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The Manchester Regiment
The Manchester Regiment was formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 63rd Regiment of Foot and the 96th Regiment of Foot.
Battalions during the Great War 1914-1918.
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Do you have any friends or relatives who are over 95 years old?
Please could you ask them if they have any recollections of childhood during The Great War or in the years immediatley after the war? We would like to preserve these memories before it is too late. We are also looking for recollections from the previous generation, please do ask elderly relatives if they recall any tales of life during the Great War told to them by older family members or friends and enter their recollections so that they can be preserved in our archive.
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April 2012 Please note we currently have a large backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site.
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Those known to have served with The Manchester Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918.
Select a story link or scroll down to browse those stories hosted on this site.
The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add,, or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please get in touch.
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728 Pte. Albert Summersgill 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment Albert enlisted on the 6th of April 1915 aged 21 and was discharged on the 15th of November 1917. |
101662 Cpm Sgt. Major Walter Charles Gorin 23 Battalion ( Bantam) Manchester Regiment (d.20th. July 1916) Mr. Walter Gorin served with the Grenedier Guards but was then seconded to train the Manchesters before going to the Somme.Sadly we believe he was killed by a sniper leaving a wife and four children his body was not recovered from the trenches.
He served from 1899 to 1902 with the Guards,he served with the 3rd Batt. Grenedier Guards through the South Africian Wars.In 1902 he was discharded to the Army reserve. Was rewarded medals possibly Queens and Kings South African medals.
In 1914 he was recalled to the colours serving as a Sgt. Instructor with the Guards at Chelsea Barracks and also served at various other places till Christmas 1914. Records for Walter did not survive the WW2 Blitz.A letter to his wife in July 1916 remarked how of Fifteen sergents transferred for training to various places only two remained. The Battalion disembarked at Bolougne on the 30th January 1916 my Grandad was killed on the 20th July that year.His name is on the Memorial at Thiepval Pier and face 13 A and 14 C he was aged 37. |
1015 Private Francis James Wailey Manchester Regiment (d.10th November 1917) This is a picture of my grandad, Sgt Thomas Farrell (on the right) and his wife's uncle (in the middle), Francis James Wailey, 1/7th Manchester Regiment, Service No 295124, who was killed on 10th November 1917 and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery.
He was the husband of Rose Wailey of 20 Wolsey Street, Stanley Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool. |
1016 Lance Corporal Farrell Manchester Regiment
The man on the right is L/Cpl Farrell of the Manchester Regiment, but I am not sure of his first name. |
204676 Sjt. John Thomas Barton 1/8th Btn. Manchester Regiment These are transcripts of three letters written to my grandmother by my grandfather, John Barton while he was serving with 1/8th Manchesters at Cape Helles, Gallipoli. Although undated my research has led me to be fairly certain that the first letter was written soon after the famous "Charge of the Manchesters" at Krithia on 4th June 1915 and explains his rapid promotion to Sgt, "on the field," (the loss of men was enormous). The second letter speaks for itself as he recovered from a shrapnel wound to the knee. The "Big Battle" mentioned in the third letter was the dreadful struggle to capture Krithia Vinyard which began on 7th August 1915.
Dear Lizzie.
I bet you will be surprised to hear that I have been made a sergeant on the field. We made a magnificent bayonet charge and came off victorious. We didn't half make the Turks fly. I was sorry to hear of my poor pal Sam Brookshaw's death, it came as a shock to me, but never mind, he died for his country, like a brave soldier, and that is something to remember. Do please remember me to all my pals, only I suppose they have all 'listed. We shall want them all in this great struggle. I am in the best of health but get very weary with no time to stretch my legs having been in the trenches for many weeks now. We have not had a farthing of our pay, but there are no shops so we can't buy anything. I am getting quite used to living like a rabbit; it is a case of burrowing for your life.
Dear Lizzzie.
I am in hospital. I got a crack on my knee and it has produced cynivitus.
It is much better in here than in the trenches and quite a rest after the peninsula; no shrapnel in here. Don't upset yourself, it is nothing very serious and I expect to be back in the trenches soon. It is about time we got a furlough; twelve months have passed since we left dear Old England and it seems like twelve years. Still, we must not grouse. We shall get over it alright.
