2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Henry Callan Macardle KIA 9th July 1916

2nd Lt. Kenneth Callan-Macardle. B Company, 17th Battalion Manchester Regiment. IWM HU37057

Born in Ireland, Kenneth Macardle was working for the Canadian Bank of Commerce in California at the outbreak of the war.  He left his post on 18th January 1915 and returned to join the 17th Manchester Regiment.  He had been employed by the Bank since February 1911.  He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 14th Bttn on 6th April 1915 and later took command of a Platoon in B Company.  He entered France on 2nd February 1916.

Kenneth was a committed diarist and his well composed notes provide a vivid and expressive view of the events on the opening days of the Battle of the Somme.

Regrettably, Kenneth was left behind in Trones Wood when the Battalion withdrew on 9th July.  His body was never found and he remains commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.

Kenneth’s diary provides a direct source for the events of 1st July and his prose has been a further catalyst for the commitment to record and present events on the Somme.  On visiting Thiepval, I have scanned the multitude of names of the lost men to identify the neatly carved name of my favourite diarist.  Here’s an extract:-

“We were relieved in a hurricane of shells. We trailed out wearily and crossed the battlefield down trenches choked with the dead of ourselves and our enemies – stiff, yellow and stinking – the agony of a violent death in their twisted fingers and drawn faces. There were arms and things on the parapets and in trees. Shell holes with 3 or 4 in them. The dawn came as we reached again the assembly trenches in Cambridge Copse. From there, we looked back at Montauban, the scene of our triumph, where we, the 17th Battalion, temporary soldiers and temporary officers every one that went in, had added another name to the honours on the colours of an old fighting regiment of the line – not the least of the honours on it.”

“A molten sun slid up over a plum coloured wood, on a mauve hill shading down to grey. In a vivid flaming sky, topaz clouds with golden edges floated, the tips of shell-stricken bare trees stood out over a sea of billowing white mist, the morning light was golden. We trudged wearily up the hill but not unhappy. All this world was ever dead to Vaudrey and Kenworthy, Clesham, Sproat, Ford and the other ranks we did not know how many. Vaudrey used to enjoy early morning parades. Clesham loved to hunt back in Africa when the veldt was shimmering with the birth of a day.”

Kenneth’s father, Sir Thomas Callan Macardle, K.B.E., D.L. was the Irish brewer and proprietor of Macardle-Moore & Company Ltd of Dundalk. Ireland.   Macardle was knighted (Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to the war effort, particularly in supplying grain and ale to the war effort. Kitchener Letter.  See http://soldiersofthequeen.com/blog/category/uncategorized/page/7/

Kenneth’s mother, Minnie Ross Macardle was English.  Her father, Lt. Col. James Clarke Ross had served in the Scots Greys. (courtesy Who’s Who)

Part of Minnie and Sir Thomas’ tragic loss is shown as their thoughts will have developed from hope to despair in their correspondence held in the Imperial War Museum – Catalogue P210.

Initially, Adjutant Major C L Macdonald wrote to Sir Thomas with a glimmer of hope and real admiration for Kenneth on 14th July.

“I regret very much too have to inform your son has been missing since the recent fighting in Trones Wood.  The wood changed hands…it is possible he was captured…it is impossible to build on this hope.  The wood was shelled so heavily…it was almost impossible for anyone to live in it….Whether captured or killed, he will be a very great loss to the regiment.  I assure you there is not a braver or more gallant officer living.  After the capture of Montauban, when the Battalion went back into action for the second time, your son, in spite of his junior rank, was put in Command of a Company [A Coy], and he handled his Company with great skill and dash…I shall miss him greatly…I had become very much attached to him…Whether alive or killed in action, I shall always be proud to have known him, and I assure you you may be very proud to have so gallant a son.”

Acting 17th Battalion Commanding Officer, Major J J Whitehead’s letter on 17th June gave a strong indication to Kenneth’s parents that he may have been captured by the Germans.

“…I saw him in the wood about 1.30pm and when I gave the order to withdraw…he failed to rejoin – this was about 3 pm.  I waited myself with a few men to cover his retirement, up to 5.15 pm, but as the enemy began to counter attack, can only assume that he was taken prisoner.  He was a most promising officer…I miss him very much indeed.”

