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20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment
The 20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment was raised in in Manchester on the 8th of November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and City. They moved to Morecambe for training and in April 1915 moved to Grantham to join 91st Brigade, 30th Division. In September 1915 they moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain for final training and proceeded to France in November 1915, landing at Boulogne. On the 20th of December 1915, 91st Brigade transferred to 7th Division the 20th Manchesters then transferred to 22nd Brigade still with 7th Division. In 1916 They were in action during the Battles of the Somme, including the capture Mametz, The Battle of Bazentin, the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont and the Operations on the Ancre. In 1917 They fought during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres, seeing action in The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The Second Battle of Passchendaele. In late 1917 7th Division was selected to move to Italy. They took up position in the line along the River Piave, in late January 1918. On the 13th of September 1918 the 20th Manchesters left 7th Division and returned to France, joining 7th Brigade, 25th Division. They were in action in the Battles of the Hindenburg Line and the Final Advance in Picardy.
4th May 1915 20th Manchesters arrive at Belton Park 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment arrived at Belton Park Camp Grantham in Lincolnshire.
1st Jul 1916 Success and Failure
3rd of October 1918
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These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment during the Great War 1914-1918. - Aldred John James. Pte. (d.4th October 1918)
- Alexander Fred. A/Cpl. (d.3rd October 1917)
- Alexander James William. (d.9th Oct 1917)
- Bailey George Arthur. (d.1st July 1916)
- Bashford John. Pte.
- Bennett Samuel. Pte. (d.5/6 October 1918)
- Cockin James. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Dixon Albert. L/Cpl. (d. 6th May 1918)
- Giles Frederick Albert Brownett . Pte. (d.9th Oct 1917)
- Gowen Robert Edwin. L/Cpl (d.26th August 1916)
- Groves Charles Walter. Pte
- Hall Charles William. Cpl. (d.3rd April 1917 )
- Hall William Frances. Lt. (d.7th Oct 1917)
- Hart Benjamin John. Pte. (d.23rd Oct 1918)
- Isherwood John. Pte. (d.1st February 1917)
- Joyce Herman Joseph. Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916)
- Maugham Thomas. Sgt.
- Musgrave Albert Edward. (d.5th July 1916)
- Ogden David. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916)
- Oswald Alfred. Pte.
- Pettecrew Benjamin. Pte. (d.4th October 1918)
- Potter James Henry Francis. Cpl.
- Rayner John Montford. Pte.
- Richmond Albert. Pte.
- Roberts Albert Ernest. Pte.
- Roberts Albert Ernest. Pte.
- Thomas James. Pte. (d.1st July 1916)
- Thompson John. Sgt.
- Vince Stanley Gilbert Gordon. Cpl.
- Whittaker Ernest. Pte.
- Wood Harry Clifford. Pte.
All 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 Add a Name to this List
Records of 20th (5th City) Battalion, Manchester Regiment from other sources.
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Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a
Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.
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James William Alexander 20th Battalion (5th Pals) Manchester Regiment (d.9th Oct 1917) James Alexander served with the 5th Manchester Pals Battalion.
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Cpl. Herman Joseph Joyce 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916) Herman Joyce was my father's first cousin. Researching the Joyce family tree has introduced me to family I never knew we had. The tragic deaths of all those who died in the Great War touch me, deeply but when you come across a relative who died at such a young age it makes you appreciate their sacrifice even more. May all those unbelievably brave souls rest in perfect peace.
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Pte. James Cockin 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st Jul 1916) James Cockin was my granddad, and I know nothing about him, but would like to find what his life was like.
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Pte. David Ogden 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.3rd Sep 1916) David Ogden was my second cousin twice removed and he was killed in WW1.
He served with the 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment. He died 3rd of September 1916 aged 31 years and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial Pin France. Husband of Mary Ellen Ogden of 4 Mercer St., Hulme, Manchester.