Dear Lizzie
I went for a swim in the Dardanelles the other day. The Turks threw a few Jack Johnsons at us but they are poor gunners. When they drop a shell on land it makes a tidy dugout where you can take cover quite safely as they never drop two in the same place. It is very nice country around here only we have not had a chance to explore it. We hope to see a little more of it shortly. I am writing this to you in the midst of a big battle, but we are not down hearted yet, not by a long chalk. Love to you and our boy. Tommy.
Tommy left Cape Helles with the rearguard in January 1916, one of the last to leave the Gallipoli peninsula. He survived his later war in France, joined the Coldstream Guards in 1920 as a substantive Sgt and stood, arms reversed, at one corner of the coffin of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey in 1921.
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204487 Private Prospero "Charlie" Novembrino Manchester Regiment My Grandfather was an Italian migrant from Genoa. he ran away to sea when he was 12 years old and sailed to New York as a Cabin Boy on a huge Steamer, Eventually he attended San Remo Cooking Academy. His profession in England was Chef and he worked at the Grand Hotel in Manchester. He Married Alice Maude Carroll of Hume, Manchester. His nickname was Charlie because he looked like Charlie Chaplin. He was 3 years younger than Alice Maude and was a lodger in her Mother's House. Te local parish priest placed him in that house because Alice was of an Age to marry. Alice died in 1951 at the age of 64. She was 28 and Grandad was 25 when they wed.
He enlisted in the Manchester Regiment and served in France in 1915? He was shot in the groin and was operated on in a field hospital by a captured german surgeon. When he recovered from his wound he was seconded to cook for the Officers. He eventually came home in 1919.
Charlie returned from the war and had a Daughter to his adored wife Alice who was my mother Sheila Novembino. He always walked with a limp and sported a walking cane. He always told us when rain was coming because his war wound used to cause him pain. |
204638 L/Cpl John James Hamer 2/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment John James “Jack” Hamer (200871) 1899-1962 joined the 2/5th on 7 December 1914 at Wigan; walking 8 miles from Bolton. While in training Jack was granted leave and went back home and married Isabella Billington on 17 Feb 1915. As a Private he also served, and ended the war, with the 12th Bn, Manchester Regiment. He stated that during the war he was a Postman, undoubtedly one of the duties as a Company Clerk for the Regiment. At one time, during the war Jack was listed as missing in action, most probably due to miscommunication of his whereabouts, but it was long enough that notification was sent to his wife. He survived without any wounds and was promoted to Lance Corporal or Acting Corporal by the end of the war. Jack was granted furlough from 19 Feb 1919 until he was demobilized on 19 March 1919. Jack and Isabella emigrated to Canada in 1929 with their only daughter, Joyce. |
176700 Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts 20th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regimet Albert Ernest Roberts was my Grandfather who was wounded at the battle of the Somme in July 1916. Having volunteered in may 1915 and having completed his training, he was sent overseas serving on the western front in the Albert sector.
In July 1916 he was wounded in the right lower fore arm. Having recovered from this wound he went on to serve as a despatch rider at Etaples. He never talked to anyone about his time in the Great War nor did he approve of any war films.
In WW2 he served in the Home Guard as a Sergeant at Weaste, Salford, Manchester.
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140419 Pte. Daniel Burton 1st Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.8th March 1916) My Great Grand-father, Danny Burton joined up at the age of 34, he died at the Battle of Dujaila in Mesopotamia on the 8th of March 1916. He left a wife and 4 daughters. |
140023 Pte. Garside "Ned" Edwin 1/9th Batallion Manchester Regiment (d.25th April 1917) To the memory of Edwin Garside father of Maurice Garside R.I.P
This is the day my Great Grandfather Edwin died in WW1 in the Arras battle at Epehy. He was 22 with a baby boy at home, also called Maurice. He was married to Annie Williams and lived in Market Street Droylsden.
May we never forget our soldiers of the past, present and future.
The 1/9th Battalion war diary states the following.
8.45pm 24th through to 25th April 1917.