The finality of Kenneth’s demise was concluded from one of Arthur Bell’s comrades in III Platoon, who had been captured with Lieutenant Humphrey.  The Red Cross Zurich wrote to Sir Thomas on 6th October with the report.  “…Communication from Private Arthur Watts, No 8941, A Comp.. 17^th Manchester Reg:-“I saw Lt. Macardle badly wounded in Trones Wood on 9^th July 1916, when I saw him I took him to be dead, as he had been lying on the top of the trench for 2 hours without moving but I could not say for certain if he was dead.” Signed Pte Arthur Watts, Prisoner of War at Dulmen.”  

Irish Independent 03 November 1916

The Macardles had four children including Kenneth and a daughter, Dorothy; who became a renowned Irish Republican author.  She was imprisoned on more than one occasion but – like her brother – continued to write in adversity.  The siblings may not have shared the same ideals if Kenneth had survived to discuss them. John Ross Macardle received an MC for service with the RFA. Donald joined the Army but was invalided.

2nd Lt. Kenneth Callan-Macardle Killed in action at Trones Wood 9th July 1916 IWM HU35936.

Thanks to George Johnson of MRF for identifying US employment.  Previous records suggest Kenneth was ‘Ranching’.  A comparison with cowboys and bankers would be more 21st Century. Letters from the front. Being a record of the p….

Also see Kenneth’s Obituary in the his School Roll Stonyhurst War Record

Kenneth’s brother John Ross Macardle received the Military Cross, serving with the Artillery.

Reflections on the Anniversary of World War I – 1914-2014

Five Historic Archives
Four French Deaths;
Three Shot at Dawn;
Two Football Games
and a Horse left in the German Wire.

The poppies in the Tower of London, my family visit to the Warhorse show and BBC’s Our World War series have provided a resounding success in recognising the anniversary of the Great War. As a WWI researcher, it’s been easy to find fault in publications or programmes. In an effort to avoid being sniffy, I concluded that it was best to accept the spirit on these media and appreciate that the current generation of British people are engaging with the subject on numerous levels. This piece reflects on the direction of the media’s presentation.
The buffeting from crowds of people walking through the City of London on a Saturday afternoon in November confirmed our society’s continuing recognition of the War. I visited with one of my daughters to see Alfred Ridge’s Poppy in the sea of 888,246 and I imagine other people had their own agendas, or were solely spectators. As a football fan, I know the common spirit of a crowd – or indeed a mob – and found

