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Manchester Regiment (5th City Pals) 1914-1915 Star - PTE. A. FRANCIS. Wounded First Day of Somme, recovered and again wounded in 1917. Discharged with Silver War Badge

Impressed on reverse: 18176 PTE. A. FRANCIS. MANCH: R.

Albert Francis worked as a labourer and was living at 4 Buxton Lane, Droylsden, Nr. Manchester with his wife and three young daughters when he enlisted at the age of 29 in January 1915. He saw service as a Private in 'B' Company, 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment being wounded on 1st July 1916, confirmed by correspondence in his papers available online. Recovered and returned to duty, a year later he was wounded a second time (gun shot wound left arm), and was discharged with a Silver War Badge on 6th August 1917. Paperwork includes copy MIC, details of Silver War badge, copies of attestation papers and correspondence.

See the Manchester City Battalions Book of Honour bottom of this page.

Manchester Regiment Victory Medal - PTE. W. PENNY. Died of Wounds 03/07/16 - Somme

Impressed on the rim: 20313 PTE. W. PENNY. MANCH. R.

William Penny from Stretford, Manchester saw service as a Private with the 22nd Battalion (7th City) Manchester Regiment and died of wounds on 3rd July 1916, he is now buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe. Copy MIC included along with pages from CWGC and Ancestry.

Good Very Fine. £55.00 + £2.95 P&P UK

The Battalion was raised in Manchester on the 21st November 1914 by the Lord Mayor and the major Manchester cotton producers. Throughout January 1915 the battalion spent time in Morecambe and Grantham for training and in September 1915 they moved to Larkhill Camp, Salisbury Plain for final training. On the 11th November 1915 they landed at Boulogne and on the 20th December 1915. they became part of the 91st Brigade 7th Division. The 22nd had their first experience of the trenches, training with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. In February 1916 they arrived at the Somme, opposite the German held fortified village of Mametz, east of Fricourt. On the 2nd June A company carried out a trench raid on a German listening post which was rated a success but not without cost, as the problem of uncut wire, which was to be a major factor in the oncoming Battle of the Somme, caused many casualties.

The Battle of the Somme commenced on the 1st July 1916, the 22nd, as part of 7th Division, would be attacking Fricourt in a pincer movement. The 22nd achieved their first objective of Bucket Trench and further advanced on Danzig Alley but were driven back as German troops emerged from their deep underground bunkers unscathed by the Allied artillery bombardment. Re-inforced by the elements of the South Staffords, the 22nd took Danzig Trench. The brigade pushed forward and Mametz was taken. The battalion paid a terrible price - of the 796 men that started the day, 472 became casualties. The battalion was relieved on the 5th July.

See the Manchester City Battalions Book of Honour bottom of this page.

Manchester Regiment - British War Medal PTE. ALFRED HEAPS - discharged unfit for duty August 1916

Impressed into the rim: 20159 PTE. A. HEAPS. MANCH. R.

Alfred Heaps enlisted 30th November 1914 and was discharged under KIng's Regulation 392 xvi on11/08/16. Listed as sickness, the category embraces a number of reasons that could lead to discharge, but in this case it is most likely to be "Nervous or physical strain from war conditions" rendering the soldier permanently physically unfit for war service. He would have been entitled to a Silver War Badge. Serving with the 22nd Battalion and after a year spent training throughout the UK (see Private Penny’s story above) he was without doubt exposed to the horrors of the Somme as his baptism of fire. No doubt further research would be more revealing.

Fortunately by this period during WWI, the mental and physical strains inflicted by shell-fire were more greatly appreciated. Hitherto, men who were unable to function were usually regarded as cowards / malingerers. Before the medical profession became more enlightened, electric-shock therapy, anesthesia and behavioural methods (shouted commands, isolation and restricted diet) were often employed as methods of treatment.

Copy MIC included. Good Very Fine. £25.00 + £2.95 P&P UK

See the Manchester City Battalions Book of Honour below.

Manchester City Battalions of the 90th and 91st Infantry Brigades Book of Honour

Edited by Brigadier-General F. Kempster DSO & Brigadier-General H. C. E Westropp Published 1916 by Sherrat and Hughes Hard back - 784 pages including b/white platoon photographs plus 54 Page Appendix.

The definitive reference book for those with a special interest in the Manchester Regiment, especially medal collectors, and a good addition to any WWI researcher's bookcase. Includes a short history of the Regiment and lists the officers and names, rank and roll number of every man in each battalion / company / platoon, and with a platoon group photograph in every case. The remainder of the book comprises the Rolls of Honour of Firms and Institutions in Manchester and includes three photographic plates. The Appendix lists names of men who have attested under the Group System.

For those who are familiar with Manchester, the Rolls of Honour of the businesses in and around the city centre are especially interesting, even more so as the very pages themselves are from that period in time. These are printed on a cartridge paper which has a softer feel than that which has been used for the lists of battalions.

A large, heavy book, the outer boards and spine are grubby and distressed but remain attached. Page ends are grubby, with some foxing and yellowing throughout but binding generally remains firm.

H:25.5 x W:19 x D:7cm £35.00 + £8.60 P&P UK