In view of the developing volume and depth of information that is available on digital records the 17th Battalion losses are considered as:-
Wounded All Ranks
Prisoners of War – Three men from III Platoon. See The Cost & Sgt Norman Crichton, PoW treatment
By necessity it is not possible to verify all records and some records are incomplete, especially information on wounded members of the Battalion. These omissions should be reduced as more information is obtained.
Below is a summary of men from 17th Battalion, identified by CWGC as dying between 8th and 29th July. Inevitably some of these men will have died of wounds received in the Montauban battle or earlier engagements / illness. The majority will relate casualties at Trones Wood on 9th / 10th July 1916.
ASHTON WALTER 10/07/1916 Private ‘8364’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Pawnbroker’s Assistant. Trained III Pln, A Coy. France 08/1915. Missing A Coy, presumed dead. Effects left to father, Benjamin, at 26 Long Row, Buckton Vale, Stalybridge and later 50 Town Lane, Dukinfield until his death in June 1921. Commemorated on Foundry St Primitive Methodist Church Memorial Roll Dukinfield and is named on Chapel Hill Memorial and the Baptist Church Memorial.
BAMFORD GERALD 10/07/1916 Serjeant ‘8398’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Husband of Elsie Bamford of 11 Dorset Road, Levenshulme. Employee of Finlay, Campbell & Co. Enlisted 03/09/1914. Trained VIII Pln. France 08/11/1915. MIssing B Coy, presumed dead.
BARNETT THOMAS 10/07/1916 29 Lance Corporal ‘8387’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Presumed dead. Trained III Platoon of A Company. Son of Horatio & Esther Ann Barnett of 25 Liverpool Road, Manchester. 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 parents and four sisters at 5 Lawn Street, Lower Broughton. He was then employed as a clerk in a cotton manufacturers. Enlisted Sept 1914. Trained III Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing presumed dead.
BARRETT WILLIAM 10/07/1916 Private ‘26311’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. France in 1916. Presumed dead. Son of Maria Barrett of 81 Gregory Street, Longton, Staffs, previously 58 Romney Street Salford.
BENNETT JOHN 23 10/07/1916 Private ‘8453’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Trained & Presumed dead with XV Pln D Coy. Son of Mary Jane BENNETT, OF 12, BARWICK PLACE, RECTORY LANE, HARPURHEY, MANCHESTER. Brother of Harold, William & Lilley. Labourer, Enlisted 03/09/1914. Trained XV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing XV Pln, presumed dead.
BIRCHALL HARRY 26 10/07/1916 Private ’17/8439′ BERNAFAY WOOD BRITISH CEMETERY, MONTAUBAN. SON OF MR. AND MRS. J. BIRCHALL, OF MOSTON, MANCHESTER; HUSBAND OF SOPHIA BIRCHALL, OF CHELFORD RD., OLLERTON, KNUTSFORD, CHESHIRE. Employed by Chorlton Brothers Ltd. Enlisted 03/09/1914. Trained X Pln and bomber. France 08/11/1915. Killed in Action. His original grave had been on the north western side of Trones Wood. The family arranged the inscription:-“WORTHY OF EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE C.B.”
BRIERLEY BRADBURY JOHN 32 10/07/1916 Lance Serjeant (A/Sgt) ‘9246’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Former Policeman enlisted 27/01/1915, trained XX Pln. Cpl 19/02/1915. Hosp with Laryngitis 4 days 16/03/1915. 25th Bttn 30/08/11915. L/Sgt 07/02/1916. Embarked for France on HMS Golden Eagle 12/02/1916. Posted to 30th IBD. 2nd Entrenching Bn 25/02/1916. Joined Bttn 29/05/1916. Presumed dead. SON OF SARAH ANN BRIERLEY, OF 2, WELLINGTON TERRACE, GREENFIELD, OLDHAM, AND THE LATE THOMAS BRIERLEY; HUSBAND OF ANNIE SLEE (FORMERLY BRIERLEY), OF 107, VINE ST., GORTON, MANCHESTER, previously 6 Woodward St, Ancoats. Missing presumed dead. Reported killed by B Coy’s Pte 8797 A. Pearson, who reported Pte Alec Mackie (B Coy) witnessed A/Sgt Brieley being shot in the head and died instantly. Pte 8230 was KIA in October 1916.
