEDMAN	3-Jul	DoW

August 1917:

On the 22nd August they were entrained, bound for Ypres, and suffered only one death, Private JOSEPH REYNER (350880) who died of wounds on August 30, 1917 and is buried at Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery.

September 1917:

In September the 42nd Division took over a sector almost a mile in width, enduring appalling conditions due to bad weather and constant heavy enemy shellfire.

September Casualties:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Pte.	351748	CYRIL	J	WELFORD	1-Sep	KIA
Pte.	352074	WILLIAM		BRADBURY	1-Sep	KIA
Pte.	352672	HARRY		LUNN	2-Sep	KIA
Pte.	350646	GEORGE		ROBSON	3-Sep	KIA
Pte.	352013	MICHAEL		ROGAN	5-Sep	KIA
Pte.	376856	JOSEPH	E	SELLERS	6-Sep	KIA
Pte.	51426	WILLIAM		SINCLAIR	11-Sep	KIA
Pte.	34276	SETH		WALLEY	12-Sep	KIA
Pte.	352239	HERBERT		WOOD	12-Sep	KIA
Pte.	351685	JOSEPH		LINDLEY	13-Sep	KIA
Pte.	350290	THOMAS		GASKELL	14-Sep	KIA
Pte.	35481	JAMES	W	SMITH	14-Sep	KIA
Pte.	51422	GEORGE		BELL	14-Sep	KIA
Pte.	350993	STANLEY		STRUTT	14-Sep	KIA
Cpl.	350522	WILLIAM		SMITH	15-Sep	KIA
Pte.	376681	FRANK		DYSON	16-Sep	DoW
C.S.M	350051	WILLIAM		BIRCHALL	25-Sep	DoW

The 9th battalion left the front line at the end of September and took over the coastal defence at the Nieuport front, under constant shellfire and aerial attack. In December the battalion went into the line near Bethune with the 10th battalion.

During this period the following casualties were recorded:

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Pte.	50293	SIDNEY		WATSON	24-Oct	KIA
Pte.	351696	JOHN	H	MOORES	24-Oct	KIA
Pte.	351732	WILLIAM		BOURNE	24-Oct	KIA

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	Died	Cause
Pte.	351273	WILLIAM		LEECH	3-Nov	KIA
Pte.	351909	THOMAS		BLAZE	3-Nov	KIA
Pte.	351224	ELLIS		HIBBERT	6-Nov	DoW
Pte.	350869	WALTER		LEECH	8-Nov	DoW
Pte.	350538	THOMAS		BUTLER	12-Dec	KIA

1918
The battalion moved to Gorre on the 24th January where trench warfare continued with raids from both sides. In a raid on the 11th February, 1918 the battalion went over the top in a successful action in the sector opposite Festubert, with artillery stopping any German escape or reinforcements.

On the 15th March the battalion was withdrawn to the Busnes/Burbure/Fouquieres area. The army was going through a dramatic reconstruction at this time with brigades being reduced from 4 to 3 battalions. Some 260 officers and men of the 9th joined with the 2/9th while 210 others joined the 1/5th and the 1/6th. Other men were used to supply drafts to under strength battalions, like the 1st Notts & Derby Regiment.

Those left in the battalion remained as a training cadre. In August 1918 they absorbed the 13th Manchesters and were later reconstituted as the 9th battalion. They ended the war in Soire le Chateau near Avesnes.

Note: Much of the original text for 1918 was taken from the www.themanchesters.org and is their copyright.

Commanding Officers
A list of the Battalion’s Commanding Officers in World War One can be found here.

1/9th Manchesters 1914-15

1/9th Manchesters 1916-17

1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment in Egypt 1916-17

The 9th Battalion left Mudros in early January and landed at Alexandria on January 17, 1916. They were taken by train from Alexandria to Cairo and from Cairo Station to Mena Camp by tram. Mena Camp was situated about 10 miles West of the centre of Cairo just on the outskirts of the city and took its name from Mena House, an old hotel located near the Giza pyramids.

Mena House Hotel, Giza

A week later they moved to Tel-el-Kebir which is located about 68 miles north-north-east of Cairo and 25 miles West of Ismailia.

Tel el Kebir

Shortly after, they moved to El Shallufa on the Suez Canal, making camp on the East of the canal.

Cantilever bridge at Shallufa

On February 10th they moved again to El Kabrit, about 20 miles north of Suez where they remained for some time.

Kabrit South Pilot Station

Map: Battalion Locations January to June 1916

January – June was spent rebuilding the Division by the addition of new recruits from England and soldiers rejoining from hospital to replace those lost in Gallipoli and the longest serving Territorials whose time had expired. The battalion was engaged in improving the canal fortifications needed to protect the Southern route across the Sinai from raiding parties (since no large army could cross quickly without first building rail and water supplies).

There were 3 routes across the Sinai; the Northern Route which covered El Arish to B’ir Qatia to El Qantara (known as Kantara to the Allies); the Central Route (which followed the Ismailia to Maghara Road), and the Southern Route. Militarily, each route had a base of operations which were El Qantara, El Ferdan and Shallufa respectively. Since the central and southern routes were impassible to a large force without first building supply lines these two routes were defended by the Allies from small raiding parties through a three tier defence of an outpost approximately 7 miles out from the canal, with a second outpost 3 1/2 miles out and a bridgehead at the canal itself. Much effort was spent consolidating these outposts and linking them together via signals and other communications.