Epehy -
Operations of the morning to be continued, the 1/5th East Lancs to attack the Knoll from the NW. and W. 4th East Lancs Division out of trench F6a by German counter attack, retire on Little Priel Farm. The 4th East Lancs ordered to withdraw to No 13 Copse. The attack of the 5th East Lancs timed for 11pm delayed till situation cleared up. 5th East Lancs attack about 2am, but are not successful. Reported that Knoll was taken on right. C Company provide artillery, of 2 sections at F 3 d 88. Patrols penetrated Ossus Wood to about 300 yards, and were digging in but were forced to retire. Sniping Post established 50 yards from west end of Wood and on southern edge of wood. Enemy Machine guns known to be in Ossus Wood but not located.
Capt Stephenson and 2 platoons relieve 4th East Lancs in Spur Post. Attempt to relieve 2nd Lt Gray at Grays Post unsuccessful owing to difficulty in finding post. Requin and 14 Copse ----. Lt. Shatwell and 2 platoons D Company, attack Old German Trench, but it was strongly manned by enemy and is forced to withdraw. Heavy barrage and machine gun fire caused casualties.
Casualty Report for April :
Killed 6, Missing 7, Wounded 39, Sick 90.
Edwin is remembered on the Arras Memorial Bay 7.
God Bless you Edwin, we never got to know you, but you will never be forgotten X
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124984 Pte. Louis Fox 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jul 1916) Louis Fox was not a direct relative of mine. He was taken in as a homeless teenager by my maternal grandmother in the early years of the 20th century and remained with the family as a well loved family member until his death in 1916. |
171466 Pte. William "Darkie" Cole 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.15th July 1917) William Cole was my grandfather and I visited Belgium to try and find his grave in the 1970's. He having been killed in July 1917 somewhere near Neuwport, Belgium. My wife and I spent many
hours searching War Grave sites without success. We then spoke to two workman beside the small country lane who suggested a nearby church. It was their that we found his grave together with just a handful of others. We were surprised to find that he was in the Manchester Regt., having as far as I know, no historical connection. I am now searching for any record surviving
of the actions taking place and any cause of death that can be found. |
205126 Pay Sjt. Herbert "Squirt" Martindale 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment My Father's brother, Uncle Bert served in India. A few postcards have recently been found stuck in an old album and I have been able to detach them from their glued positions to reveal messages from Khandahar barracks in Fyzabad India. They were sent to my Father and his family and are dated between Dec 1917 and April 1918. He speaks of the intense heat in March - 107 degrees and the Smallpox and Bubonic plagues and says the people are "dirty" and their straw houses had to be burned to the ground, so they were given tents to live in. He also says not to worry about him because he is in the "Land of Plenty" and he refers to parcels he has sent over requesting to know whether they have arrived so that he can have receipts. I was told that he sent ivory and brass ornaments and a cigar and he mentions a tin of tea and sugar. He says he expects the unit to be moved, the move abroad was cancelled but there is to be a move within India. I don't think that came about as in the April 1918 postcard he thinks "--this is the last few months of the war." His brother, my Father, didn't have a good war, he was badly wounded in Ypres while all this was going on. Uncle Bert was in Hong Kong in the Military Police force at some time and was partially blinded due to an accident. He later married and two of his children are living. Having just telephoned one of them he tells me his Father first was at Hydrabad, and he referred to Fysabad as "flies are bad"!! The posting to Hong Kong was around 1920.
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133144 Pte. James Henry Bray 6th Battalion Manchester Regiment I am looking for any pictoral history of my Great Granddad Pte. J.H. Bray, if anyone has any photos, my family would be extremly grateful. |
204912 Pte. John Grimshaw 2nd Btn. Manchester Regiment Born in Manchester in 1885, Jack Grimshaw first saw service in South Africa before moving with his unit to Ireland just prior to the outbreak of World War I. He was an 'Old Contemptible' and served with the BEF at the battle of Mons including the famous rearguard action at Le Cateau on 26th August 1914. He subsequently took part in the Battle of the Marne on September 5th.
He was always clear about these details and exhibited pride in having helped to 'save Paris.' He moved up to Ypres sector with Fergusson's 5th Division but was always rather hazy about this part of his service. He did mention La Bassee in Northen France and also described how the British and Germans used to exchange goods between them, throwing items like tins of bully beef over to the enemy trenches, and they in turn sending over 'delicacies' of their own.
