101 years ago today 31/5/1915: Private J Brindley 1st Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.

Private William McClellan 1st Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

100 years ago today 31/5/1916:

Private F Dawson (Age 26) 8th Bn. Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Son of Mary Ann Dawson, of 21, Swinnerton St., Crewe.

Private TD McCool 10th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private John Henry Smith 7th Bn. Colchester Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Edwin Talbot (Age 21) 7th Bn. Colchester Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Frederick and Rebecca Talbot, of Dunham Massey, Cheshire.

Serjeant Horace Edwin Taylor (Age 30) 2nd Bn. Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France.

Second Lieutenant John Hugh Watkin (Age 20) MC 2nd Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Capt. Hugh Geoffrey Watkin and of Evelyn Catherine Watkin (nee Hardiacre); Stepson of Air Vice Marshall Geoffrey Arthur Henzell Pidcock, C.B.E., C.B., of Anna Valley, Hampshire.

1942: Private Victor Norbert William Blanchard (Age 21) 2nd Bn. Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Son of John Norbert Blanchard, and of Irene Gladys Blanchard, of New Durham, Co. Durham.

Private Robert Davies (Age 28) 2nd Bn. Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Son of Ambrose Preston Davies and Amy Davies; husband of Gladys Davies, of Egremont, Wallasey, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal Edward Hartley (Age 24) 2nd Bn. Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Son of Edward and Sarah Jane Hartley; husband of Iris Winnifred Hartley.

1944: Private James Brass (Age21) 7th Bn. Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Son of James and Hannah Brass, of South Shields, Co. Durham.

VC Winner…

1916: Edward Bingham of HMS NestorHMS Nestor in WW1, Battle of Jutland, Denmark.

1916: Jack Cornwell of HMS Chester in WW1, Battle of Jutland, Denmark.

1916: Francis Harvey of Royal Marine Light Infantry in WW1, Battle of Jutland, Denmark.

1916: Loftus Jones of HMS Shark in WW1, Battle of Jutland, Denmark.

1940: Harold Ervine-Andrews of East Lancashire Regiment in WW2, Dunkirk, France.

Also…

1669 – Samuel Pepys makes fine diary entry

1942 – Japanese midget submarines attack Sydney harbour

Happy Birthday…

1930 – Clint Eastwood

100 years ago today 30/5/1916: Lance Corporal James Holland (Age 31) 10th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Samuel and Mary Holland, of Northwich, Cheshire.

Private Edward Southern (Age 30) 13th Bn. Etaples Military Cemetery, France. Son of James and Sarah A. Southern; husband of Ethel H. Southern, of 53, Lime St., Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Private Hugh Jones 1st/5th Bn. Hebuterne Military Cemetery, France.    

Private H Churcher 15th Bn. St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue, France.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Second Lieutenant Francis Stafford Golland (Age 21) 4th Bn. Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Wilfrid and Alice Stella May Golland, of West Kirby, Cheshire.

Private Frank Richardson (Age 23) 4th Bn. De Panne Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Joseph and Alice Richardson, of Runcorn, Cheshire; husband of Molly Richardson, of Runcorn.

Private Robert Henry Scarisbrick (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Les Moeres Communal Cemetery, France.        

Warrant Officer Class II Robert Ernest Charles Shiells (Age 34) 4th Bn. Hotton War Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Robert Andrew and Amelia Emily Shiells; husband of Annie Shiells, of Southend-On-Sea, Essex.

Private Henry Aloysius Smith (Age 27) 2nd Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France                .

1947: Private Samuel Joseph Aldersea (Age 25) 1st Bn. Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. Son of S. J. and Margaret Aldersea; Nephew of Mr. W. Aldersea, of Wolverhampton.

VC Winner…

1857: Everard Phillipps of 11th Bengal Native Infantry in Indian Mutiny, Delhi, India.

1942: Leslie Manser of No. 50 Squadron RAF in WW2, Cologne, Germany.