Beginning in January 1916, a new railway was constructed, by the British and Egyptian allied ‘Egyptian Expeditionary Force’ (EEF), from El Qantara to Romani, and was planned to continue eastward through the Sinai to El Arish and Rafa on the border with the Ottoman Empire. A water pipeline and telegraph line were simultaneously constructed along the same route by the Royal Engineers.

April (Suez):

In April the Battalion moved south to Suez and began to engage in divisional training and route marches. On April 26th the Battalion suffered 2 fatalities and several wounded during a training exercise when a bomb exploded accidentally. And the next day a man was accidentally killed when he was shot as another man cleaned his weapon which accidentally discharged.

June (Abū al ‘Urūq):

By the end of June, 17 Officers and around 500 Other Ranks had joined (or rejoined) the Battalion. The Battalion was then effectively back to full strength.

Moving a Water-Tank at El Ferdan

In late June the Division moved to El Ferdan, and then to Abū al ‘Urūq, to assist with the fortifications of the central route since they were now fully recovered and acclimated to the harsh desert conditions and summer heat. Fortification work and training continued throughout July until the 23rd.

July (El Qantara):

In July, intelligence reports indicated a large Turkish force, led by German Officers, was making its way Westwards from El Arish along the Northern Route. 8th Corp, to which the 42nd Division belonged, was transformed into a Mobile Column and sent to meet this force which was moving towards the Suez Canal.

Aerial View of Kantara

On July 25th, the Battalion marched overnight from Abū al ‘Urūq to El Ferdan, so that they could cross the canal, and then the following night made their way to El Qantara (and on to Hill 40), via Al Ballāḩ. Soldiers considered not fit enough for the upcoming difficult desert marches were left at El Qantara. At this point the Battalion was re-equipped to operate as a Mobile Column.

Map: Battalion Locations July 1916 to March 1917

August (Pelusium):

On Aug 4th the Battalion marched to Gilban, which was a station on the newly constructed railway along the Northern Route.

Wrecked Mk IV British tank at Gilban Station

The rest of the Division entrained to Hill 70 from where the 127th Bde marched across the desert to support the Anzacs at the Battle of Romani. The 126th Bde moved to Pelusium by train on August 8th where they were held in Corps reserve.

Railway Station at Pelusium

The Battalion remained at Pelusium for the rest of August engaged in outpost duty, training and route marching.

September (Oghratina):

After the allied victory at Romani, defence turned into offence and the railway and water pipes were slowly extended eastwards. The 42nd Division was pushed out ahead to protect the new construction from raiders who were mainly Bedouin tribesmen allied with the Turks.

Supply Depot near Oghratina

The Battalion marched to Romani on Sept 9th and then on to Er Rabah the following day and Oghratina, which was considered to be the outpost line, on the 11th. On Sept 21st they moved into reserve at Hod en Negiliat, (a “hod” is a plantation of date palms).

Camel train carrying supplies at Negiliat

The Battalion went back into the line at Oghratina on October 2nd and remained there until October 24th during which time they were engaged in training and route marches once again.

October & November (Bîr el-‛Abd):

In October the railway reached Bîr el-‛Abd (30 miles East of Romani) and the Battalion marched there from Oghratina on October 25th. In November it reached Bîr Salmâna and Abu Tilûl before arriving at Al Mazār.

Al Mazār

The Battalion marched to Kilo 60 (Bîr Salmâna) on November 9th and then on to Kilo 100 (Abu Tilûl) the following day. Two weeks later, the Battalion marched to Al Mazār on November 24th. Here the Battalion spent 3 days being disinfected using a mobile system sent out by rail especially for the troops who had been living under canvas since arriving in Egypt.

December (Al Mazār):

In December an offensive was launched against the Turks at El Arish but by the time the Corps was ready to engage, the Turks had fled. The Battalion marched to Kilo 128 on December 20th in preparation, but were ordered to return to Al Mazār the following day.

1917 (Moascar):

The 42nd Division marched into El Arish in mid January 1917 and spent two weeks there by the sea.

Wadi El Arish

But at the end of January they were ordered back to the Suez Canal in preparation for their imminent deployment to France. The Division arrived at El Qantara by train in early February and then marched to camp at Moascar. They left Moascar for Alexandria by train on March 1st to sail for France on March 4th.

Casualties:

Throughout their time in Egypt, during 1916 and 1917, there was little danger from hostile forces, their main threat being sickness and disease brought on by unsanitary conditions and the harsh summer climate of the Sinai desert.