At one stage he was quite badly wounded and spent time in hospital in Versailles and he was also badly frostbitten - the index finger on his hand remained stiff and unusable to the day he died. The family thought he was invalided out at some stage - possibly 1915 or 1916 - and undertook munitions work with Armstrong Whitworth. The only subsequent service that was military in character was as an active member of the Home Guard in the next war.
His powers of description were always worth listening to. The way he described the Germans advancing like a cloud or fogbank in 1914 'what looked like this cloud coming towards us. It gradually became clear what we were up against: thousands and thousands of men all clad in Jerry Blue!'
He also confirmed his regiment's expertise in rapid fire saying that the barrel of his rifle became so hot he had to cool it down in a puddle.
Jack died in 1968. |
207125 Pte. Francis Wharton 18th Bn Manchester Regiment (d.12th Oct 1916) Sadly I don't know anything about my Great Uncle Frank Wharton, other than he fought and died in the Battle of the Somme. I never knew him, but feel enormous pride - I don't want him to be forgotten. Thank you for the opportunity to add him to this site. |
206171 L/Cpl. Joseph Benson 11th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917) As yet I do not have a lot of information on Joe. He is buried in Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme in France. He is on the war memorial in Audenshaw Cemetery and was on the Gate Street Memorial in Dukinfield. |
206062 Pte. James Burke 23rd(Service)Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.27th Sep 1918) Private James Burke, my grandfater, died on 27t Sept 1918. He enlisted into the Manchester Regiment (later Lancashire Fusiliers) on Jan 1915 aged 39. Drafted to France towards the end of 1915, he took part in heavy fighting at Loos, St. Eloi, Albert and Vimy Ridge. He was wounded on the Somme in July 1916. He was invalided home, but on recovery returned to France and took part in further fighting at Amiens, Bapaume and Havrincourt before he was killed in action at Cambrai.
By Feb 1918, the 18th, 19th and 23rd Manchesters were disbanded and later he was transferred to 23rd Lancashire Fusiliers.
His grave was never found and so his name is commemorated on Panel 4 of the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.
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205716 L/Cpl. Albert Dixon 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d. 6th May 1918) My Great Grandfather, laid to rest in the Commonwealth War Graves, Dueville, Italy. |
205496 Pte. John William Webster 18th Battalion Manchester Regiment My Grandfather John William Webster was with the Manchester Regiment, I think in the 18th Battalion, he was born in 1886 in Salford, Manchester.
He enlisted Dec 1914, and was discharged with wounds in June 1916. Cause of discharge is listed as "Para 392 XVI KR Wounds Action taken H738" |
205481 Pte. John William Webster Manchester Regiment My Grandfather John William Webster who was born in 1886 served in WW1
with the Manchester Regiment and was medically discharged in June 1916.
I would love to find a regimental photograph as I have never seen a photo of my Grandfather,
and would be moved beyond words if someone can help me find same.
I would also like to find his pension details to help me trace what
happened to Grandfather after his discharge in 1916, and possibly one day some relatives.
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205759 Sgt. Joseph Edward Houghton 1st Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.9th Jan 1917) Joseph was the loving son of Eliza Ellen Stewart. He was born Joseph Edward Treadwell, but changed his surname to his mother's maiden name. He was engaged to be married, but unfortunately he was killed. On his death certificate it stated Turkey, although he is remembered with Honour on the Basra Memorial. We will always remember and love him for ever. |
206079 Pte. Joseph Mingham Machine Gun Corps  My grandad, Joseph Mingham started the war in the Kings Own Lancashire Regiment. Later he transferred to the Manchester Regt which I believe was, or was going to be, converted totally to operate as a machine gun unit. He told me he spent some time attached to the 'Staffords'. I'm sure he also mentioned time served in Burma?
