101 years ago today 31/3/1915: Private H Kimber 4th Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

Private M Byrne 1st/4th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

100 years ago today 31/3/1916: Private Thomas Evan Parry (Age 24) 3rd Bn. Llanengan (Bwlch) Calvinistic Methodist Chapelyard, United Kingdom. Son of Griffith and Sophie Parry, of Tan-Yr-Allt.

Private A Eastwood 16th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, France.

VC Winner…

1900: Horace Glasock of Royal Horse Artillery in 2nd Boer war, Korn Spruit, South Africa.

1900: Isaac Lodge of Royal Horse Artillery in 2nd Boer war, Korn Spruit, South Africa.

1900: Francis Maxwell of Roberts’s Light Horse in 2nd Boer war, Korn Spruit, South Africa.

1900: Charles Parker of Royal Horse Artillery in 2nd Boer war, Korn Spruit, South Africa.

1900: Edmund Phipps-Hornby of Royal Horse Artillery in 2nd Boer war, Korn Spruit, South Africa.

1918: Gordon Flowerdew of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in WW1, Bois de Moreuil, France.

Also…

1992 – USS Missouri decommissioned

101 years ago today 30/3/1915: Private S Clare 2nd Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

100 years ago today 30/3/1916: Private C Weedall 3rd/5th Bn. Northwich Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Fred Trueman (Age21) 10th Bn. St. Hilaire Cemetery, Frevent, France. Son of William and Elizabeth Trueman, of “Sycamore,” Slade Lane, Over Alderley, Chelford, Crewe.

VC Winner…

1858: Aylmer Cameron of 72nd Regiment of Foot in Indian Mutiny, Kotah, India

1864: John McNeill of 107th Bengal Infantry Regiment in Invasion of Waikato, Ohaupo, New Zealand

1896: Herbert Henderson of Bulawayo Field Force in Matabeleland Rebellion, Bulawayo, Rhodesia.

1918: Alan Jerrard of No. 66 Squadron RFC in WW1, Mansue, Italy.

1944: Cyril Barton of No. 578 Squadron RAF in WW2, Nuremberg, Germany.

Also…

1944 – RAF Bomber Command suffers heaviest losses on raid to Nuremberg

1979 – Airey Neave (escaped from Colditz and made a ‘home run’) murdered by INLA bomb outside Palace of Westminster

1981 – President Ronald Raegan shot

happy birthday….

1853 – Vincent Van Gogh

1905 – Albert Pierrepoint (hangman)

101 years ago today 29/3/1915: Lance Corporal Robert Owen Jones (Age 23) 1st Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Son of Thomas and Catherine Jones, of 30A, Scholar St., Smithdown Rd., Liverpool.

Private Graham (Age 30) Chester (Overleigh) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of S. J. Birtles (formerly Graham), of 34, Fitzclarence St., Everton Rd., Everton, Lancs.

Winner…

1855: William Coffey of 34th Regiment of Foot in Crimea, Sevastopol, Crimea.

1855: Frederick Elton of 55th Regiment of Foot in Crimea, Sevastopol, Crimea.

Also…

1879 – battle of Kambula (after struggling at Hlobane) in Zulu War

1942 – bombing of Lubeck by RAF, first major success (on the coast you see)

1951 – Rosenbergs convicted

1971 – Lt. William Calley convicted for My Lai

happy birthday…

1931 – Norman Tebbit

1943 – John Major

1946 – Richard Holmes

1960 – Jo Nesbo

101 years ago today 28/3/1915: Captain Thomas Laurence Frost (Age 25) Adjt. 1st Bn. Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Sir John Meadows Frost, of Upton Lawn, Chester.

Private Thomas Henry Wrench (Age 19) 14th Bn. Lostock Gralam (St. John) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Son of Joseph Thomas Wrench and Jane Wrench, of 2, Old Lane, Lostock Gralam, Northwich.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1942: Lieutenant Robert James Glover Burtinshaw (Age 25) 6th Bn. Escoublac-La-Baule War Cemetery, France. Son of Sydney James Glover Burtinshaw and Lilian Beatrice Burtinshaw, of Bramhall, Cheshire. Lawyer.

1944: Private Joseph Wright (Age 22) 7th Bn. Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Son of John and Edith Wright, of Tipton, Staffordshire.

VC Winner…

1860: William Odgers of HMS Niger in First Taranaki War, Omata, New Zealand.

1879: Edward Browne of 24th Regiment of Foot in zulu war, Battle of Khambula, Zululand.

1879: Redvers Buller of 60th Rifles in zulu war, Battle of Hlobane, Zululand.

1879: Edmund Fowler of 90th Regiment of Foot in zulu war, Battle of Hlobane, Zululand.

1879: William Leet of 13th Regiment of Foot in zulu war, Battle of Hlobane, Zululand.

1879: Henry Lysons of 90th Regiment of Foot in zulu war, Battle of Hlobane, Zululand.

1918: Bernard Cassidy of Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1, Arras, France.

1918: Stanley McDougall of 47th Battalion, AIF in WW1, Dernancourt, France.

1918: Oliver Watson of King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry) in WW1, Rossignol Wood, France.