BROADMEADOW STEPHEN 31 10/07/1916 Lance Serjeant ‘8084’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF JOSEPH BROADMEADOW, OF ELSINORE, FRIARS RD., SALE, CHESHIRE, AND THE LATE MARY ELIZABETH BROADMEADOW. Enlisted 02/09/1914. Trained in III Pln, A Coy. Lance Corporal Broadmeadow had been out drinking with Arthur Bell in Grantham, during their stay at Belton Park. “Half a dozen lads of our platoon, including myself, walked a distance of three miles one evening to Grantham from Belton Park …We went the round of the pubs, but I had pork pie with lemonade each time, instead of beer. On the way back to barracks we all managed to tumble into an already half-filled conveyance, somewhat larger than an ordinary car without any roof on. Now, I was blown up as you can guess, my pals were canned up, but every one of us, except myself, travelled on the mini-bus without paying! At least that is what they said – one was an N.C.O. (Steve Broadmeadow).” France 08/11/1915. Killed in action. 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.
BROWN ARTHUR HORACE MORTIMER 29 10/07/1916 Second Lieutenant OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY SON OF ARTHUR MORTIMER AND SUSANAH KATE BROWN OF 2 WILKINSON ST., SOUTH LAMBETH, LONDON. Missing presumed dead. A former pupil at Dulwich College 1902-1906 and articled clerk with Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) working with J. Edwards Myers & Clark. He was attached from 27th (Reserve) Battalion. He had originally enlisted in the Inns of Court OTC. Arthur’s body was discovered in 1933 in Bernafay Wood, close to Trones Alley on the eastern side. Following exhumation Arthur was identified by his personal effects, including a signet ring engraved by his father in 1908. He was then reburied in Ovillers Military Cemetery. Arthur senior had a business with artificial flowers. They received Arthur’s medals at a Great Portland Street address in 1929. Aged 29 at his death, Arthur had been commissioned on 27th October 1915 and arrived in France on 21st April 1916. Arthur is commemorated at St Marks War Memorial at Kennington Oval and Dulwich College.
BULL ERNEST 20 29/07/1916 Private ‘9527’ ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN SON OF MR. AND MRS. JOHN BULL, OF 4, HARWOOD RD., HEATON MERSEY, MANCHESTER. Died of wounds. Formerly employed at Peter Bailey Pottery Works, enlisted Cheshire Regiment – 13581. C Company 17th to France 08/11/1915.
CALLAN-MACARDLE KENNETH 26 09/07/1916 Second Lieutenant THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF SIR THOMAS CALLAN-MACARDLE, K.B.E., OF CAMBRICKVILLE, DUNDALK, IRELAND. Kenneth Macardle Profile
CALVERT ROBERT MAYSON 20 09/07/1916 Second Lieutenant SERRE ROAD CEMETERY No.2 SON OF ROBERT AND FANNY MARIA CALVERT, OF BURGH-BY-SANDS, CUMBERLAND. EDUCATED AT ST. BEES SCHOOL; HASTINGS EXHIBITIONER AT QUEEN’S COLLEGE, OXFORD. Officer Fatalities
DAVIS CYRIL EDWIN 24 22/07/1916 Private ‘9146’ LEBUCQUIERE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION Foster son and NEPHEW OF Jon and CLARA DAVIS, OF 76, HIGHFIELD RD., SEEDLEY, MANCHESTER. His mother was Emma Davis, then Rowe of Bungay, Suffolk. Employed as dyer prior to enlistment on 04/01/1915. Trained IV Pln. Hosp Grantham 30/8/1915. France 08/11/1915. Hosp 4 times with debility in France. Captured Trones Wood 10/7/1918 GSW Right Buttock. Died of wounds.
ELLISON THOMAS ARTHUR 23 10/07/1916 Corporal ‘8534’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF THOMAS FLEETWOOD ELLISON AND ELIZA ELLISON, OF 2 Queen’s Road, URMSTON, MANCHESTER. Employed as clerk at Donald Currie & Co. Enlisted 03/09/1914 and trained II Pln. L/Cpl 19/09/1914 & Cpl 19/08/1915. France 08/11/1915. Missing posted Killed in action.
FREEMAN HAROLD WADSWORTH 10/07/1916 Private ‘26469’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
GREENHILL JOHN 10/07/1916 Private ‘8145’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Husband of Lilian Wilson (previously Greenhill) of Bagshaw Cottages lower Eckstone near Buxton. Two children. Employed by Michelin Tyre Company. Enlisted 02/09/1914 and trained with IV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing IV Pln, presumed dead.
