The research on the 17th Manchester has created a number of Eureka moments where new information is identified to complete a jigsaw or some particularly interesting anecdote jumps out of the blue. For any other people researching their relative’s Service, you never know what you may find! I am hoping to add to the following highlights.
THE STEEL HELMET
Steel Helmet – Courtesy Roger Bell
Receiving Arthur Bell’s notes from cousin Roger is probably number one in the Hit Parade. Extracts of Grandad’s notes entitled The Steel Helmet form the spine of the journal contained in the static pages of this site. THE STEEL HELMET | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme.
IWM RECORDING OF GRANDAD
The Imperial War Museum Recording of Arthur Bell and Martin Middlebrook in 1976 was a revelation. The Radio 4 interview is subject to BBC Copyright which means I cannot post the audio file. It is wonderful for the grandchildren to hear grandad’s voice as a distant childhood memories. Arthur’s son and daughter had even deeper reactions.recording (13672).
III PLATOON FAMILY MEMBERS
Sergeant Chandler. Courtesy A. Chandler
Making contact with the great grandson of Arthur Bell’s original Platoon Sergeant, Frank Chandler provides a wholesome continuity; particularly in the context of the 2014 Centenary. Andrew Chandler’s transcript of his great grandfather’s interview provides a wonderful tale about the 2nd City Battalion’s original Regimental Sergeant Major stopping in every pub on the first march out to Heaton Park in September 1914. The full story of this remarkable pub crawl is shown here Enlistment | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme.
2nd Lieutenant Ralph Miller is anticipated to have been in command of III Platoon at Trones Wood. He and Arthur Bell went out to recover their wounded Sergant Major. Ralph was later Killed at Guillemont Anniversary 30th/31st July 1916 Ralph’s niece has visited the site via the GUEST BOOK and its clear the reports on her Uncle are helpful. It’s gratifying that this work helps remember some of the men.
PRIVATE ALBERT HURST RECORDING
IWM interview (11582). This was really helpful to provide some new details of the 17th Battalion, particularly the assault on Trones Wood, where Albert was wounded. Extracts of Albert’s interview are in Trones Wood | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme.
SOUTH AFRICAN DIARY CORRESPONDING TO ARTHUR BELL’S NOTES
It may be fanciful to surmise events recorded by Private Walter Giddy of the
Pt. Vernon Edkins – 2nd South African Infantry.
2nd South African Infantry correspond with Arthur Bell’s ‘Steel Helmet’ Journal. It is certainly a pleasant idea, particularly now I have made contact with Iris Howe, the great niece of Vernon Edkins; who may have helped my Grandad carry the stretcher of a wounded Sergeant Major during the battle for Trones Wood. South African Infantry helping Manchesters at Trones Wood | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme.
FIELD ARTILLERY SUPPORT AT GUILLEMONT
IWM Q 4066
We surmise this photo showing artillery near Montauban shows 18 Pounders supporting the 90th Brigade assault on Guillemont. Artillery Support 30th July 1916 | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme
DISCOVERING RELATIVES
The patriotic fervor and sense of duty that encouraged Arthur Bell to enlist also applied to his extended family. Current research indicates all Arthur’s relatives survived. However, the absent men from one family help us envisage the impact on the Home Front in the City of Manchester. Other families suffered greater loss.
Ordinary Seaman Richard Douglas Bell J49456 HMS Active. Arthur’s brother Douglas, who served in the Royal Navy at the Battle of Jutland.
Private Herbert William Vernon 8923, B Company – 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment. Brother in law – Sister Dorothy’s husband.
Private Harold M. Brown 3929 6th Battalion Manchester Regiment Future Brother in Law. Wife Alice’s elder brother.
James Frederick Bell 6957 – D Company – 16th Battalion Manchester Regiment Cousin. Father’s brother’s son.
Lewis Andrew Foulkes 377293 and Frederick Foulkes 304004 Manchester Regiment Cousins. Father’s sister’s sons.
Ernest Ridge 17417 20th Battalion and Royal Navy. Mother’s sister’s son, serving 54 days before discharge due to sickness. Subsequently served in Navy including HMS Caledonia.
Cyril Grindley Donnison – 69th Training Reserve & 9th Essex. Mother’s sister’s son.
Frank Percival of 24th Battalion was Arthur Bell’s daughter in law’s great uncle.
More to follow…. In the interim here’s some photos of a Western Front trip with the next generation Somme Tour
New sources welcome. Please feel free to comment on any part of the site.
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 
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