1942: Augustus Newman of Essex Regiment in WW2, St Nazaire, France.

1942: Robert Ryder of HMS Campbeltown in WW2, St Nazaire, France.

1942: William Savage of HM Motor Gun Boat in WW2, St Nazaire, France.

101 years ago today 27/3/1915: Private William Sexton 2nd Bn. Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Ireland, Republic of.

Private George Blythen (Age 17) 1st/4th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Andrew and May Elizabeth Blythen, of 61, Rodney St., Birkenhead.

Private O Dunn 1st/7th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private Robert Parsonage 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private Henry Postles (Age 22) 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Eaton (formerly Postles) and the late Thomas Postles.

Private W Ward (Age 24) 1st/5^th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Brother of Walter Ward, of 3, New Terrace, Helsby, Warrington.

100 years ago today 27/3/1916: Private JI Langhorn (Age 30) 14th Bn. Whitchurch Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Lancelot Langhorn and the late Elizabeth Langhorn, of Southview, Westow, York. Born at Brampton, Croft Ends, Appleby, Westmorland.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1944: Private Thomas Huxley (Age 31) 6th Bn. Bari War Cemetery, Italy. Son of George and Helen Huxley, of Stockport, Cheshire; husband of Lily Huxley, of Edgeley, Stockport.

VC Winner…

1917: Frederick Harvey of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) in WW1, Guyencourt, France.

1918: Alan McLeod of No. 2 Squadron RFC in WW1, Albert, France.

1916: Edward Mellish of Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in WW1, St. Eloi, Belgium.

1942: Stephen Beattie of HMS Campbeltown in WW2, St, Nazaire, France.

1942: Thomas Durrant of Corps of Royal Engineers in WW2, St. Nazaire, France.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Frank_Durrant

Also…

1963 – Beeching report published (massive cuts to UK rail network)

1977 – Teneriffe airport disaster (2 747s crash with 583 dead)

101 years ago today 26/3/1915: Private J Wright 1st Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

Private F Stokes 1st Bn.  Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium.

Private G Brandreth 1st/7th Bn. attd. 1st/5th Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Serjeant G Partin 5th Bn. St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1941: Private Thomas Charles Hargreaves (Age 25) 1st Bn. Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece. Son of William Henry and Myra M. Hargreaves, of Southport, Lancashire.

1946: Major Clifford Sydney Philpott (Age 42) Burntwood (Christ Church) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Son of Francis Sydney and Helen Philpott; husband of Gwyneth Margaret Philpott, of Bude, Cornwall.

VC Winner…

1917: Percy Cherry of 26th Battalion, AIF in WW1, Lagnicourt, France.

1918: Albert Mountain of Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) in WW1, Hamelincourt, France.

1943: Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu of 28th Māori Battalion, NZEF in WW2, Tebaga Gap, Tunisia.

Also…

1982 – ground broken on wonderful Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC

happy birthday….

1931 – Leonard Nimoy

97 years ago today 25/3/1919: Private Arnold Kay (Age 33) Haslingden (Holden Hall) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Samuel and Mary Ann Kay, of Haslingden; husband of Margaret Ray, of 21, Prospect Hill, Haslingden.

96 years ago today 25/3/1920: Private Donald Ebenezer Pitchford (Age 23) 17th Bn. High Ercall (St. Michael) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Son of Mr. E. and Mrs. M. J. Pitchford, of High Ercall School, Wellington, Salop.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1945: Private George Derbyshire (Age 25) 1st Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Son of David Derbyshire, and of Florence Derbyshire, of Congleton, Cheshire.

Lieutenant Carl Gerwin (Age 32) 1st Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Son of Frederick and Gertrude Marian Gerwin, of Birmingham; husband of Olive May Gerwin, of Ullenhall, Birmingham.

Lance Corporal George Miles (Age 25) 1st Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Son of Alfred George and Annie Jane Miles, of Clapton, London.

Private David Frederick Ward (Age 26) 1st Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Son of David and Florence Pamela Lily Ward, of Frodingham, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.

VC Winner…

1918: William Herbert Anderson of Highland Light Infantry in WW1, Maricourt, France.

1918: Arthur Cross of Machine Gun Corps in WW1, Ervillers, France.

1918: Alfred Toye of Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) in WW1, Eterpigny Ridge, France.

1918: Thomas Young of Durham Light Infantry in WW1, Bucquoy, France.

1945: Albert Chowne of 2/2nd Battalion, AIF in WW2, Dagua, New Guinea.

Happy birthday….

1840 – Myles Keogh (dies at Little Big Horn with Custer 1876)

1942 – Aretha Franklin

101 years ago today 24/3/1915: Private F Ardern (Age 35) 2nd Bn. Dranouter Churchyard               , Belgium. Husband of Gertrude Ardern, of 9A, Victoria St., Altrincham, Cheshire.

Private David James Goddard (Age 21) 2nd Bn. Dranouter Churchyard, Belgium. Son of Mrs. Alice Goddard, of 124, Catherine St., Mill Rd., Cambridge.