Alfred Ridge – Harlebeke New British Cemetery

the effervescent Poppy experience unforgettable.
Further unreserved Anniversary success was the digitisation of records and fresh publication on line. Archive material from numerous sources can now be accessed at relatively low cost. Highlights for 17th Manchesters research in 2014 have been Red Cross Prisoner of War ICRC Digitised Records War Office Medal Rolls; Soldiers Wills for some men; War Diaries at the National Archive; extended data available on the Commonwealth War Grave Commission CWGC site.
As we approach the second year of Centenary and anticipating the Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in July 2016, some reservations are developing.
The first is the romanticisation or of war. The remarkable story of the 1914 Christmas truce have been lost to popularisation of the media’s obsession with football – particularly the controversial Sainsbury’s advert and factually incorrect dreams. No confirmed sources indicate there was any pretence of a match between German and British troops. There was a kick-about in at least two locations, but the shaking of hands, sharing food & drink and genuine shared experience of a temporary peace are the principle issues that should be remembered.
The second concern is the application of 2014 moral values on our ancestors. I watched the Private Peaceful play with my family and found the presentation of war horrors to be well balanced with the plot associated with a Shot at Dawn (SaD) case. The engagement of the audience was remarkable for itself, but particularly with the number of Primary School age children and teenagers who were engaged throughout.
Regrettably SaD cases seem to be highlighted in every other media opportunity e.g. The Village & Our World War. I accept this is an issue for moral interpretation and I have specific regret and sadness for the three men of the 18th Manchesters who were executed for cowardice. However I feel this 2014 moral question now eclipses the principal issues of hostilities. My grandfather was wounded leaving the same trenches, on the day one of the 18th Battalion SaD men absented himself from duty at Flers. Rather than judging the SaD morality, I always feel the slaughter of hundreds of men on that day may have been a little more significant at the time. Let’s also remember 8135 Harry Evans who was killed that day, along with Grandfather’s School friend 8132 Leonard Edmondson; his neighbour 8241 Alec Mitchell and 8474 Hubert Craig who had served in III Platoon with Grandad since 1914 Anniversary 12th October 1916. I realise the personal connection with these casualties relates to a specific private interest. However, I see no media reflection on the scale of casualties.
Thankfully the troops returning from Afghanistan are contributing to a clear media presentation of the true factors of warfare and the recent casualties in our immediate consciousness. Kajaki is shocking, heart-warming but painful to watch, and should be compulsory viewing for GCSE students – particularly those considering a career in politics.
There seems to be no equivalent presentation of WWI. There may be a inadvertent conspiracy to focus on palatable issues or politically correct questions at cost of avoiding the enormity and horror of trench warfare. I have seen some incredibly vivid photographs of dead soldiers in the Western Front. My choice to avoid publishing may be missing some very moving material out of respect for the men concerned. However I reflect on the prospect that I’m also making the unpalatable nature of warfare more accessible.
Not wishing to be getting ahead of the media, here’s thoughts on four deaths on the Somme recounted by Scout Sergeant Bert Payne in his interviews with Lyn E Smith. Payne James Albert IWM interview In an effort to portray a more comprehensive picture, these events are now added to the static content on the site.
Bert served in the 16th Manchesters in Maricourt and was wounded in the First Day of the Somme at Montauban. These places and events are almost the same as the experiences of the 17th Battalion.
Bert first describes the uncomfortable delay in recovering the body of Corporal Pickering after he had been blown out of an Observation Point onto the wire near Maricourt. He then reported the losses in the advance Montauban. “I had a boy with me…out of school for six weeks…He said ‘…I’ve arrived today’ I said ‘Hang on to me.’…He was killed. Shot down next to me”
Bert Payne was wounded in the last dash up into the village. He was hit in the face by enfilade machine gun fire “There was a big shell hole full of dead and dying and blinded. It seemed to me to be a tall man got it through the jaw. A shorter man got it through the eyes.” After recovering consciousness Bert made a temporary dressing for his wound and made his way to the rear with Corporal Bill Brock, who had been shot through the foot.
On the way back over the hard fought battlefield, Bert and Bill came across a British Soldier with terrible wounds. “ A shell had come over and hit this man. Knocked off his left arm. Knocked off his left leg. His left eye was hanging on his cheek and he was calling out for Annie… So I shot him… But it hurt me. …He was just anybody’s boy. He was calling out for Annie…His eye was hanging out pulsing. I had to shoot him… Nobody could have done anything for him. He would have died in any case. I had the courage to do it.”
Later in the interview Bert mentions his repeated thoughts about his part in the death of the young man. It clearly made a deep impression on him and probably contributed to his response to a captured German Medical Officer he came across soon after. I asked this Doctor to bind the Corporal’s foot up and he wouldn’t. I told to do it or I’d shoot him…he said ‘Blame your own government.’ He refused to bind his foot so I shot him.”
These four deaths are not comfortable to address and any interpretation relate to the complete picture and context of hostilities. Following the confused assessment of a kick about at Christmas it may be best to leave the matter for personal interpretation and not the media. However, at the end of this Anniversary year, we will must not forget unpalatable aspects of death and maiming. The generation of men that returned mainly chose not to speak about their experiences. Thanks to Bert Payne and Arthur Bell we do have some first-hand experience that we can hear. Let’s hope the media don’t fail to listen.

Notes
6330 James Albert Payne went on to live a full life being interviewed in his 94 year. After a long period of recovery he worked then worked in a Military Hospital and was discharged with a Silver War Badge in March 1918, aged 24. Bert has been one of the first to enlist in the Pals in August 1914.
Two brothers Horace and Reginald Pickering had enlisted in August 1914 and served together. Lance Corporal Horace Pickering was killed in May 1916. One can imagine the anguish of his friends and brother when Horace’s body remained above their trench, but unavailable until nightfall. Horace was buried alongside Lance Corporal Charles Johnston-who had been killed in the same bombardment- in Maricourt Military Cemetery. Their remains were relocated to Cerisey-Gailly in 1920. Brother Reg had been a singer and entertained the troops with his tenor voice. He was later wounded and returned Home, where he looked for work in music.
William Priestley Brock later transferred to the Labour Corps where he was transferred fit to reserve in March 1919.

16th Bttn IX Platoon including William Priestley Brock for his grandaughter Anne Wakefield (nee Brock)

Ernest McNamara 18th Battalion

18th Bttn C Coy IX Pln – Book of Honour

Ernest McNamara was killed in action at Montauban on 1st July 1916. His great niece introduced herself on the GUEST BOOK and asked if there may be further information on Ernest and his brother Arthur.

For Anne Warn these pages from the City Battalions Roll of Honour show Ernest in IX Platoon of C Company.  If Anne has a portrait of him, it would be great if you could identify the man in photo.  For other possible records, I firmly recommend asking the experts on The Manchester Regiment Group Forum.