He didn't talk a great deal about his time in the war. A few things I do remember though were that rats were always present and they helped provide 'fresh' rations! The blokes tied string around their trousers at the ankles and thighs to prevent the rats having access to their private parts. They would cover their legs with a tin of dubbin on each leg to help prevent rot/trench foot. You had to be extremely careful if you were going to enter German trenches and shelters. He said that 'jerry' was very good at 'booby-trapping' and at engineering. Their bunkers were much more comfortable and deeper than ours and often had pianos down there. In the photo my grandad is seated at the front. He was the No1 on the Vickers in 'The Suicide Club'. |
207174 Private Arthur Patrick "Paddy" Burke 5th Pals service Manchester (d.9th October 1917) My Great Uncle Art/Arthur/Pat/Paddy Burke served from app Nov 1915 to his death, at Paeschendael, in Oct 1915. He was part of A company and spent 1916 around Mametz/ Fricourt, moving between the trenches and Morlancourt. He wrote some 200 plus letters, now with the Imperial War museum, many addressed "Somewhere in France". The recepients were his mother, brother Reg, and his sister (my Grandmother) Tot.
As a "picture" of the life of the private in the Great War these letters are as good as any that have been saved. He managed to circumvent the censor by sending some letters back with friends on furlough, or some who had "got a Blighty one".
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207456 Sgt. Joseph Samuel Herbert 21st Battalion Manchester Regiment Sgt Joseph Herbert joined the Manchester 21st Battalion 'E' Coy around August 1915 just after he turned 18. We know he trained at Heaton Park because he told us he did. We also know that he did not serve abroad due to his fitness but this is a bit of a mystery to us. We have some records such as information from when he left and we know he was based at Riby when he left on 1919 and he worked there as a clerk. On his wedding certificate in 1917 he is down as a clerk in the 70th training reserve.
I would like to find out more about what he did and why he was promoted to Sgt but haven't been able to get hold of any records of his service. |
207828 Pte. Richard Starkie 17th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916) I have recently obtained the Victory Medal belonging to Richard Starkie Pte 26441 who was born and enlisted in Manchester. He died in action on the first day of The Battle Of The Somme and is buried in the Serre Road Cemetery No2. His medal was sent to his wife who lived Oldham Road Manchester. I purchased the medal from a dealer to keep it in Manchester.
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207458 Pte. Martin Hoath 11th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.29th Aug 1916) Martin Hoath, enlisted into the Army at the outbreak of the War. He was attached to the 11th Manchester Regiment. The regiment was deployed to the Dardenelles, where he took part in the Sulva Bay Landings Gallipolli. After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, Martin went with his regiment to France. For some reason which has never been explained he was killed on the 29th of August 1916, whilst with the 21st Manchester Regiment who were deployed into trenches south of Delville Wood. He has no known grave and his service records were destroyed during the bombings in World War II. He left behind his wife Mary and four children all of school age. His name appears on the Theipval Memorial, France.
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208002 Cpl. Albert Edward Tinsley MM. 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment I remember my great uncle Ted when I was a child, but it was not until his daughter Alice died in the 1980s that I realised what he must have gone through during the Great War. On clearing the house I came across some letters and documents which detail some of his movements from 1914 to 1919.
Ted enlisted at the age of twenty in the 12th Battalion Manchester Regiment at Ashton Under Lyne and soon embarked for France. Somehow he managed to come through it all and I have his gallantry citation awarded 26th August 1918 for actions at Martinpuich and High Wood where he was awarded the Military Medal. Shortly after he was captured by the Germans and I have the letter from his commanding officer to his wife stating that he was missing from 9th September. I also have his dog tag and demob certificates. I remember him quite well as he was a bit of a character in the village where I grew up, and as children we never knew what he and his pals had gone through. |
1726 Pte. Walter Fitton 24th Btn. C Coy. Manchester Regiment Walter Fitton served with the Oldham pals. He was injured in 1916 and convalesced at a home for wounded soldiers in Claxton on Sea.
Walter Fitton, 2nd from front.
Walter Fitton, 1st left backrow.
Walter Fitton front left with dog.
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1739 Pte. John Heaton 2/5th Btn. A Coy. No 1. Pltn. Manchester Regiment (d.14th Apr 1917) John Heaton was killed on the 14th of APril 1917, he was 19 years old and had written to his parents, John and Jane just the previous day. He lies in Cambrin Military Cemetery, France. |
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