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L/Cpl Robert Edwin Gowen A Coy 20th Btn Manchester Regiment (d.26th August 1916) Robert Gowen was my wife's Great Uncle. He served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in WW1. He died 26th of August 1916. I found the details above on the website of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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Sgt. John Thompson 20th Btn, C Coy, X Pln. Manchester Regiment My Grandad John Thompson served throughout the first world war with the Manchester 20th Regiment, C Company, X Platoon.
If anyone has any information about my Grandad, then please add the information as I would very much like to be able to answer the question as to what happened to him at the end of the war and why he apparently was admitted to hospital before returning home.
We have not been able to find official records to confirm this.
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Pte. Alfred Oswald 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment Alfred Oswald served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment.
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Pte. John Montford Rayner 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment Jack Rayner is my great-grandfather. He volunteered in November 1914. He served in the 20th Battalion (5th Pals) of the Manchester Regiment. He survived the War. I am researching him and the 20th Battalion and hope to go to France one day to trace their movements during the Somme.
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Pte. John Bashford 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment My Uncle John Bashford served with the 20th Manchester Regiment. We have no pictures or other material.
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A/Cpl. Fred Alexander 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.3rd October 1917) Fred Alexander is listed on our local War Memorial in Heckington, Lincs. I am researching all of the names.
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Sgt. Thomas Maugham 11th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment Thomas Maugham enlisted with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 16th of November 1914.
He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 15th of December 1916 and transferred to the 8th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment.
On 26th January 1917 he was transferred to the 11th Battalion, other wise known as the Accrington Pals.
On 13th November 1917 he was wounded, receiving a gun shot wound to his left thigh.
Thomas was sent home to the 3rd Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and was eventually demobbed on 21st January 1919.
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Pte. Ernest Whittaker 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment Ernest Whittaker was my father's brother, I know very little about him only a roll of honour from Levenshulme Congregational Church saying:
"Served with His Majesty's forces in the Great war of 1914-18"
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Pte. John Isherwood 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st February 1917) John Isherwood was the third of three sons born in Prestwich, and died in WW1.
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Pte. James Thomas 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment (d.1st July 1916) James Thomas, who is my great gran Elsie Richmond's cousin, was born in Manchester in 1886. He was the second son of Charles and Catherine Thomas. He worked as a checker at London Road goods depot in Manchester before he volunteered to join the Army. He joined the 20th Battalion Manchester regiment around 1914/1915. After his training he went to France. He was killed on 1st July 1916 and is buried at the Dantzig Cemetery near Memetz. I would love to be in touch with anyone who has any more information or pictures.
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Pte. Harry Clifford Wood 20th (5th City) Btn. Manchester Regiment Harry Clifford Wood was my grandfather, he died in 1958. I believe he was wounded by shrapnel and hidden by a farmer somewhere near Bethune. He was also in the Labour Corps, number 277075. I assume he was transferred due to his injury.
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Cpl. James Henry Francis Potter 20th (5th City Pals) Btn. Manchester Regiment James Henry Francis Potter, he preferred to be called Frank, joined up on 17 November 1914 and went to France a year later, in November 1915. He joined the 20th Service Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, otherwise known as the 5th City Pals. His Regiment saw intermittent action during 1916 until the major action at the Somme. He gained a field promotion to corporal on 20th March 1916 after action on the front line at C2 Sector.
He was injured on the first day of the battle and family knowledge suggested he was buried by a bomb which exploded by him. He was reported as being deaf and dumb when found, regaining both senses later in hospital after a nightmare. His casualty form at the time suggested that he was admitted to hospital in Rouen with shell shock on 3rd July 1916 and evacuated to England on 6th July 1916. The records don't suggest that he saw further active service although he was re-inoculated on 6th December 1916, presumably as a preparation for service.
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Lt. William Frances Hall 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment (d.7th Oct 1917) My great-uncle, William Francis Hall was born on the 23rd of August 1891 in Belfast to John Hall and Catherine (nee McCabe), he had many brothers and sisters. William served with the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment
Thank you so very much for all the memories that you are keeping alive.
