III Platoon, A Company
The most senior NCO, from III Platoon to have died at Trones Wood, was Sergeant Louis Linney 8705. Born in Failsworth, Louis was living at Clayton Bridge before he enlisted and worked at Haslams Limited. He was 28 when he died, having been promoted through the ranks from Lance Corporal in the Heaton Park Roll and Corporal by 8/11/1915 when he arrived in France. Louis’ elder brother James administered his effects. Their parents Martha and Samuel had eleven children and brought them up in Newton Heath. In 1911, Louis had been a cloth salesman living with his sister Margaret and brother in law, Ernest Bates in Clayton Bridge (see MEN). Louis is commemorated at Thiepval and All Saint’s Church, Newton Heath, War Memorial Screen. This memorial also commemorates Louis’ brother Frederick Linney who served with RGA and died at Home in 1920.
Amongst the other casualties of III Platoon was, former Lance Corporal Stephen Broadmeadow 8084, who had been out drinking with Arthur Bell in Grantham, during their stay at Belton Park. Following promotion to Lance Sergeant, he was Killed in Action at Trones Wood on 10th July 1916, aged 31. Stephen is commemorated on Memorials at Sale Rugby Club and Sale United Church. Courtesy Trafford War Dead . Stephen left his effects to his father Joseph. He had been born in Moss Side and educated at St Margaret’s School Whalley Range and then St Mary’s School, Ashton on Mersey.
Lance Corporal F. Thomas Barnett 8387 was another NCO killed at Trones Wood. Initially recorded as missing, his death was presumed in the Register of Effects, which shows his father, Horatio as recipient. Aged 29, Thomas had been born in Lower Broughton. He was one of the 1,080 members of the Adelphi Lads Club, Salford, to have served in the War. Resources – Salford War Memorials. In 1911, Thomas had lived with his mother, Esther Ann, father and four sisters at 5 Lawn Street, Lower Broughton. He was then employed as a clerk in a cotton manufacturers.
Also Missing from III Platoon at Trones Wood was 8364 Private Walter Ashton. Once again the Register of Effects later presumed Walter’s death. His father, Benjamin received his effects. Before the war, Walter had worked as a pawnbroker’s assistant and resident in Stalybridge. The Ashton family lived at 259 High Street in 1911. He had been a member of Foundry St Primitive Methodist Church Memorial Roll Dukinfield and is named on Chapel Hill Memorial and the Baptist Church Memorial.
A second Private to have lost his life at Trones Wood was 8703 John Law..John had been born in St James Parish in Salford. John’s Will shows he was married to Agnes Geneva Law and lived at Cornet Street, Higher Broughton in Salford. John had been a boarder at Agnes’ home for the 1911 Census and the couple married later that year. His father, Christopher issued a Memorial note in the M.E.N. from his home at 10 Kimberley Street, Higher Broughton “One of the first to answer duty’s call; For the land he loved he gave his all“, The article indicated John was killed instantly by a shell while carrying his his duty as a despatch runner. John is commemorated at St James Church, Higher Broughton. The Salford Advertiser of 12/08/1916 indicates John was employed by David Midgley & Sons Ltd, Princess Street, enlisting with Robert Schofield – who survived hostilities. The article also quotes a letter from Adjutant, Major MacDonald to Christopher Law explaining the importance of John’s role as a Headquarters Section dispatch runner and describing him as “…cheerful in the most trying circumstances…”.
Law J 2 Credit Ken Holmes 
Law J 1 Credit Ken Holmes 
David Midgley & Sons Ltd – R Schofield & J Law 
John Law Will 3 
John Law Will 1
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 