Rank	No.	1st Name	MI	Surname	When	How
Pte.	2088	WILLIAM	H	COOKE¹	19-Jan	Died
Pte.	1744	ANTHONY		SHERIDAN	25-Feb	Sickness
Pte.	3260	JAMES	W	MANSFIELD¹	7-Apr	Sickness
Pte.	2327	THOMAS		SMITH	26-Apr	Bomb
Pte.	3244	ERNEST		CHADDERTON	26-Apr	Bomb
Pte.	3483	JOHN		HEGGINBOTTOM	27-Apr	Shot
Pte.	3029	TOM	A	CARR	2-May	Died
Pte.	2341	PERCY		NICHOLSON	13-May	Died
Pte.	3987	HARRY	H	KERRICK	28-Oct	Sickness

Note 1: These men died and were buried in the UK (St. Paul’s Church Stalybridge and Dukinfield Cemetery respectively) and so it is highly unlikely that they served in Egypt in 1916.

On March 4, 1917, the same day that the Battalion embarked for France, the final Egyptian casualty, Private JAMES KERR (1984), died of pneumonia in Hospital in Ismailia. He was buried at the Ismailia War Memorial Cemetery.

Honors:

During 1916 several Officers and men were officially recognized for their long exemplary service and for individual acts of bravery in Gallipoli as prior recommendations worked their way through the honours process.

On January 28, 1916 the following men of the 1/9th Manchester Regiment were mentioned in despatches for their part in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard.

Second Lieutenant (temporary Captain) O. J. Sutton
Lieutenant W. T. Forshaw, V.C.
Second Lieutenant C. E. Cooke.
No. 180 Sergeant S. Bayley.
No. 2103 Corporal T. Pickford.
No. 2148 Lance-Corporal S. Pearson.
No. 1294 Private F. Chevalier.
No. 1160 Drummer H. Broadhurst.

In February, information was received that Capt. O. J. SUTTON and 2/Lieut. E. COOKE had each been awarded the Military Cross, and L/Cpl. PEARSON and Cpl. PICKFORD the D.C.M.

In August the Battalion received orders which in part contained the following entries:

Qtr. Mr. & Hon Major CONNERY – awarded Military Cross
No 1792 L/Cpl. DAVIES A. – awarded D.C.M.
No 1623 Sgt. GREENHALGH J. – awarded D.C.M.
No 1083 Pte. LITTLEFORD S. – awarded D.C.M.

1792 L/Cpl. A. DAVIES, DCM
For conspicuous gallantry when covering a retirement under a very heavy fire at a few yards range. [Gazetted June 21, 1916 for the actions of December 19, 1915]

1623 Sgt. JAMES GREENHALGH, DCM
For conspicuous gallantry when covering a retirement under a very heavy fire at a few yards range. [Gazetted June 21, 1916 for the actions of December 19, 1915]

1083 Pte. SAMUEL LITTLEFORD, DCM
For conspicuous gallantry in flinging a lighted bomb over the parapet, and thus probably saving many casualties. He was himself wounded in the arm by the explosion. [Gazetted June 21, 1916]

Desert Glossary:

Sabkha: A salt flat with a thin crust and very muddy underneath.

Hod: A planting of palm trees, a palm grove.

B’ir: A well from which water can be pumped to the surface.

Kathīb: A large sand dune or other elevation less than 300m.

1/9th Manchesters 1914-15

1/9th Manchesters 1917-18

C.O.s of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

During the period of the great war the following men were Commanding Officers of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

August 4, 1914 to May 22, 1915. Commanding the Battalion at the outbreak of war he oversaw their move to Egypt and their deployment at Gallipoli. He was wounded in Action shortly after arriving at Gallipoli and evacuated to Hospital in Egypt before returning to the UK.

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Frederick Egerton, DSO

May 24, 1915 to June 9, 1915. Temporary Lt.-Col. AF Egerton (HQ Staff, 9th Army Reserve of Officers) was appointed to command the Battalion in Gallipoli and was subsequently replaced just over 2 weeks later due to ill health.

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Bottomley Nowell

June 9, 1915 to July 16, 1915. Temporary Lt-Col. RB Nowell assumed command of the Battalion when Temp. Lt-Col Egerton left.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Worgan Falcon

July 16, 1915 to September 10, 1915. Lt.-Col. RW Falcon (late 53rd Sikhs) arrived and assumed command of the Battalion. He was placed on the sick list and invalided to hospital on September 10, 1915.

Major Roderick Livingstone Lees

September 11, 1915 to September 30, 1915. Major RL Lees (1/6th Lancs Fusiliers, TF) arrived from 125th Brigade and assumed command of the battalion. During his short time in command he was awarded the D.S.O. and shortly after was replaced and transferred back to the 1/6th Lancs Fusiliers.

Major William James Anderson

September 30, 1915 to October 19, 1915. Major WJ Anderson (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding)) arrived and took command of the battalion. He was killed in action by a bomb whilst visiting the trenches on October 19, 1915.

Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey Walker Robinson

October 19, 1915 to November, 1915. Temporary Lt-Col. GW Robinson (1/10th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed temporary command of the battalion upon the death of Major WJ Anderson.

Major Leonard Clay Wilde

November 1915 to December 30, 1915. Major LC Wilde (1/10th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed command of the battalion in November. He commanded the battalion through their evacuation from Gallipoli and their short stay at Mudros at which point he returned to command the 1/10th Manchesters when Lt. Col. GW Robinson was temporarily placed in command of the 125th Infantry Brigade on December 31, 1915.