18th Bttn IX Pln Roll of Honour

The Manchesters website includes painstaking research of the men from the Regiment reported killed on 1st July 1916 and included in the 1st Anniversary of the Somme 1st July 1917 edition of the Manchester Evening News.  These entries were made for Ernest and include a reference to Arthur:-

McNAMARA – In loving memory of our dear brother
ERNEST (10555) Manchester Regiment (3rd Pals), killed
in action July 1st, 1916.
ROBERT, SUSIE, and ARTHUR (in France).

The Roll of Honour includes an entry to an E McNamara who enlisted in the City Battalions as part of the group system.   It is quite likely Ernest worked for Horrockses Crewdson & Co Ltd

I’ll have a scout around some other resources and add to this post if I find anything more.

I heard the Last Post from a bugler at Thiepval Memorial yesterday morning.  This is where Anne will see Ernest’s name inscribed in the stone panel.  We’re off to Ypres today where I will see Arthur’s name at Tyne Cot and my Grandad’s cousin at Harlebeke.

 

WW1 ‘Bomber’ Training

Rifle Grenade Training © IWM (Q 5355)

This site concerns a member of the Manchester Pals who received specialist training as a bomber Early Days in France .  Arthur Bell received training in a variety infantry grenades – or bombs.  He also actively used bombs in the survival of his detachment at Triangle Point Montauban   “Major Macdonald recorded “ At 3.15am on 2 July the detached post in Montauban Alley near Triangle Point was attacked and bombed out. They held out until their supply of bombs was exhausted, and then endeavoured to retire.”  Arthur probably also used his bomber training  at Guillemont.

I’ve selected a range of images from the IWM archive to add to the site.  Cover image Art.IWM PST 12993.

© IWM (Q 35418) Bomber Training

German Bombers © IWM (Q 55005)

Montauban to Longueval and Delville Wood – taken from a helicopter July 2012

Great photo courtesy of http://jeremybanning.co.uk/.  The rolling chalk hills and dense woodland has changed little from 1914 – although the villages were flattened by artillery fire and woods became a mass of splintered timber during hostilities.

I’m showing Jeremy’s picture to show the beautiful wide horizons and ‘big’ sky; similar to David Hockney’s paintings of the Yorkshire Wolds.  Back on track, the corner of Bernafay Wood can be seen on the right of the image.  The trench of Montauban Alley extended to the Wood, across the first fields beyond trees at the edge of the village.  The 16th Manchesters occupied Montauban Alley on the 1st/2nd July and the 17th Manchesters occupied Triangle Point, slightly to the left of the view.  This was the point of the furthest sustained advance by the British IVth Army on the first day of the Somme.

The area beyond Montauban towards Longueval is infamous for the ferocious battles that took place in mid-July, particularly those concerning the South African Infantry, which was almost wiped out in the area shown in this image. South African forces in the British Army of 1914-1918

Contemporary Photos of the Somme.

Thanks to Jeremy Banning | Military Historian | First World War Research | School Workshops | Lectures for the use of the photos from his twitter feed @jbanningww1.

I will add some choice shots into my static pages over time, starting with this view of a beautiful sunrise looking east towards Bernafay Wood from the Maricourt – Longueval Road, near the site of the Briqueterie.  This particular area was taken by the Liverpool Pals on 1st July.  However, one can imagine the stragglers returning from Triangle Point having a similar view in the early morning of 3rd July 1916.  The Big Push – Montauban

In the words of 2nd Lieutenant Kenneth Callan Macardle:-

“A molten sun slid up over a plum coloured wood, on a mauve hill shading down to grey. In a vivid flaming sky, topaz clouds with golden edges floated, the tips of shell-stricken bare trees stood out over a sea of billowing white mist, the morning light was golden.”

Sunrise looking from Briqueterie to Bernafay Wood. Courtesy jeremybanning.co.uk

1st July 1916 Anniversary – Officers

B Company’s 2^nd Lieutenant Callan-Macardle’s diary entry summed up the loss of his 17^th Battalion

Capt. R. Ford. OC A Coy.

 

Reginald Ford Courtesy Elizabeth Wood – St Bees Roll of Honour

Officer colleagues at Montauban.

“All this world was ever dead to Vaudrey and Kenworthy, Clesham, Sproat, Ford and the other ranks we did not know how many. Vaudrey used to enjoy early morning parades. Clesham loved to hunt back in Africa

when the veldt was shimmering with the birth of a day.”