Also…

1431 – Joan of Arc burnt at the stake

Happy birthday…

1908 – Mel Blanc

1939 – Tim Waterstone (founder of the bookshop)

1961 – Harry Enfield

101 years ago today 29/5/1915: Private James Arthur Mellor 2nd Bn. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Husband of Mary Ann Mellor, of 6, Ashton Rd., Newton Hyde, Cheshire.

Private J Freeman 2nd Bn. St. Helens Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Mrs. Martha Freeman, of 22, Tontine St., St. Helens.

100 years ago today 29/5/1916: Private R Sidwell (Age 21) 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Mr. R. and Mrs. E. Sidwell, of 83, Percival Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire.

Private A Hough 6th Bn. Bethune Town Cemetery, France.           

Serjeant Stanley Walter Davis (Age 21) 15th Bn. Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France. Son of Isaac and Elizabeth Davis.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private John Joseph Allen Costall (Age 27) 4th Bn. Oye-Plage Communal Cemetery, France. Husband of Ethel May Adelaide Costall, of Poulton, Wallasey, Cheshire.

Private Gwynfryn Cunnah (Age 29) La Plaine-Sur-Mer Communal Cemetery, France.

Private Patrick John Hamilton (Age 21) 4th Bn. Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Patrick and Mary Hamilton, of Port Sunlight, Birkenhead.

Lance Corporal Norman Douglas Ingham (Age 20) 4th Bn. West Cappel Churchyard, France. Son of William and Ada Annie Ingham, of Hoylake, Cheshire.

Private Frank Morris (Age 21) 4th Bn. Marquise Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Arthur and Florence Morris, of Hadfield, Derbyshire.

Second Lieutenant Robert Fraser Reid 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France.              

Private John Smith (Age 36) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Son of George and Lucy Smith; Husband of Olive Smith, of Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

VC Winner…

1855: Cecil Buckley of HMS Miranda in Crimea, Sea of Azov, Crimea.

1855: Hugh Burgoyne of HMS Swallow in Crimea, Sea of Azov, Crimea.

1855: John Robarts of HMS Ardent in Crimea, Sea of Azov, Crimea.

101 years ago today 28/5/1915: Private J Dean 2nd Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.    

Private  W Wilson (Age 46) 3rd Bn. Coventry (London Road) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of George and Elizabeth Wilson of Coventry; husband of Rose Wilson, of 8, Bayley Lane, Coventry.

Private  JH Quinn 2nd Bn. Runcorn Cemetery, United Kingdom.  

100 years ago today 28/5/1916: Private J Kay 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension  , France.

Private Peter Hall 1st Garrison Bn. Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Gibraltar.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Frederick George Barnhouse (Age 34) La Bernerie-En-Retz Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Thomas and Emily Jane Barnhouse, of Swansea; husband of Mary Ann Barnhouse, of Town Hill, Swansea.

Private Norman Bell (Age 21) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France.

Private John Blackwell (Age 21) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France.           

Private  Ernest Arthur Braithwaite (Age 34) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Husband of Winifred May Braithwaite, of Aslockton, Nottinghamshire.

Private Kenneth Fowden (Age 20) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Henry and Felicia Mary Fowden, of Burton, Cheshire.

Lieutenant Basil Thomas Robertson Glasspool (Age 24) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Son of Reginald Thomas Booth Glasspool and Frances Louisa Glasspool, of Street, Somerset.

Private Joseph William Hines (Age 20) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Joseph and Emily Hines.

Corporal Charles George Jones (Age 31) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Richard and Mary Hannah Jones, of Neston, Cheshire; husband of Kate Jones, of Neston.

Lance Corporal Arthur Kirby (Age 33) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France.    

Private Ronald Linegar (Age 19) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Harold and Jessie Linegar, of Castle, Northwich, Cheshire.

Private Charles Lockett (Age 20) 4th Bn. Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France. Son of Charles and Rachel Lockett, of Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire. His brother also died on Service.