Major Arthur Edward Flynn Fawcus

December 31, 1915 to January 4, 1916. Major AEF Fawcus (1/7th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed command of the 1/9th Battalion on December 31, 1915 at Mudros. He was sent sick to Hospital on January 4, 1916 while the battalion was still at Mudros. He later re-joined the 1/9th on April 8, 1916, as 2nd in Command, while the battalion was serving in Egypt before leaving for UK leave on May 8, 1916.

Major Alexander Hargreaves Roberts

January 5, 1915 to February 8, 1916 (assumed). Major AH Roberts (1/5th Battalion East Lancs Regiment) assumed command of the battalion at Mudros after Major Fawcus became sick. There is no record of Major Roberts leaving the battalion and so it is assumed that he retained command until Lt. Col. DH Wade returned in February.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

February 8, 1916 to April 27, 1917. Lt-Col. DH Wade arrived from the UK and assumed command of the battalion while they were at Shallufa, Egypt. He commanded the battalion throughout their deployment in Egypt in 1916 with one or two short absences when he temporarily assumed command of the 126th Brigade. During those short absences Major RB Nowell temporarily assumed command of the battalion. He was replaced upon becoming sick when he was invalided to hospital and subsequently repatriated to England. In June he transferred to the Territorial Reserve and did not return to action. He was 51 years old at the time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Bottomley Nowell

April 27, 1917 to May 26, 1917. Temporary Lt-Col. RB Nowell assumed command of the battalion upon the departure of Lt-Col. DH Wade. He was replaced one month later by an Officer of the Regular Army which by this time had become a trend for the Territorial Forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Evan Colclough Lloyd

May 27, 1917 to March 22, 1918. Temporary Lt-Col. E. C. Lloyd (Royal Irish Regiment) assumed command of the battalion on May 27, 1915 in Havrincourt Wood, France. He relinquished command when he was wounded in action on March 22, 1918 temporarily turning over command to Lt. Oppenheimer, the battalion’s Intelligence Officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Lister Heselton

March 23, 1918 to August 13, 1918. Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Heselton (Worcestershire Regiment) took over command of the battalion when Lt-Col. EC Lloyd was wounded in action. In August 1918 they absorbed the 13th Manchesters (later reconstituted as the 9th Battalion) upon which he relinquished command and was transferred to another active battalion.

Inter War Years

After the war, orders to reform the regiment were received in October 1920 and Lt-Col D. H. Wade was appointed Commanding Officer on October 29, 1920. But his tenure was to be fairly short-lived when he retired from the Territorial Force on January 27, 1922 having reached the age limit. Subsequent to his retirement he was granted the rank of Brevet Colonel due to his long and distinguished services.

A few weeks later the War Office confirmed the re-appointments of some old officers including Capt. George William Handforth, Capt. William Marsden Barratt and Lt. Beltran Ford Robinson.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

Lt-Col. D. H. Wade was commanding officer from October 29, 1920 until he retired from the Territorial Force on January 27, 1922 having reached the age limit.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Broadbent

Lt-Col. John Broadbent took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. D. H. Wade), on January 28, 1922. He remained in command for 4 years, vacating command on January 28, 1926.

Lieutenant-Colonel George William Handforth

Lt-Col. George William Handforth took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. J. Broadbent), on January 28, 1926. He remained in command for 6 years, vacating command on January 28, 1932.

Lieutenant-Colonel Beltran Ford Robinson

Lt-Col. Beltran Ford Robinson took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. G. W. Handforth), on January 28, 1932. He remained in command for 6 years, during which time he was awarded the Territorial Decoration, vacating command on January 28, 1938.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Marsden Barratt

Lt-Col. William Marsden Barratt took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. B. F. Robinson), on January 28, 1938. He was in command at the outbreak of World War 2 .

1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters

August 1914:
The 1/Sherwoods were in Bombay, India when war broke out. They quickly returned to England, landing at Plymouth on 2 October, 1914. They immediately moved to Hursley Park and came under orders of the 24th Infantry Brigade of the 8th Division.

November 1914:
On the 5 November, 1914 they landed at Le Havre and from this point forward they fought on the Western Front in the 24th Infantry Brigade of the 8th Division.

January 1918:
CANAL BANK, YPRES
Order of Battle of the 8th Division week ending January 5, 1918:

Unit	Officers	O.R.s
23rd Infantry Brigade
2nd Devons	43	916
2nd West Yorks	34	656
2ns Scottish Rifles	34	887
2nd Middlesex	39	705
23rd Machine Gun Co	10	182
TOTAL	160	3,346
24th Infantry Brigade
1st Worcesters	33	763
2nd East Lancs	38	550
1st Sherwoods	32	633
2nd Northants	39	879
24th Machine Gun Co	9	180
TOTAL	151	3,005
25th Infantry Brigade
2nd Lincolns	26	724
2nd Royal Berks	37	587
1st Irish Rifles	36	679
2nd Rifle Brigade	32	644
25th Machine Gun Co	10	182
TOTAL	141	2,816

218th Bn MG Company	9	180
22nd Durham LI (Pioneers)	35	782
GRAND TOTAL	496	10,129

Drafts for the 1/Sherwoods arrived throughout the month totaling 9 Officers and 152 Other Ranks.