Notes compiled with the help of numerous people, particular the Manchesters Forum.

The Commanding Officer of 17^th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson had been wounded in the attack on Montauban on 1^st July 1916.

Many of his fellow officers were less fortunate.

A Company OC, Captain Ford was wounded near the German front line and died of wounds the next day.  Former Master of St. Bees, Cumberland, Reginald James Ford was 28 when he died.  His father, F J Ford, lived at 30 Warwick Street, Oxford.   He is buried at Dantzig Alley Cemetery near Mametz.

With thanks to Dr Tony Reeve of St Bees, we have the following entry in the St Bees School Roll of Honour:-

“Capt. R. J. Ford who was killed in action near Montauban on July 1, 1919, was captain of a gallant Manchester Regiment for which he helped to win undying fame by the fresh vigour and splendid originality it set up as an example to the formations of the British Army.  His work began in the choir school of Queen’s College, Oxford, then as the College itself, and then he came as a master to St Bees.  Here his development came rapidly, and when, one by one, masters were called off from varied duties to fulfil the privilege of this generation, it was Ford who took up their work in the Science School, in the charge of the Foundation, and of the O.T.C., until his own call came and he too went as cheerfully as to any privileged office.”

Capt.S Kenworthy. OC D Coy.

Apart from the A Company Officers’ deaths,  Captain Stanley Kenworthy had died in the assault.  As a former pupil of St Bees, it is poignant Stanley’s last resting place is also Dantzig Alley, with former St Bees Master, Captain Ford.  Stanley was 32 when he died and left behind his mother Dinah T Kenworthy and father John Dalziel Kenworthy, of Seacroft, St. Bees, Cumberland.

Capt. N. Vaudrey. OC B Coy.

 

Norman Vaudrey Courtesy MRF

Captain Norman Vaudrey is the third 17^th Battalion Officer at Dantzig Alley.   Norman was the son of Sir William and Lady Vaudrey, of 33, Mount Avenue, Ealing, London.  He was Born in Eccles and 33 when he was killed at Glatz Redoubt during the assault on Montauban.  Norman Vaudrey is also commemorated in Buxton see  Buxton War Memorial.  The Army List shows Norman was posted to the Battalion on 28th September 1914.

This includes a letter from Major Whitehead:-

Briefly, the 16th and 17th Battalions were in the firing line, and having passed over the German trenches were advancing on a village about 600 yard in rear when the first Company (‘A’ Company) was momentarily held up. Captain Vaudrey, commanding the second Company, went forward to ascertain the cause of the halt in advance when he was hit in the stomach by a bullet from a German machine gun, and died in 30 seconds in the arms of a Sergeant who was himself killed later.

Manchester Evening News 8/7/16. Thanks to Atherton of MRF

 

Dantzig Alley Cemetery. Courtesy CWGC

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery now contains 2,053 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 518 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 17 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials record the names of 71 casualties buried in other cemeteries, whose graves were destroyed by shell fire. (Courtesy CWGC).  Geoff of http://www.hut-six.co.uk/cgi-bin/search1421.php has assessed that Dantzig Alley has more graves for 1st July casualties than any other cemetery.

Two 17^th Battalion subalterns were killed in the assault; one of which was probably acting OC of Arthur Bell’s III Platoon.  Gerald Sproat and Thomas Henry Clesham have no known grave.  It is possible that some other men from the Platoon are amongst the ‘Unknown Soldier’ graves at Dantzig Alley, but none have identified resting places.  The remainder of are commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. 

Lt G M Sproat

 

MEN 12/7/1916 Courtesy British Library

Twenty two year old

Lt Sproat’s Collar Tags (c) James Scotney

Lieutenant Gerald Maitland Sproat had been attached to 17^th Battalion from the 11^th Manchesters, with whom he had been wounded in the landings at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli on 6/7th August 1915. The Army List shows he was posted to 11th Battalion on 29th September 1914. Kenneth Callan-MacCardle’s diary reported that he was blown up in the attack.  Gerald was the son of a solicitor, Thomas Sproat and Mary Caroline, of 1, Rock Park, Rock Ferry, Cheshire.  He had attended Winchester School and Magdalen College, Oxford, graduating in 1912.  Gerald’s younger brother James survived the Montauban assault as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 17th Kings Liverpool Regiment.  James was killed by artillery fire at Trones Wood on 11th July.  He was an alumni of Rugby school attending at the same time as Alan Holt.

