Disbandment message of Lt Col E Fearenside DSO OBE. Courtesy Bury Grammar School
Lt Col Edmund Fearenside DSO OBE PC https://livesofthefirstworldwar.org/dashboard
Following the action at Lock 8 and the Spoil Bank, the Battalion was no longer a fighting force. The survivors formed a Training Cadre at Guerville, under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Edmond Fearenside – an original officer in the Battalion since it was formed in September 1914. A sub-Cadre was formed at La Haie under Major Pomfret.
The first cadre of American Troops of 2/140 & 3/140 Infantry Regiments of United States National Guard (USNG) arrived on 26th May 1918. These Troops left Guerville & La Haie on 6th June 1918.
2/132 Infantry Regiment of USNG subsequently arrived Guerville, with 1/132 Regiment to La Haie. The Sub-Cadre at La Haie was relieved on 15/6/1918 and later joined by 3/132 Regiment, under Major Pomfret.
The Battalion was affiliated to 123rd MG Batt US at Pont Remy 28/6/1918. 3-17th July 1918 the men were at Vaucourt-Bussus affiliated to 3/129th USNG. Lieutenant Colonel Fearenside had leave in Paris 2-12 July 1918.
Capt T Cartman MC with 2 officers of the USEF 1918
A group of officers were transferred to Base when the Cadre was disbanded on 30th July 1918. Many continued in Home Service before they resigned their commissions. Another group of officers and Other Ranks were transferred to 13th Battalion. These are autographs of the men present.
Autographs of Officers and Other Ranks Present at Disbandment 30th July 1918. Courtesy Bury Grammar School
From the of autographs, I’ve endevoured to compile schedule of members of the disbanded cadre, with photos – as available. Thanks to Mark Horn of Bury Grammar School for allowing me to share images from Tom Cartman’s scrap book.
Officers of 17th Bttn in France. Credit Bury GS. Possibly the final roll
Lt Col E Fearenside DSO OBE – to CO 14th S Lancs and returned to teaching at Merchiston
Major Hugh Tunbridge Pomfret MC transferred to CO as Lieut Col of 11th Manchesters
Captain Thomas Cartman MC – to 13th Bttn and 224 POW Company. Killed in WWII.
Captain Robert Halliday Acting Adjutant. Transferred to 13th Bttn.
Capt Frederick Ruddy MC DCM transferred to 13th Bttn.
2nd Lt QM George Frederick Vaughan Dalley Enlisted as Pte 1914.
2nd Lt Cecil Hill MC. Transferred to 13th Bttn.
2nd Lt Charles Sadler MC. Transferred to 13th Bttn.
RSM S H Watson (??)
RQMS 8351 Joseph Wood MiD
CSM 519290 Benjamin Green DCM
CSM Phillan (?)
CSM Ryan (?)
Col Sgt / CQMS 8732 Thomas McCormack. Transferred to 13th Bttn.
Col Sgt George Royle DCM. Later 13th & 9th Bttns went on the be an Officer Cadet
CQMS /Col Sgt 8854 Ambrose Russell. Later 13th & 9th Bttns
Sgt 11760 William Brooks DCM MSM Formerly 19th Bttn. Later 9th Bttn.
Sgt J Costin (?)
Sgt 38544 John Curran DCM MM 38544 Formerly 19th Bttn. Later 9th and KLR.
Sgt 11186 John Charles Frawley
Sgt 11549 Harold Garner. Formerly 19th Bttn. Later 12th Bttn.
Sgt Johnston
Sgt 9042 Lionel Adolphus Pate. Later 13th Bttn.
Sgt G Packin (?)
Sgt J N Reid (?)
Cpl 9323 Charles Frederick Carter DCM (?). Later 9th Bttn
Cpl Payne (?)
Cpl D Rutty (?)
Cpl 9230 Fred Shaw. Formerly 19th Bttn. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Cpl 10478 Alfred Worsdall. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
L/Cpl J Alleshead (?)
L/Cpl H G Lengroave (?)
L/Cpl 8783 Fred Ollerhead
J Bisley
Pte 8429 William Brierley. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 8602 Ellis Herbert. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Chas H Hillou
Pte 8154 Wilfrid Hamptoon. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
j H Lees (?)
.Pte 8847 William Reeder. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 9094 Samuel Lucas. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 8793 Carlton Potts. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 8284 Robert Schofield Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 9433 Peter Taylor. Later 9th Bttn
T Tibton (?)
Price (?)
Possibly on Roll
Col Sgt 8509 Harry Davies
Cpl 8169 Richard Hamer. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Cpl 8406 Stanley Bird. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Cpl 8845 John Raynor. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
Pte 8980 Harold Wood. Later 13th & 9th Bttns.
I find it remarkable to see the number of original members of the Battalion, who had survived almost 4 years of the Great War. Private Robert Schofield and Samuel Lucas were with my Grandfather at Heaton Park in September 1914, as part of III Platoon. Their Second in Command from A Company had then been Edmund Fearenside. Robert encouraged his borther, Reuben to join them from the Lancs Fusils; to be killed at Montauban. I’ve followed the Battalion through the Centenary of hostilities and I’m pleased to see that some of the men survived, albeit, they had probably been wounded.
I now have a gap in my life for reporting events as they happended 100 years ago. I realise how fortunate I am and thank my Grandfather’s generation for what they gave.
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 