February 1918:

STEENVORDE, FRANCE.

Drafts for the 1/Sherwoods arrived throughout the month totaling 1 Officers and 108 Other Ranks.

March 1918:

In February 1918 the Division was re-organized to support 3 Battalions per Infantry Brigade and the Brigade Machine Gun Companies were consolidated into a separate Machine Gun Battalion made up of the three Brigade MG Companies plus the 218th Battalion Machine Gun Company.

Unit	Officers	O.R.s
23rd Infantry Brigade
2nd Devons	41	937
2nd West Yorks	35	930
2nd Middlesex	50	934
TOTAL	126	2,801
24th Infantry Brigade
1st Worcesters	42	847
1st Sherwoods	41	930
2nd Northants	34	985
TOTAL	117	2,762
25th Infantry Brigade
2nd East Lancs	43	889
2nd Royal Berks	59	840
2nd Rifle Brigade	36	818
TOTAL	138	2,547

22nd Durham LI (Pioneers)	49	906
8th Div MG Btn	45	868
GRAND TOTAL	475	9,884

During the first half of the month, drafts for the 1/Sherwoods arrived daily totaling 1 Officers and 62 Other Ranks.

First Battle of the Somme, 1918

From March 22 to April 4th the 1/Sherwoods took part in what was to become known as the First Battle of the Somme, 1918. Early in the morning of March 21, 1918 the Germans attacked the allied lines during the opening of the Spring Offensive. As the Germans pushed forward the 8th Division was moved from Flanders to the Somme to do what it could to stem the tide. The 1/Sherwoods dug in on the West bank of the Somme and defended the bridge at St Christ on the evening of March 23rd. The next few days saw the 1/Sherwoods engaged in dogged resistance, ordered withdrawal and then counter-attack. By the end of the engagement the 8th Division had fulfilled its duties but had suffered significant casualties.

Unit	Officers				Other Ranks
	K	W	M	Total	K	W	M	Total
23rd Infantry HQ	0	0	1	1	3	3	1	7
2nd Devons	3	11	2	16	29	215	63	307
2nd West Yorks	6	12	2	20	30	182	377	589
2nd Middlesex	2	9	13	24	16	96	354	466
24th Infantry HQ	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
1st Worcesters	2	16	1	19	24	180	200	404
1st Sherwoods	3	7	3	13	26	89	264	379
2nd Northants	5	9	4	18	27	122	159	308
25th Infantry HQ	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2nd East Lancs	2	19	2	23	35	223	211	469
2nd Royal Berks	3	21	4	28	30	169	102	301
2nd Rifle Brigade	6	11	3	20	32	105	300	437

22nd DLI (Pioneers)	4	12	7	23	29	149	291	469
8th Div MG Btn	4	8	4	16	22	120	178	320
Royal Artillery	2	11	0	13	10	62	25	97
Royal Engineers	1	5	6	12	8	49	74	131
RAMC	0	1	2	3	0	9	0	9

Totals	43	153	54	250	321	1,773	2,599	4,693

April 1918:

During the first 3 weeks of April the 1/Sherwoods were out of the front line, resting and re-organizing their companies due to the heavy losses suffered in March. During the early part of the month a significant number of new drafts were received.

Date	Officers	O.R.s	Total
April 4, 1918	0	439	439
April 5, 1918	0	2	2
April 9, 1918	0	141	141
April 11, 1918	3	0	3
Monthly Totals	3	582	585

More than 50% of the Battalion’s fighting strength was replaced by these men during a two week period. The logistics and organizational disruption of such a significant change in personnel in a front line infantry unit must have been overwhelming.

Drafts of April 4, 1918

At least 250 of the men who made up the Draft of April 4th came from the Manchester Regiments, an additional 100 from the Lancashire Fusiliers (who were subsequently assigned Service Numbers 108816 – 108914).

During the Brigade and Divisional re-organizations that took place in February and March 1918 the 2/10th Manchester Regiment was disbanded in France and the 2/9th Manchester Regiment was absorbed into the 1/9th Manchester Regiment and ceased to exist. In April, the 1/9th Manchester Regiment and the 2/5th Manchester Regiment were reduced to a cadre. The surplus men from these regiments found themselves at the Infantry Base Depots in Etaples at the end of March 1918 and were re-assigned to other regiments as needs arose.

Approximately 40 men previously serving in a variety of Manchester Regiments joined the 1/Sherwoods from the Manchester Infantry Base Depot in Etaples. These men were given Service Numbers 108926 – 108965.

Approximately 35 men previously serving mainly in the 1/9th Manchester Regiment and 1/10th Manchester Regiments joined the 1/Sherwoods from the Manchester Infantry Base Depot in Etaples, many shipping out from the UK on March 31, 1918. These men were given Service Numbers 205420 – 205455. Included in these men was Arthur Slater.