Thomas Henry Clesham

The Thiepval Memorial database suggests evidence that 2^nd Lieutenant Clesham “…fell when just as led his men over the parapet and was killed instantly.”  This correlates with Thomas being OC of III Platoon in the Montauban assault as described by Arthur Bell.   “The first casualty I remember was our Platoon officer, we were in artillery formation and he was leading – but I do not think he could have been sniped, unless by some very clever German trickery.  Anyhow, he just go it in the head with one leg off the ground, and must have died that instant.”

The database also says “He was a splendid type of officer and beloved by his comrades. Reported buried in the vicinity of Maricourt” This information would be consistent with a letter to may have been written to Thomas’ family after his death.

He had previously served in South Africa with the Natal Light Horse at the outbreak of hostilities.  His mother Isabella (nee Mckeown) and father, Reverend Timothy Clesham had lived in County Mayo, Ireland.  Rev Clesham has died in 1894.  34 year old Thomas left his Estate to his mother Isabella.  The passenger list for Thomas Clesham’s passage on the Balmoral Castle from Southampton to Cape Town in 1912 identifies him as a dentist.  An earlier voyage from Southampton to Cape Town has also been identified in 1907.  A return journey on the Balmoral Castle on 2nd June 1915 indicates Thomas was an engineer from Transvaal.  The Thiepval Database indicates he Graduated at Trinity College, Dublin and worked in the mining fields of S Africa.  Thomas is included on Portora Great War Memorial in Enniskillen, Portora Royal School, Fermanagh. He is also included on the memorial of the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa Great War Memorial.  Thomas had joined the Society in April 1911, employed by Simmer East Limited, as a sampler.

 

WK-Orford – Courtesy Winchester College

2nd Lt William Kirkpatrick Orford 17th Bttn Att 90th Bgd TMB. Born Prestwich 14/5/1895. Educated Winchester (OTC) & entered Clare College, Cambridge in 1913. Enlisted in 20th PSB Bttn 7/9/1914.  Commissioned General List 4/1/1915 and posted to 17th Bttn 11th January 1915.  2nd Lt C Coy when Bttn arrived in France, November 1915. Killed in Action with 90th TMB, 1st July 1916, aged 21.

For profiles of the NCOs and men that died at Montauban, see Anniversary 1st July 1916 III Platoon Men.

For the details of the 1st July 1916 action, see The Big Push – Montauban.

Section of Panel 13C at Thiepval Memorial

Lt Sproat’s Collar Tags (c) James Scotney

Anniversary 1st July 1916 – III Platoon Men

This memorial was unveiled on 1st July 1994 by Major General Peter Davies, Colonel of the King’s Regiment.  Written in French and English, the memorial remembers the men of the Manchester and Kings Liverpool Regiment who successfully assaulted the village with their comrades of the 30th Division on the first day of the battle of the Somme. This was a one of the few gains made on what is now recognised as one of the most disastrous days of British military history.  350 men from the 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment died on 1st July, including seven men from Arthur Bell’s III Platoon.  These men (and the men who had joined III Platoon by 1st July) have no known grave and are commemorated at  Thiepval Memorial

Sgt. Mark Jackson MEN 17/7/1916. © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Sergeant Mark Jackson 8197 (not on III Platoon Roll, but transferred by 1st July) had been sniped as the Platoon made their way through Montauban.  25 year old Sergeant Jackson was previously working as a shipping clerk with Messrs Delaney & Co. and living with his aunt Elizabeth at 54 Edward Street, Broughton. Mark was connected with St. Simon’s Church, Salford and assisted with the school football team. Mark’s brother John and Aunt administered his effects.

Sgt James Turner – 17th III Platoon Book of Honour

Sergeant James D Turner 8903 was the second Sergeant from III Platoon to be killed in action

Sgt. James Turner MEN 17.7.1916 © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

on the 1^st July.  The Salford Reporter* recounted a letter received by James’ wife from another man in his Platoon.  This indicated he was reviewing sentry positions in Montauban when he was killed by a German shell; the shell also wounded one other man.

Sergeant Turner had worked at Messrs. Haslams, Piccadily and lived at 15 Allen Street, Lower Broughton, Salford – in the same Salford suburb as Mark Jackson.  Aged 35, James left behind his widow Elizabeth and Daughter Marjorie.    Elizabeth and other family members commemorated James in the 1^st anniversary edition of the Manchester Evening News.  Elizabeth wrote:-

“My memory often wanders, as the shadows fall,

Back to the days of happiness. Days beyond recall

Bravely he fought and fell.”