GRIGG MALCOLM HOWARD 22 09/07/1916 Second Lieutenant THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF JOHN SELBY GRIGG, AND GERTRUDE GRIGG, OF 10, RADLEY RD., BRUCE GROVE, TOTTENHAM, LONDON. Officer Fatalities
HASSALL FREDERICK NORMAN 23 10/07/1916 Private ‘8166’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF CECIL AND CAROLINE HASSALL, OF 43, WILTSHIRE ST., HIGHER BROUGHTON, MANCHESTER. Employed by Stott & Smith Ltd. Enlisted 02/09/1914. Trained VII Pln. France 08/11/1915. Signals Section. Killed in action.
HENDERSON ROBERT 21 10/07/1916 Private ‘8647’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF MRS. MARGARET HENDERSON, OF 5, ELLISON ST., ACCRINGTON, LANCS. Employee of E J Riley Ltd Accrington, Billiard Table makers. Trained XVI Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing presumed dead.
HILL THOMAS 23 10/07/1916 Private ‘8652’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF Joseph Henry and Margaret Ann HILL, OF 63, BARRETT ST., OLD TRAFFORD. MANCHESTER. Trained XIII Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing presumed dead.
WALTON CHARLES HINDLEY 27 23/07/1916 Second Lieutenant Manchester Regiment 19th Bn. (Formerly 17th Bn) United Kingdom (‘8985’) France LONDON CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, LONGUEVAL Son of the late C. F. Walton and Mrs. Waltoll, of Talbot Rd., Old Trafford, Manchester, husband of Marjorie (Madge) Walton, of 74, Urban Rd., Sale, Cheshire. Married October 1915. Daughter, Hindley Anne Walton, born 01/08/1916. Former Pupil Manchester Grammar. Insurance clerk in 1911. Enlisted Sept 1914, trained XIV Pln. Commissioned 26th Bn 13/07/1915. France 1916 with 19th Bn. Missing believed killed in action at Guillemont. Originally buried near the quarry. Identified by initialis on cigarette case in 1939. ‘Both hips, head and ribs smashed.’ Madge could not be found after the exhumation took place.
HUBBARD THOMAS 24 11/07/1916 Private ‘8189’ CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION SON OF ROBERT AND BETSY HUBBARD, OF 25, BOND STREET, BURY, LANCS. 8189. Employed as clerk at Calico Printers Association. Nonconformist lay preacher. Enlisted 03/09/1914. Trained XIV Pln. France 08/11/1915. GSW Head Trones Wood 09/07/1916. Died 5th CCS.
See My great Uncle Thomas Hubbard and Trones Wood and Service Record
JACKSON WILLIAM 22 10/07/1916 Private ‘8666’ LONDON CEMETERY AND EXTENSION, LONGUEVAL SON OF MR. W L AND Aida Louise JACKSON, OF 206 PLATT LANE, RUSHOLME, MANCHESTER. Post Office Clerk / Stock Keeper, enlisted 3rd Sept 1914, trained II Pln. France 08/11/1915. Wounded & missing presumed dead.
JAMIESON GEORGE 10/07/1916 Private ‘9330’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
DAVIS CYRIL EDWIN 24 22/07/1916 Private ‘9146’ LEBUCQUIERE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION III. C. 17. NEPHEW OF CLARA [& John] DAVIS, OF 76, HIGHFIELD RD., SEEDLEY, MANCHESTER. Born Bungay, Suffolk. Prisoner of War captured at Trones Wood 9/7/1916. Died of wounds in backside. May have initially been buried in Bertincourt Military Cemetery. Enlisted 4th January 1915. Employed as dyer. Hospital Grantham 30/8/1915-28/9/1915. France 8/11/1915. Various attendance as CCS for health complaints. A year after his death Mrs Emma C Rowe of Bungay confirmed she was Cyril’s mother, but insisted his death plaque should be held by Clara Davis as his guardian since childhood. Cyril’s father is not identified on his Service Record which provides status as illegitimate. Clara arranged the inscription on his grave “For God has taken him away. The one we loved so dear.”