But perhaps the most interesting group was approximately 155 young men who were 18-19 years old and were raw recruits recently drafted into the Army through the Military Service Act. These men had no prior military experience. Drafted into the Army Reserve, for the duration of the war, approximately 3 months before their 18th birthday and assigned to one of the training battalions (mainly the 71st & 67th Training Reserve Battalions) with a reserve service number and based at Ripon (71st) or at the Altcar Training Camp in Hightown, Merseyside (67th). They were subsequently posted to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion Manchester Regiment on November 27, 1917, moved to Scarborough and assigned a “proper” 5 digit Manchester Regiment service number (59*** or 60***). They then proceeded to Folkestone on March 30, 1918 and embarked for Boulogne arriving March 31, 1918. Assigned to the Manchester Infantry Base Depot (MIBD) at Etaples, where on April 4, 1918 they were transferred to the 1st Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment (1/Sherwoods), and assigned a new six digit service numbers in the range 108979 – 109155.

Drafts of April 9th

It appears that the vast majority (and possibly the entirety) of the draft of men who were taken on the strength of the Battalion on April 9, 1918 were another batch of raw recruits, with no prior military experience, mostly from the Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire areas. Drafted into the Army Reserve, for the duration of the war, approximately 3 months before their 18th birthday and assigned into 7th Reserve Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment, based in Ripon where they underwent basic training. They embarked at Folkestone and Disembarked at Boulogne on 3 April, 1918. Assigned to No 4 Infantry Section, GHQ 3rd Echelon BEF and transferred to 1st Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment on 9 April, 1918. Assigned a new five digit service number in the range 95807 – 95970.

This means that in the space of less than a week the 1/Sherwoods added more than 300 raw recruits who were 18 (or in some cases just 19) years old; fully 1/3 of Battalion strength.

The Battalion was now made up of several different collections of men:

Experienced men of the Notts and Derby Regiments, some of who had served with the 1/Sherwoods for the duration of the war.
Raw recruits, 18-19 years old and fresh out of basic training, who were Notts and Derby men.
Experienced men formerly of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Experienced men formerly of the Manchester Regiments.
Raw recruits, 18-19 years old and fresh out of basic training, who were Manchester Regiment men.

Second Battle of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

In April, the 1/Sherwoods took part in what was to become known as the Second Battle of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. The Battalion moved on April 12th eventually going into the front line on April 19th, at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. They were relieved on the evening of the 23rd and marched back to reserve billets in BLANGY TRONVILLE. At 3:45am on the 24th the Germans began a frontal assault, under cover of mist and smoke, and had successfully penetrated the Allied lines at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX by 9:30am. The 1/Sherwoods were immediately put under the temporary command of the 23rd Infantry Brigade and were ordered to launch a counter-offensive attack at 10am. Fighting continued until the night of the 27th when the 1/Sherwoods were relieved but the counter-offensive was successful and VILLERS-BRETONNEUX was recaptured with the Germans driven from all their positions. However the toll on the Battalion was heavy and 234 men were officially listed as Killed, Wounded or Missing. The Battalion had been severely depleted once again.

Unit	Officers				Other Ranks				Grand
	K	W	M	Tot	K	W	M	Tot	Total
23rd Infantry HQ	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1
2nd Devons	3	6	1	10	49	184	93	326	336
2nd West Yorks	1	5	10	16	18	162	226	406	422
2nd Middlesex	2	2	9	13	6	98	435	539	552
23rd LTM Bty	0	0	0	0	1	2	13	16	16

1st Worcesters	3	8	0	11	20	106	0	126	137
1st Sherwoods	3	4	0	7	36	176	15	227	234
2nd Northants	4	6	0	10	15	251	19	285	295
24th LTM Bty	0	1	0	1	0	4	0	4	5

2nd East Lancs	3	8	2	13	31	153	85	269	282
2nd Royal Berks	3	7	0	10	55	185	10	250	260
2nd Rifle Brigade	1	3	10	14	15	68	297	380	394
25th LTM Bty	0	0	0	0	1	7	5	13	13

22nd DLI (Pioneers)	2	4	0	6	59	186	8	253	259
8th Div MG Btn	1	0	5	6	12	78	91	181	187
Royal Artillery	1	11	0	12	7	85	0	92	104
Royal Engineers	1	1	0	2	1	39	0	40	42
RAMC	0	1	1	2	1	10	1	12	14

A total of 133 Officers and 3,420 Other Ranks killed, wounded or missing; 3,553 in all.

And of those casualties the following 13 young men, formerly of the 5th Reserve Manchester Regiment – posted to their first fighting unit only 3 weeks earlier – lost their lives during the actions at VILLERS-BRETONNEUX.

Rank	Service Number	Forename	MI	Surname	Age	DoD
Pte	109027	SAMUEL		EGERTON	18	24-Apr
Pte	109062	FRANK		POWELL	18	24-Apr
Pte	109076	ALEXANDER		SMITH	18	24-Apr
Pte	109077	GEORGE	C.	SUMERFIELD	18	24-Apr
Pte	109098	THOMAS		HOWARD	18	24-Apr
Pte	109112	JOHN		DEWHURST	18	24-Apr
Pte	109156	GEORGE	H.	BENNETT	18	24-Apr
Pte	108985	WILLIAM	L. E.	LEWIS	18	25-Apr
Pte	108986	ROBERT		MACARTHUR		25-Apr
Pte	108995	JOHN		WRIGHT	18	25-Apr
Pte	109037	FRANK		HICKLIN	19	25-Apr
Pte	109059	MORNINGTON		PALEY		25-Apr
Pte	108982	DOUGLAS	G.	JACKSON	19	27-Apr

May 1918:

In the early hours of May 27, 1918 the Germans launched a ferocious artillery barrage with signaled the start of the 3rd Battle of the Aisne. By the time it was over 698 Officers and men of the 1/Sherwoods were officially listed as Killed, Wounded or Missing.