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Pte. Albert Ernest Roberts 20th Btn. Manchester Regiment My Grandfather, Albert Roberts served with the 20th (5th City ) Battalion, Manchester Regiment from May 1915.
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Cpl. Stanley Gilbert Gordon Vince 20th Battalion Manchester Regiment Stanley Gilbert Gordon Vince was born in Monks Eleigh, Suffolk in 1895. In the early years of World War One, Stanley worked as a Clerk in the Packing Room of Henry Poole & Co, tailors in London’s Saville Row. His responsibilities included the processing, packing and despatch of customer orders and his salary was £52 per annum. Working for a tailor he was always immaculately dressed.
Stanley enlisted as a Private in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) on the 11th January 1916. He was posted to the 24th Infantry Brigade at Etaples in France on 29th June 1916. On the 9th July he was attached to the Manchester Regiment 20th Battalion & on 25th October 1916 he was with them in the field. Stanley and other Royal Fusiliers from London were reinforcements to replace the heavy casualties suffered by the Manchester Regiment during the Somme campaign. As Stanley was in the field with the Manchester Regiment 20th Battalion during May 1917 there is a high probability that he took part in the battle for Bullecourt either on 4th May 1917 or the 13th May 1917.
Clive Mabbutt, Stanley’s grandson said that he never spoke of the war to him. However his grandmother, Lillian Vince, told him of Stanley’s involvement in ‘hand to hand fighting’ and ‘being buried alive’ by mud from an exploding shell.
Stanley’s war service record shows his appointment to Acting Corporal on 4th April 1918 and from 13th May 1918 he was in action with the Manchester Regiment on the Italian Front. On 30th November 1918 he was invalided out of the war after suffering a heart attack whilst serving with the 22nd Battalion in the Italian mountains. Two or more years enduring the horrors of war on the Western Front and on the Italian Front had taken their toll and severely affected his health.
Stanley returned to employment with Henry Poole & Co in their Counting House. Responsibilities now included billing customers, compiling ledgers and paying staff. For this he was paid £107.4.0, double what he received when he left them to enlist. In his war service record there is copy of a telegram sent to his employer confirming that he was suffering from a 'Dilated Heart with Valvular Disease'. Despite suffering heart problems Stanley volunteered service as a Special Constable immediately after the war giving 9 years unpaid service with at least 50 duties per year. In 1939 he received The Special Constabulary Long Service Medal with bar. When World War Two broke out it is believed that Stanley continued service as a Special Constable because at the end of the war he was awarded The Defence Medal.
From 1929 Stanley Vince owned the Post Office and General Stores in Monks Eleigh with his wife Lillian. In 1952 ill health and further heart problems arising from his World War One service forced him to retire and he moved to Plymouth with his wife and daughter, Doreen. He enjoyed watching cricket and boxing and the odd bottle of ‘Mackeson’ Milk Stout with a Woodbine!
Stanley Vince died in 1969 and was buried in the cemetery of St. Budeaux Church, Plymouth, Devon. His wife Lillian was buried with him in 1995.
Stanley in 1916, when he enlisted as a Royal Fusilier. There is damage to be seen to this photo. Stanley’s younger brother, Sydney Vince was an Able Seaman who served with Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division and he carried this photo of Stanley in a wallet in a breast pocket of his RNVR uniform. It was returned to his family with his personal effects after he was killed in action. The damage is reputed to be from a bullet that killed him during the battle at Varlet Farm, near Passchendaele on 26th October 1917. Sydney has no known grave but he is thought to be in one of the thousands that are unidentified at Poelcapelle. His name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Stanley in 1918, with his Manchester Regiment Corporal Stripes.
Stanley’s older brother, Alfonso Vince, was killed in action whilst serving as a Private in the 1st Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment on 25th October 1915. He has no known grave but his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
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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.
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