Private Henry Moffatt (Age 20) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Son of Robert George and Rose Moffatt, of Rock Ferry, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal Thomas McNally (Age 35) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France.       

Private Claude William Parrish 7th Bn. Warneton (Waasten) Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Parrish, of May Bank, Staffordshire.

Private Joseph Ernest Roberts (Age 21) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France. Son of William and Ann Jane Roberts, of New Ferry, Cheshire.

Private Robert Smith (Age 29) 2nd Bn. Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Belgium.   

Corporal James Weston (Age 28) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Robert and Mary Weston, of New Ferry, Cheshire; husband of Ann Frances Weston, of New Ferry.

Serjeant Robert Weston (Age 29) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France.       

VC Winner…

1982: Herbert Jones of Parachute Regiment in Falklands War, Goose Green, Falkland Islands.

Also…. 

1940 – massacre of British troops at  Wormhoudt by the SS (see above)

happy birthday…

1908 – Ian Fleming

101 years ago today 27/5/1915: Private H McGrue 2nd Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.               

Private  RF Clark 1st Bn. Tuileries British Cemetery, Belgium.       

Private John William Barber (Age 25) 1st Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Husband of the Late Ethel Barber.

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

100 years ago today 27/5/1916: Lance Corporal C Webb 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.        

Private William Swindells (Age 23) 6th Bn. Brown’S Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France. Son of Mary Emma Swindells, of 12, Chadkirk, Romiley, Stockport.

Private M Corcoran (Age 22) 16th Bn. Merville Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Martin and Margaret Corcoran, of Sunderland.

Major Maurice Alexander Napier (Age 29) Rue-Du-Bacquerot (13^th London) Graveyard, Laventie, France. Son of Arundel Berkeley Napier and Celia Jane Napier, of 26, St. James Square, Bath.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Raymond Allday (Age 27) 2nd Bn. Hondschoote Communal Cemetery, France. Husband of Emily Allday, of Huyton, Lancashire.

Private Thomas John Austin (Age 28) 6th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Austin; husband of May Theresa Austin, of Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.

Private George Davison 4th Bn. Cassel Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Lance Corporal George Henry Devenport (Age 35) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of James and Polly Devenport; husband of Kathleen Devenport, of Chester.

Private William Hodgkinson (Age 30) Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of John and Maria Hodgkinson; husband of Lily Hodgkinson.

Private Patrick Joseph Murray (Age 30) Dunkirk Memorial, France.           

Private Samuel Mutch (Age 25) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Son of Ernest and A. A. Mutch, of Audenshaw, Lancashire.

Private Donald Iven McKenzie (Age 24) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Robert and Beatrice McKenzie, and step son of Norah J. McKenzie, of Higher Bebington, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal Harold Swetnam (Age 21) 4th Bn. Socx Churchyard, France. Son of Herbert and Martha Swetnam, of Liverpool.

Lance Serjeant Edward Thompson (Age 33) 4th Bn. Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France. Son of Matthew and Rebecca Thompson; husband of Annie Thompson, of East Howdon-On-Tyne, Northumberland.

Lance Corporal William Francis Thornton (Age 23) 4th Bn. Cassel Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of William and Margaret Thornton, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Private James Turner (Age 21) 4th Bn. Ledringhem Churchyard, France. Son of James and Jane Turner, of Bolton. Lancashire.

Private Harry William Williams (Age 21) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of Harry William and Florence Mary Williams; nephew of Mrs. M. Lawton, of Birkenhead.

VC Winner…

1918: George Grogan of Worcestershire Regiment in WW1, River Aisne, France.

1918: Joel Halliwell of Lancashire Fusiliers in WW1, Muscourt, France.

1942: Henry Foote of 7th Royal Tank Regiment in WW2, Libya.

Also…

1941 – Bismarck sinks (over 2000 lost)

1942 – Reinhard Heydrich wounded (fatally) in Prague

101 years ago today 26/5/1915: Private J Carter 2nd Bn. Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France.