Private Charles Frederick Davies (Age 25) “E” Coy. 2nd Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of William and Sarah Davies, of 8, Lower Church St., Pontycymmer, Bridgend, Glam. Native of Croydon.

Private R Jones 4th Bn. Wytschaete Military Cemetery, Belgium.

100 years ago today 24/3/1916: Private A Stephen (Age 30) 9th Bn. Merville Communal Cemetery, France. Husband of Margaret Stephen, of 29, North St., Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

VC Winner…

1918: John Davies of Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) in WW1, Eppeville, France.

1945: Frederick Topham of 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in WW2, Rhine, Germany.

Also…

1944 – the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III…76 got out, 50 shot

101 years ago today 23/3/1915: Private FE Jones 5th Bn.                Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

Private J Carty (Age 24) 2nd Bn. Brompton Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Capper, of I, Garretts St., Higher Brinksway, Stockport.

Corporal Harry Charles (Age 24) 2nd Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Mrs. Hermanie Lye Charles and John L. Charles (stepfather) of 1, Stafford St., Heigham Rd., Norwich.

Corporal Thomas Henry Dean (Age 27) 2nd Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of William Henry and Jane Dean, of 26, Lister St., Chorlton-On-Medlock, Manchester. Native of Crewe.

Private J Lewis 2nd Bn. Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private  T Dennis 1st Bn. Tuileries British Cemetery, Belgium.

100 years ago today 23/3/1916: Private J Hogg (Age 53) No. 3 Depot Chester (Overleigh) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of Fanny Hogg, of 2, Richmond Terrace, Boughton, Cheshire.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1941: Private Thomas James Sankey (Age 32) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Wenlock (Broseley) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of James and Annie Sankey; husband of Elizabeth Sankey, of Broseley.

1943: Private Gordon Charles Austin (Age 22) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Charles Henry and Gertrude Austin, of Altrincham, Cheshire.

Private John Bell (Age 32) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

Private Thomas Broomhead (Age 23) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Thomas and A. Broomhead, of Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Private Harold Dodd 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Mary Dodd, of Saltney, Flintshire.

Private Joseph Flood 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Benjamin and Anne Ellen Flood, of Stockport, Cheshire; Husband of Margaret Ellen Flood, of Cheadle Heath, Stockport.

Private Patrick Frederick Ford (Age 33) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia

Private Edward Hanlon (Age 42) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of James Thomas Hanlon and Margaret Hanlon.

Private Reginald Charles                Lockie (Age 26) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia. Son of Mrs. L. A. Lockie.

Private Anthony Harold Mercer (Age 26) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Husband of Edna Mercer, of Bootle, Lancashire.

Lance Serjeant Albert William Snutch (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

1947: Private William Small St. Helens Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of George and Mary Jane Small; Husband of Annie Small, of St. Helens.

VC Winner…

1918: Christopher Bushell of Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment in WW1, Tergnier, France

1918: Julian Gribble of Royal Warwickshire Regiment in WW1, Beaumetz, France

1918: Alfred Herring of Royal Army Service Corps in WW1, Montagne Bridge, France

happy birthday…

1912 – Werner von Braun

1935 – Barry Cryer

1968 – Mike Atherton

101 years ago today 22/3/1915: Private Charles Mayes (Age 23) 2nd Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord, France. Son of James and Mary Ann Mayes, of 31, Avon St., Oldham.

Private A Edwards 1st Bn. Tuileries British Cemetery, Belgium.

Private GA Wakefield 1st Bn. Tuileries British Cemetery, Belgium.

Private Frank Bates 1st Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1941: Private Robert Watson (Age 34) Wharton (Christ Church) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Son of John and Fanny Watson, of Winsford.

1942: Private Brian Wood (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya. Son of John Richard and Annie Wood, of Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire.[Note: I have Brian’s medals – lest we forget]

1943: Serjeant William Foy (Age 32) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of William and Christina Foy; Husband of Dorothy Grace Foy, Of Cemaes Bay, Anglesey.

Private George Edward Howard (Age 23) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of William John Howard, and of Minnie Howard, of Felpham, Bognor Regis, Sussex.

Serjeant Jack Hulme (Age 23) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of May Hulme; husband of Dorothy Hulme.

Private Thomas Edmund Larvor (Age 21) 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Charles Edmond and Henrietta Larvor, of Edge Hill, Liverpool.

Private Thomas David Salisbury 2nd Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Private  Norman Thorley (Age 28) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

VC Winner…

1855: George Gardiner of 57th Regiment of Foot in Crimea, Sevastopol, Crimea

1855: Alexander Wright of 77th Regiment of Foot in Crimea, Sevastopol, Crimea

1918: John Collings-Wells of Bedfordshire Regiment in WW1, Marcoing, France

1918: Herbert Columbine of Machine Gun Corps in WW1, Hervilly Wood, France

1918: Harold Jackson of East Yorkshire Regiment in WW1, Hermies, France

1918: Cecil Knox of Corps of Royal Engineers in WW1, Tugny, France

1918: Frank Roberts of Worcestershire Regiment in WW1, Pargny, France

1945: Reginald Rattey of 2/525th Battalion, AIF in WW2, Bougainville, Solomon Islands