The list of Officers present that day is as follows:

Rank	Forename	Middle	Middle	Surname	Fate
Lt. Col.	JOHN	D		MITCHELL
Lt. Col.	ROBERT	FRANK		MOORE	KiA
Maj.	JOHN			EDWARDS
Capt.	ERIC	BOSWORTH		GREENSMITH	PoW
Capt.	CLARENCE			HARRISON	PoW
Capt.	JOHN	FERGUSON		MENZIES	PoW
Capt.	REGINALD	GUY		PEARSE
Capt.	WILLIAM			WESTON
Lt.	GEORGE	DUNCAN	McINTYRE	ABBOTTS	WiA
Lt.	LEONARD	LESLIE		DAWSON	KiA
Lt.	JOHN	GORHAM		FIELD
Lt.	CECIL	WILLIE		LAWS	KiA
Lt.	ALEXANDER			STRAW	MiA
Lt.	GUY	LUNTLEY		TUTIN
Lt.	JOHN	EDWARD	MILLS	WALKER	PoW
2/Lt.	CHRISTOPHER			AMBLER	WiA
2/Lt.	WILLIAM	EDWARD		BROWN	PoW
2/Lt.	CHARLES	ERNEST		CUMBERLAND	WiA
2/Lt.	WILLIAM	JOHN	RUSSELL	ELLIOTT	WiA
2/Lt.	HARRY			GREAVES
2/Lt.	WILLIAM	LESLIE		GREEN	WiA
2/Lt.	GEORGE	AUGUSTUS		HANCOCK
2/Lt.	ARTHUR	FRANCIS		HEATH	WiA
2/Lt.	FREDERICK	RICHARD		HINDERLICH	WiA
2/Lt.	THOMAS	ERNEST		INMAN	PoW
2/Lt.	ALFRED	OLIVER		JACKSON
2/Lt.	FREDERICK	GEORGE		KYLE	WiA
2/Lt.	ALFRED			MILLWARD	WiA
2/Lt.	ARTHUR			NEILD	PoW
2/Lt.	WILLIAM			NOBLE	WiA
2/Lt.	FITZ	DONALD		SEVERN	PoW
2/Lt.	DENNIS	MOULTON		START	PoW
2/Lt.	GEORGE	WALTER		WEBB	PoW

The following table lists the 67 young men formerly of the 5th Reserve Manchester regiment who were either killed or captured on May 27, 1918.

Rank	Service No.	Forename	Middle	Surname	Age	Fate
Pte	108974	James		Beesley		PoW
Pte	108979	Thomas	John Pellow	Howes	19	KiA
Cpl	108980	Harry		Humphreys		PoW
Pte	108987	John		Noone		PoW
Pte	108989	Ronald	John	Siddle		PoW
Pte	108993	Archibald	Campbell	Tyre	18	KiA
Pte	109004	Ignatius		Harring		PoW
Pte	109006	Francis	Edward	Nutter	18	KiA
Pte	109007	William		Ashton	19	KiA
Pte	109008	Stanley	Harold	Atherton	19	KiA
Pte	109011	Joseph	William	Barratt	19	KiA
Pte	109012	George	William	Bishton		PoW
Pte	109015	Henry		Burns		KiA
Pte	109020	Harold		Brown	19	KiA
Pte	109023	Allen		Diver	19	KiA
Pte	109025	Albert	Edward	Dodgson		PoW
Pte	109028	William		Evans	18	KiA
Pte	109029	George	William	Ernest		PoW
Pte	109034	Peter	Henry	Halliwell		PoW
Pte	109035	Joseph		Hansbury		PoW
Pte	109036	Samuel		Hacking		PoW
Pte	109038	John	Grafton	Hoskins		PoW
Pte	109039	Henry		Hopkins		PoW
Pte	109041	Horace		Jones		PoW
Pte	109042	Sydney		Jones		PoW
Pte	109046	Alfred		Lee	19	KiA
Pte	109050	John		Mayor		PoW
Pte	109051	Francis		McQuade		PoW
Pte	109052	Ernest		McAuley		PoW
Pte	109053	Alfred	Hubert	Madeley		PoW
Pte	109054	John		Mills	19	PoW
Pte	109056	James		Nelson	19	KiA
Pte	109057	John		Norris		PoW
Pte	109061	Norman		Pilkington		PoW
Pte	109063	William	Coventry	Reid	19	PoW*
Pte	109066	William	Baden Powell	Richards	19	PoW
Pte	109073	John		Steele	19	KiA
Pte	109075	James	Henry	Shepherd		PoW
Pte	109083	Claude	Llewellyn John	Wroe		PoW
Pte	109084	Harry		Williamson		KiA
L/Cpl	109085	Arthur		Wilson		PoW
Pte	109089	John	Cleave	Riley	19	KiA
Pte	109097	Thomas	Henry	Cashen		PoW
Pte	109102	Herbert		Austin	19	KiA
Pte	109103	Alexander		Allan	19	PoW
Pte	109105	George	Wain	Baird	19	KiA
Pte	109108	Charles		Baker	19	KiA
Pte	109111	Edward	Newton	Clarkson	19	PoW
Pte	109113	John		Oxford	18	KiA
Pte	109114	Herbert	Owen	Parry	18	KiA
Pte	109115	William		Pickard		PoW
Pte	109116	Joseph		Powell	19	KiA
Pte	109117	Joseph		Riley	19	PoW
Pte	109118	Francis	Joseph	Rogers	19	KiA
Pte	109121	Alfred		Shackley		PoW
Pte	109122	James		Sanderson		PoW
Pte	109124	Fred		Syer	19	KiA
Pte	109125	George	William	Taylor		PoW
Pte	109126	George		Walters		PoW
Pte	109130	Thomas	H	Fenney		PoW
Pte	109133	Albert		Harris	19	PoW
Pte	109134	William	J.	Hawkins	19	KiA
Pte	109136	Alfred		Haw		PoW
Pte	109137	Herman		Isherwood		PoW
Pte	109139	George	Edward	King	19	KiA
Pte	109147	Albert		Woolley	18	KiA
L/Cpl	109148	Albert		Worrall		PoW
Pte	109155	Joseph		Lockley	19	KiA