100 years ago today 26/5/1916: Private R Orritt 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Private  T Richards 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Private  J Brown 16th Bn. St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue, France.

Also…

1940 – start of Operation Dynamo

happy birthday…

1650 – John Churchill

1867 – Mary of Teck

1907 – John Wayne

1909 – Sir Matt Busby

100 years ago today 25/5/1916:

Private GA Bennett 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Lance Serjeant J Miller 11th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Private J Hudson 1st/6th Bn. Brown’S Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Frederick Leary (Age 19) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France. Son of Edwin and Maud Leary, of Scarrington, Nottinghamshire.

VC Winner…

1915: Leonard Keyworth of London Regiment in WW1, Givenchy, France.

happy birthday…

1889 – Günther Lütjens (captain of Bismarck)

101 years ago today 24/5/1915: Second Lieutenant Thomas Roberts (Age 22) 2nd Bn. Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Mr. J. W. and Mrs. C. M. Roberts, of Woodbine Cottage, Swansea Rd., Llanelly.

Private Shadrack Critchley (Age 35) 3rd Bn. Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial, United Kingdom.               

Serjeant T Watkin (Age 29) 2nd Bn. Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. Son of Mrs. M. A. Watkin, of 18, Clive St., Taunton Rd., Ashton-Under-Lyne.

Private AWH West 2nd Bn. Klein-Vierstraat British Cemetery, Belgium.   

Private W Dyson 2nd Bn. White House Cemetery, St. Jean-Les-Ypres, Belgium.    

Commemorated on Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Captain Charles Raymond Andrews (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Son of Mrs. A. G. Andrews, of 6, Ennismore Gardens, Dover, and the late Lt. Col. R. C. Andrews (Indian Army).

Private Richard Boon.

Second Lieutenant John Edward Gresson 3rd Bn.              

Regimental Serjeant Major Alfred Ernest Hayward (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Son of Mrs. Merrill Jackson, of 62, Humphries St., Emscote, Warwick.

Private William Hyde.

Second Lieutenant Hugh Hathorn Nicholson 2nd Bn.       

Private James Randall (Age 47) 2nd Bn. Husband of Mary Ellen Randall, of 20, John St., Stockport.

Corporal Arthur Samuel Roberts (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Son of Arthur Samuel and Mary Annie Roberts, of 21, Cromwell St., Hyde Rd., West Gorton, Manchester.

Private Frederick Taylor 2nd Bn.

Second Lieutenant Walter Henry Mountiford Westropp-Dawson (Age 22) 2nd Bn. Son of Frank and L. C. Westropp-Dawson, of “Frondeg,” Holyhead.

Private William Brown Wood 2nd Bn.

100 years ago today 24/5/1916: Private W Knight (Age 20) 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Knight, of Church Cottages, Overton, Frodsham, Warrington.

Lance Corporal James Pemberton (Age 20) “B” Coy. 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Arthur and Sarah Pemberton, of 12, Nelson St., Congleton, Cheshire.

Private W Turner 10th Bn. Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.     

Lance Corporal RT Riley (Age 21) “D” Coy. 11th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Philip and Mary Riley, of 73, Hawthorn Grove, Seacombe, Wallasey, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal Charles Ernest Farr (Age 20) 1st Bn. Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. Son of William and Louisa Farr, of Binbrook, Lincoln. Born at Farnsfield, Notts.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private John Patrick O’Connor (Age 19) 2nd Bn. Hondschoote Communal Cemetery, France.

1946: Private Joseph Sprague (Age 34) Widnes Cemetery, United Kingdom.

1947: Private Harold Bishop (Age 43) Bacup (Fairwell) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

VC Winner…

1943: Gaje Ghale of 5th Gurkha Rifles in WW2, Chin Hills, Burma.

1944: John Mahony of Westminster Regiment in WW2, River Melfa, Italy.

1941: Malcolm Wanklyn of HMS Upholder in WW2, Sicily, Mediterranean Sea.

1969: Keith Payne of Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in Vietnam War, Ben Het, Vietnam.