 

Sergeant Turner’s brother and sister in law, Sarah and Jack, also provided a poetic tribute:-

“In silent hours we think of you

And of all your pain

But in the land that no sorrow comes,

We hope to meet again.”

James was an accomplished musician and member of the Central Hall Prize Band.  He was also a member of Swan Swimming Club.  As Arthur Bell was also a swimmer, it is possible the two men may have competed with, or against each other.

James is commemorated at Thiepval and the family plot at Philips Park where his parents and brothers are buried.

*Courtesy SWARM

Amos PA Rochdale Observer 29.7.1916 © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Sergeant Percy Amos 8047.  Percy had joined the Pals, with the majority of 17^th Battalion on 2^nd September 1914, as a Private.  He was a 33 year old engineering draughtsman from Co-Op Wholesale Society, Architects Department when he enlisted on 2nd September 1914.  His maturity must have been recognised and he was swiftly promoted to Lance Corporal on 17th September through the rank of Corporal on 7/1/1915, Lance Sergeant on 23/8/1915 to Sergeant on 1^st September 1915.  The Roll of Honour lists Percy as a Corporal when the Platoon photograph was taken and it is possible he had transferred to another Platoon by July 1916. Percy had been born in Colchester, Essex and lived at Woodleigh, Western Road, Flixton before he attested.  Press reports show Percy had lectured in corn miling at Rochdale Technical School and previously worked for Thomas Robinson & Son of Rochdale.  His mother, Annie Elizabeth and father, Charles W. Amos, lived in Ipswich with their remaining family.  Percy’s sister Mabel was executor to his will showing a significant estate of £860 8s. 10d.  Percy is remembered at Flixton Parish, St. Michael’s, Flixton, Co-operative Wholesale Society War Memorial and Manchester Technical College Memorials.

MEN 17/7/1916 © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Courtesy http://www.peterthomp.co.uk

The junior NCOs from III Platoon also had significant losses.  Yorkshire man, 8170 Corporal Sidney Birks Hare was killed in action in the Montauban assault.  Sidney had worked for Holmes, Terry & Co at 65 High Street, Manchester, selling clothing and textile products.  He was the only son of Samuel (an Agent for Great Eastern Railway Company in Bradford) & Mary Hannah Hare of Pudsey, near Leeds (later 4 Valley View, Otley) and educated at Hanson School, Bradford. Sidney lived at Whaley Bridge, Derbys. with his uncle, who was a local Councillor.  Sidney is commemorated at Thiepval, Pudsey Cenotaph  and Whaley Bridge.  Corporal Hare was 30 years old when he was killed in action.  He left his Estate to his father.

Lance Corporal James Thomson 8901 was another Private who had earned promotion by 1^st July.  Lance Corporal Thomson was killed in the Montauban assault, aged 28.  He left behind his wife Mary Jane Thomson, known as Polly, at 32 Bradshaw Street, Moss Side. James had worked at Hans Reynolds in Burnage before the war.  His mother Rosehannah and father William had two other sons – Fred and Sam –  in France when the 1^st Anniversary notices were published.  Polly Thomson’s brother Will Pegg was also in France

MEN 15/7/1916

when she wrote for in memory of her husband:-

“I can never forget him, I loved him too dearly

For his memory to fade from my mind like a dream:

The lips need not speak when the heart mourns

sincerely.

For thoughts often dwell where they seldom are seen.

From earthly care to heavenly rest.”

MEN 17/7/1916 © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Private Walter Frederick Scott 8856 was 19 years old when he died.  His parents, Arthur and Julia lived at 70 Derby Street, Moss Side.  Arthur received his sons effects. Walter had been employed at Stott & Sons architects. It’s possible it is Walter who is commemorated at St Clement’s church Memorial, Chorlton cum Hardy

Lance Corporal Arthur Edward Bennett 8392 had been born in Denver, Colorado.  As part of the 17^th Battalion Machine Gun Section, Arthur had been promoted Lance Corporal.  He was killed in action on 1^st July 1916, aged 21.   Arthur’s family lived at 2 Mount Pleasant Square, Salford and in 1911 he had been a shippers clerk. His father, William Henry received his effects.  It is possible Arthur Bell’s recollection is mistaken in relation to the survival of the cheeky American who had called out at the pretty mother as they were marching through Manchester “I wish I was that goldurned dawg.” .  No other American born men have been identified in the Platoon. An A Bennett from the Manchesters is included in this memorial:- St Philip with St Stephen – Salford War Memorials.  Arthur is also commemorated on the family grave at Weaste Cemetry.  Two other brothers were serving by 1916. Private Henry Samuel Bennett 19715 had trained with XV Platoon of 21st Battalion.  He had been wounded and was being treated in Hospital in Cranleigh, Surrey when Arthur’s loss was reported. Henry was later transferred to the Labour Corps and discharged in 1919.