JOHN FRANK 23 10/07/1916 Private ‘26495’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF SARAH JOHN, OF 16, HAMPDEN GROVE, PATRICROFT, MANCHESTER, AND THE LATE HENRY JOSEPH JOHN.
KELSALL CLARENCE EDWARD (AKA Charles) 24 10/07/1916 Private ‘8690’ CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION SON OF JAMES AND ESTHER KELSALL, OF 7 Birch Hall Lane, Longsight; later NEWPORT, SALOP. Husband of Margaret Kelsall of 27 Ebberstone Street, Moss Side. 1 daughter, Nora Mildred, born 15/07/1915. Previously 313 Moss Lane East, Moss Side. Employed by Wright & Green Ltd, Grocers, enlisted Sept 1914. Trained IV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Died of wounds at 5th CCS. Younger brother, ‘17949’ James William was killed with 20th Bn on 01/07/1916. Clarence accidentally shot Pte 8688 John Knight in February 1916, who subsequently died from wounds in March 1917.
LAW JOHN 10/07/1916 Private ‘8703’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL III Platoon
LEAR FRANK EAST 30 10/07/1916 Private ‘8211’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF THOMAS EAST LEAR AND AMY DAWSON LEAR, OF 108, BROUGHTON RD., PENDLETON, MANCHESTER. Employed by Clerk in cotton mill. Trained I Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing A Coy, presumed dead. Two brothers also fell with Lancs Fusilis & RWF.
LINNEY LOUIS 10/07/1916 Serjeant ‘8705’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL III Platoon
PRESCOTT THOMAS CYRIL 10/07/1916 Private ‘9523’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
RAWLINSON CLIFFORD 10/07/1916 Lance Corporal ‘8831’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Son of Henry & Rhoda E Rawlinson of 56 Ravenoak Road, Cheadle Hulme. Salesman. Enlisted 3 Sept 1914, trained VI Pln. Unpaid L/Cpl 21/07/1915 and reverted to Pte at own request 6 days later. France 08/11/1915. Trained Sniper. Unpaid L/Cpl 02/07/1916. MIssing presumed dead.
RULE FRANK RENNIE 25 10/07/1916 Private ‘8853’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF THE LATE R. R. AND MARY JANE RULE. Employed a clerk by The Refuge Assurance Co. Ltd, enlisted 03/09/1914. Trained XVI Pln. France 08/11/1915. Orderly Room Clerk & Bomber. Killed in action.
SCHOFIELD LEONARD 22 10/07/1916 Private ‘8863’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF ELLIS AND ALICE SCHOFIELD, OF THE FIRS, POLEFIELD RD., PRESTWICH, MANCHESTER. Clerk, enlisted 3 Sept 1914, trained IV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Trained with catapult, west spring gun. Missing, later posted Killed in action. Reported as buried by OC B Coy of 2nd Leinsters on 10/08/1915. The burial was lost in subsequent hostilities.
SMITH FRANK CLARKE 10/07/1916 Private ‘9505’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
SMITH WILFRED ERNEST BARNWELL 26 11/07/1916 Private ‘8884’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF the late SAMUEL AND JANE ELIZABETH SMITH. Brother, Arthur, lived at 151 Great Clowes Street. Employed by Sparrow Hardwick Ltd, enlisted Sept 1914. Trained XI Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing presumed dead with C Coy. His body was later idenitified but any burial was lost. (Date of death must be incorrect)
STALEY JOHN EDWARD 21 10/07/1916 Private ‘8873’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF John E and Margaret Ann STALEY, OF 15, SUDBURY ST., QUEEN’S PARK, MANCHESTER. Employed by Baxendale & Co. Enlisted Sept 1914, trained VIII Pln. France 08/11/1915. MIssing presumed dead, B Coy.
STODDART ARTHUR 19 10/07/1916 Private ‘9379’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF CHARLES WILLIAM AND GERTRUDE STODDART, OF 3, CLAREMONT ST., CHORLTON-ON-MEDLOCK, MANCHESTER.
STORER ERNEST 10/07/1916 Private ‘9167’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL. Son of the late Reuben Storer and Mary Ann Storer of 166 Moorside Street, Droylesden. Employed as Salesman by Listers Ltd, enlisted 11/01/1916. Trained IX Pln. France 08/11/1915. Admitted Hosp with Boils. Home Depot 15/03/1916. France 21/05/1916. Rejoined 17th Bn in the field 05/06/1916. Killed in action. Medals held by Regimental Museum.