Also…

1941 – Bismarck sinks HMS Hood (only three survivors)

happy birthday…

1819- Queen Victoria

1916 – Roden Cutler VC (I once worked as a volunteer at a Sydney museum and handled his uniform (he wasn’t in it at the time!))

1966 – Eric Cantona

101 years ago today 23/5/1915: Private Leonard Taylor 16th Bn. Leeds (Upper and Lower Wortley) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private William Mossop (Age 22) 1st Bn. Manchester Southern Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Mrs. Nellie Mossop, of 110, Main Rd., Moss Side, Manchester. Born at Queensland, Australia.

100 years ago today 23/5/1916: Private E Cox 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Private George Jackson (Age 22) 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Mrs. E. Williams, of Rock Ferry, Cheshire.

Private TD Croke (Age 21) 1st/6th Bn. Calais Southern Cemetery, France. Son of Michael and Norah Croke, of 158, Brierley Street, Stalybridge, Cheshire.

Private Cornelius Duckett (Age 28) “C” Coy. 11th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Frederick and Emma Duckett, of Runcorn; husband of Barbara Duckett, of 4, Swan St., Crossfields, Halifax, Yorks.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Gordon Frederick Eustace Hewett (Age 20) 2nd Bn. Ramegnies-Chin Churchyard, Belgium. Son of Eleanor Mabel Hewett, of Reading, Berkshire.

1944: Private William North MID (Age 31) 7th Bn. Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy.

VC Winner…

1858: Harry Lyster of 72nd Bengal Native Infantry in Indian Mutiny, Calpee, India.

Also…

1533 – Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon marriage declared null

1618 – second (not the first/only) de-fenestration of Prague 

1934 – Bonnie and Clyde killed by police

happy birthday…

1959 – Bob Mortimer

101 years ago today 22/5/1915: Private J Duggan 2nd Bn. Roeselare Communal Cemetery, Belgium.

100 years ago today 22/5/1916: Private John Pyke (Age 22) 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Son of James and Elizabeth Pyke, of Liverpool Rd., Neston, Birkenhead.

Lance Corporal Daniel Trueman (Age 35) 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Son of Samuel and Ellen Trueman, of Sandbach; husband of Sarah Challinor (formerly Trueman), of 103, Union St., Sandbach, Cheshire.

Private James Forster (Age 25) “C” Coy. 10th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of William Forster, of 14, Liverpool St., Northwich, Cheshire.

Private ET Morris 7th Bn. Chester (Overleigh) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private John William Taylor (Age 21) 10th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Joseph and Jane Ann Taylor, of 42, Water St., Bollington, Nr. Macclesfield.

Private Joseph Costello (Age 50) 1st Garrison Bn. Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Gibraltar. Husband of Agnes Costello, of 39, Gt., Egerton St., Stockport.

Private Walter Green (Age 26) 13th Bn.  St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. Son of Annie Green, of 353 Nelson Rd., Rock Ferry, Birkenhead.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Serjeant George Bayley (Age 27) 2nd Bn. Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France.    

Private Peter Colin Francis John Pratt (Age 21) 4th Bn. Bruyelle War Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Mrs. A. A. Pratt, of Davenport, Stockport, Cheshire.

Serjeant Leonard Horace Pursell (Age 36) 2nd Bn. Pecq Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of George and Beatrice Pursell; husband of Florence Louise Pursell, of Ruislip Manor, Middlesex.

VC Winner…

1915: William Mariner of King’s Royal Rifle Corps in WW1, Cambrin, France.

1941: Charles Upham of 2nd Division, NZEF in WW2, Crete, Greece.

Also…

1840 – transportation of convicts to NSW stopped

happy birthday…

1859 – Arthur Conan Doyle

1907 – Laurence Olivier (he was the voice over for the 1970’s show “The World at War”, he said the line “Remember them all” (in the last episode), which this blog is named after)

1946 – George Best (Man Utd)

1959 – Morrissey