Private Joe Clark 8472 was born in Newark, Notts and the son of Frederick and Agnes Jeanette Clark of 115 Chapel Street, Salford.  He had been a warehouseman when he enlisted on 3rd September 1914, aged 19.  His address seems to have been 17 Cheltenham, Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock.  He had two brothers; Fred & Peter and a sister, Dorothy.  The Casualty Report confirms Joe was killed at Montauban on 1st or 2nd July 1916. A further fatality at Montauban was Arthur Bell’s school friend

Emerys Edwards 9033, who may have been known as Polly.  Emerys, of C Company, was killed in action on 1^st July 1916 and is commemorated at Thiepval.  The CWGC records show his widowed mother Anne Edwards living at 7, Delamere Avenue, Pendleton, Manchester. Emerys had lived at 25 York Street, Broughton.  He had been employed as a yarn agent by J Dilworth & Sons, where he had been since leaving school.  Emerys was a member of St.Pauls Football Club in Kersal and worshiped at Pendleton Welsh Chapel

“…there’s some corner of a foreign field that is forever England” Thanks to members of the Manchesters Forum and Great War Forum for help in compiling these profiles. For further details of this  – necessarily  limited part of an important day in British, Commonwealth & European history –  see The Big Push – Montauban For details of the Officers of 17th Battalion that lost their lives, see 1st July 1916 Anniversary – Officers The photograph was taken on the 90th Anniversary when three generations of Arthur Bell’s family were visiting along with some other Manchester Regiment enthusiasts. Should visitors have further details of any of the men who died at Montauban, please leave a comment. * North East War Memorials Project

Montauban Panoramic Photographs

I’ve just found some wonderful panoramic photos this site Montauban. John Hamill has followed my trails from Maricourt to Montauban, but takes much better pictures than me!

Photos C. and D. show great images of the area of the 90th Brigade assault.  I am asking for approval to superimpose the line of advance.  The Big Push – Montauban | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme

Photo I. shows the view from Caterpillar Valley up towards Montauban from Quarry Cemetery.  Triangle Point Montauban 2006 | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme. is at the brow of the hill where the road is elevated out of view.
This was the line of the counter-attack by Michael Meyer and the 16th Bavarian Infantry. Remembering – Michael Maier. German Counter-Attack on Montauban 2nd July 1916 | 17th Manchester Regiment on the Somme

Fingers Crossed that John may allow me to use his photos.

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90th Brigade Padre Robert Balleine

Rev Balleine

Balleine MEN 14.2.1916

This chap found some eggs for the 17th Manchesters on 3rd July 1916 when the remains of the Battalion were relieved from Montauban.  Records show he spent most of the time with 16th Battalion.  He also spent time away from the front – notably dining at the Godbert in Amiens (Lt. Nash’s Diary).  After the war Rev.  Balleine became the rector of St. Crispins – sometimes the patron saint of martyrs.  St Crispin’s day notably falls on 25th October; the date of the Battle of Agincourt.  Shakespere also wrote the St Crispin’s day speech for Henry V “…the fewer men, the greater share of honour…”

The men clearly had respect for the Padre as recorded in the local paper.

Rev. Balleine’s former home

The photo shows the Balleine brothers as Rector and Parish Curate alongside the Bishop of Manchester.  Their father was the Bishop of Jersey.  See Museum of the Manchester Regiment | The Men Behind the Medals

Rev Balleine Courtesy St Crispins Church Fallowfield

The family funded the development of a new vicarage and the brothers lived there with their sister.  A new church was developed following fundraising efforts.  This was designed by Hubert Worthington from B Company of 17th Manchesters.

Hubert named his son Crispin, at the time he was working on the church project*.  Crispin Worthington then went on to design a new stained glass window when he was a young architect.  This shows a shoe and boot reflecting the more benign patronage of St Crispin to cobblers and leather workers.

Courtesy Ian Fair

* Thanks to Captain Robert Bonner for information on Crispin Worthington. Both men were commissioned in the Manchester Regiment.  Crispin was 5 Platoon Commander in Kroh.

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