TAYLOR ALBERT 10/07/1916 Private ‘9132’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Son of William Taylor and BROTHER OF MRS. NELLIE GIBSON, OF 21, OLDHAM ST., BOLLINGTON, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE. Doubler in cotton mill, enlisted Dec 1914. Trained VII Pln. France 08/11/1915. Wounded & missing presumed dead. The Germans found his Pay Book and probably buried Albert in an unidentified grave. Bollington and St Oswald’s School Memorials
TIGHE JOHN 19 09/07/1916 Private ‘8906’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF JAMES WILLIAM AND AMELIA TIGHE, OF 3, ROSS ST., WESLEY ST., HYDE RD., ARDWICK, MANCHESTER. Attended Ross Place School. Employed by Peel, Watson & Co, enlisted Sept 1914. Trained VI Pln. France 08/11/1915. Missing B Coy, presumed killed in action.
WALTON FREDERICK 10/07/1916 Private ‘10744’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Noted 18th Battn Number
WHITTAKER JOHN 29 19/07/1916 Private ‘8960’ SALFORD (WEASTE) CEMETERY SON OF RICHARD WHITTAKER AND SARAH WHITTAKER, OF ACCRINGTON; HUSBAND OF MARIAN WHITTAKER, OF 23, KNOLL ST., HIGHER BROUGHTON, MANCHESTER. Enlisted Sept 1914, trained VI Pln. France 08/11/1915. GSW Right thigh at Montauban with B Coy and admitted 34th CCS 03/07/1916. Transferred to 2nd Gen Hosp 04/07/1916 and evacuated home on board Hosp Ship Egypt 06/07/1916. Died of wounds in Warrington War Hospital.
WILLOTT CHARLES 20 10/07/1916 Private ‘9309’ CORBIE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION SON OF MR AND MRS. F. W. WILLOTT, OF 5, MALT STREET, HUIME, MANCHESTER.
WILSON SIDNEY DOUGLAS 19 11/07/1916 Private ‘8945’ (CWGC state ‘2945’) THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF ALEXANDER ALFRED WILSON, OF DUNSTON, LINCOLN. Resident of Sale. Employed by Cotton & Wool Dyers Association, enlisted Sept 1914. Trained IV Pln. France 08/11/1915. Wounded & missing assumed also reported killed in action by GSW to head and buried on 17/07/1916.
WRAY WILFRED LAWRENCE 27 10/07/1916 Private ‘8354’ THIEPVAL MEMORIAL SON OF WILLIAM THOMAS AND EMILY MAUD WRAY, OF 142, BARTON RD., STRETFORD, MANCHESTER. Born in York and resident Stretford. . Born 1889. Trained with XVI Pln. D Coy. France 08/11/1915. Posted wounded and missing. Accountants clerk with George Robinson & Co. living with parents (13 children) at 1054 Chester Road, Stretford in 1911. W L Wray also shown on Manchester Corporation, Tramways Dept. Roll. THIEPVAL
Died of Wounds
Prisoners of War
CROWE FREDERICK GUEST 0 26/09/1916 Private Manchester Regiment ‘8466’ NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, KASSEL IV. D. 15. Employee of Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank, Portland Street. Attended Manchester Grammar School. Died as Prisoner of War having been captured at Trones Wood on 09/07/1916. Obituary
MORRISSEY JOHN 20 02/11/1916 Private “B” Coy. 17th Bn. Germany ‘8734’ NIEDERZWEHREN CEMETERY, KASSEL Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Morrissey, of 3, Bank Place, Salford, Manchester. Wounded and captured as POW at Trones Wood 09/07/1916. Died of Wounds Obituary
Earlier Action
PARROTT RICHARD FREDERICK 27/07/1916 Private ‘8267’ MANCHESTER (PHILIPS PARK) CEMETERY. Son of Richard Frederick and Eliza Parrott of 77 Hinckley Street, Bradford, Manchester. Employed by Thomas Collier & Co. Enlisted Sept 1914. France 08/11/1915. Wounded Montauban 1/7/1916. Died of wounds at the American Womens’ War Hospital, Paignton. HIs brother, James Arthur Parrott was killed in 3rd Ypres with 2/10th Bn on 09/10/1917. Site Visitors
17th Battalion Manchester Regiment on the Somme 