*William Coventry Reid was captured on May 27, 1918 and died of wounds on May 29,1918.

The following table lists the 15 young men formerly of the 7th Reserve Sherwood Foresters who were either Killed or Captured on May 27, 1918.

Rank	Co	Service No	Forename	Middle	Surname	Age	Fate
Pte		95807	Clarence	Stephen	Cox	18	KiA
Pte	B	95877	Jacob		Attwood	18	PoW
Pte		95887	James	Reginald	Batchelor	18	KiA
Pte		95897	John	Charles	Hubbard		PoW
Pte		95899	William	Ernest	Hames	18	KiA
Pte	A	95901	Bertie		Johnson		PoW
Pte	D	95913	Reginald		Sharpe		PoW
L/Cpl		95924	Cris	Burrows	Cotton	18	KiA
Pte		95925	Rowland		Cheshire	18	KiA
Pte	D	95932	David	Frederick	Fisher	18	PoW
Pte		95941	Charles	Henry	Hughes	18	PoW*
Pte	D	95955	Linford	D	Russell		PoW
Pte	A	95962	Francis	Harold Benjamin	Sturgess	18	PoW
Pte	D	95967	Leonard		Walker		PoW
Pte		95970	Gilbert	Walter	Watson	18	KiA

* Charles Henry Hughes was captured on May 27, 1918 and subsequently died of wounds received on May 29, 1918.

The full Divisional Casualty numbers are simply staggering:

Unit	Officers				Other Ranks		Grand
	K	W	M	Total	K/W/M	Total	Total
23rd Infantry HQ	0	1	0	1	0	0	1
2nd Devons	1	4	24	29	552	552	581
2nd West Yorks	1	6	15	22	555	555	577
2nd Middlesex	1	3	22	26	578	578	604
23rd LTM Bty	0	0	0	0	27	27	27

24th Infantry HQ	0	0	1	1	0	0	1
1st Worcesters	3	11	15	29	589	589	618
1st Sherwoods	1	12	10	23	675	675	698
2nd Northants	1	5	18	24	629	620	644
24th LTM Bty	0	0	3	3	46	46	49

25th Infantry HQ	0	0	2	2	0	0	2
2nd East Lancs	0	10	15	25	560	560	585
2nd Royal Berks	2	2	20	24	683	683	707
2nd Rifle Brigade	2	9	17	28	744	744	772
25th LTM Bty	0	0	1	1	22	22	23

22nd Durham LI (Pioneers)	1	14	4	19	494	494	513
8th Bn MG Company	2	4	18	24	382	382	406
Royal Artillery	1	3	36	40	370	370	410
Royal Engineers	3	7	6	16	323	323	339
RAMC	0	1	20	21	248	248	269
Div Train ASC	0	3	0	3	25	25	28
Mobile Vet Sect	0	1	0	1	3	3	4
A.C.D.	0	0	4	4	0	0	4

Totals	19	96	251	366	7,505	7,496	7,862

The extent of the casualties is also evident from the weekly report of Divisional Fighting Strength reported at the end of the first full week of June as compared to that of January or March.

	June 8th
Unit	Officers	O.R.s
23rd Infantry Brigade
2nd Devons	14	315
2nd West Yorks	13	221
2nd Middlesex	8	257
TOTAL	35	793
24th Infantry Brigade
1st Worcesters	9	243
1st Sherwoods	15	252
2nd Northants	9	274
TOTAL	33	769
25th Infantry Brigade
2nd East Lancs	13	301
2nd Royal Berks	18	277
2nd Rifle Brigade	14	270
TOTAL	45	848

22nd Durham LI (Pioneers)	19	460
8th Div MG Btn	24	501
GRAND TOTAL	156	3,371