101 years ago today 18/5/1915: Lance Corporal Arthur David Hughes (Age 21) 5th Bn. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Son of Edward and Emily Hughes, of 27, Gladstone Avenue, Chester.

100 years ago today 18/5/1916: Corporal Jack Florance (Age 29) 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Son of Jack and L. Florance; husband of Mrs. F. E. A. Sullivan (formerly Florance), of “Clonmore,” Short St., Cooks Avenue, Canterbury, Sydney, Australia.

Private G Chesters (Age 19) 11th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Alfred and Mary Chesters, of Red Hill Cottages, Tarporley, Cheshire.

Private Richard Davies 10th Bn. Loos Memorial, France. 

Serjeant W Lowther 15th Bn. Pont-Du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France.            

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Thomas Woodburn Johnson (Age 20) 4th Bn. Isieres Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Thomas and Annie Johnson, of Wallasey, Cheshire.

Private Percy Alexander McCormick (Age 21) 4th Bn. Isieres Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of George Alexander McCormick and Frederica Louise McCormick, of Wallasey, Cheshire; husband of Margaret Elaine McCormick, of Wallasey.

VC Winner…

1901: Gustavus Coulson of King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 2nd Boer War, Lambrechtfontein, South Africa.

1915: John Smyth of 15th Ludhiana Sikhs in WW1, Richebourg L’Aouve, France.

1941: Alfred Sephton of HMS Coventry in WW2, Crete, Mediterranean Sea.

Also…

1302 – massacre of French troops by Flemish militia in Bruges (lovely spot Bruges)

1944 – Monte Cassino

1944 – deportation of Crimean Tatars (hence ‘1944’ winning Eurovision Song Contest)

happy birthday…

1920 – Pope John Paul II

1970 – Tina Fey

101 years ago today 17/5/1915: Private E Powell 2nd Bn. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.   

Second Lieutenant Arthur Blackaby 2nd Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Husband of Edith Blackaby, of 22 Briscoe Road, Hoddesdon, Herts.

100 years ago today 17/5/1916: Lance Corporal William Thomas Dodd (Age 25) 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of William Andrew and Mary Dodd, of 53, Vernon Rd., Chester.

Lance Corporal Joseph Hughes (Age 35) 11th Bn.                Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Henry and Margaret Hughes.

Private  H Smith (Age 20) 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Samuel and Annie Smith, of Carr Gate Farm, Saughall Massie, Moreton, Birkenhead.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Douglas Henry Atherton (Age 22) 4th Bn. Isieres Communal Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Henry Percy and Alice Esther Atherton, of Chester.

Warrant Officer Class II James Davenport (Age 35) 2nd Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of James William and Clara Davenport; husband of Laura Kathleen Davenport, of Ludgershall, Hampshire.

1943: Private Charles Carruthers 6th Bn. Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, United Kingdom.        

VC Winner…

1940: Christopher Furness of Welsh Guards in WW2, Arras, France.

Also…

1521 – Edward Stafford (Duke of Buckingham) executed (Henry VIII)

1526 – George Boleyn (Anne’s brother) executed (Henry VIII)

1900 – Mafeking relieved (phew!)

1943 – Operation “Chastise” Dambusters raid……..

Happy birthday…

1749 – Edward Jenner(cheers for inoculations)

101 years ago today 16/5/1915: Private JW Scott 3rd Bn. Dukinfield Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Jordan Bradbury (Age 28) 2nd Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Husband of Eliza J. Bradbury, of 5, Stanyford St., Hadfield, Manchester.

100 years ago today 16/5/1916: Private WE Capper 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.    

Private W Caton (Age 20) 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Mary Caton, of 55, Cambridge Rd., Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Lance Corporal George Hayes (Age 37) 2nd Bn. Tournai Communal Cemetery Allied Extension, Belgium. Son of James and Sarah Alice Hayes, of Stockport, Cheshire.

1945: Lieutenant John Newby Craddock (Age 21) Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Son of Reginald Walter and Margaret Eva Craddock, of Darlington, Co. Durham.

VC Winner…

1901: Frederick Bell of West Australian Mounted Infantry in 2nd Boer War, Transvaal, South Africa.

1915: Frederick Barter of Royal Welsh Fusiliers in WW1, Festubert, France.

1915: Joseph Tombs of King’s (Liverpool Regiment) in WW1, Rue du Bois, France.

1943: Guy Gibson of No. 617 Squadron RAF in WW2, Möhne Dam, Germany –  Dam Buster.

1944: Francis Jefferson of Lancashire Fusiliers in WW2, Monte Cassino, Italy.

Also…

1943 – Warsaw ghetto uprising ends

1966 – Cultural Revolution begins in China

100 years ago today 15/5/1916:

Lance Corporal John Robert Chambers (Age 25) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Robert and Emma Chambers, of 66, Upper Warwick St., Liverpool.

Private Frederick Richard Kitchen (Age 36) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Edward and Mary Kitchen, of Fountain St., Higher Tranmere; husband of Martha Kitchen, of 5, Mill St., Higher Tranmere, Birkenhead. An employee of Lever Bros., Port Sunlight.

Private Henry McCarrey (Age 25) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Mrs. Jane McCarrey, of 7, Warden St., Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

Lance Corporal Harry Pounall (Age 18) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Joseph and Sarah Pounall, of 26, Rudd St., Hoylake, Cheshire.

Private Benjamin Ridyard (Age 36) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of William Ridyard; husband of Elizabeth Ridyard, of 22 Back, Demesne St., Stalybridge.

Private Frederick Smith 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France                .

Private Thomas Wood (Age 26) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Henry and Mary Wood, of 37, Grove St., New Ferry, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Private Hugh Smith (Age 29) 1st Bn. Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. Husband of Margaret Coyne (formerly Smith), of 5, Upper Luke St., Toxteth Park, Liverpool.

Second Lieutenant Ernest Harold Bates (Age 26) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of James and Cissie Bates, of 6, Blomfield Crescent, Paddington, London.

Private P Callaghan 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.   

Private W Clegg 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.         

Private Robert Jones (Age 26) 11th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Jack and Alice Jones, of 52, Ince St., Heaton Norris, Stockport; husband of Mary Ellen Jones, of 9, Heapriding St., Brinksway, Stockport.

Lance Corporal Jeremiah Joseph Sheehan 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Husband of Catherine Sheehan.

Private  D Wakefield (Age 21) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Annie Wakefield, of Cuddington, Northwich, Cheshire.

Private  J Weaver (Age 21) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Thomas and Margaret Weaver, of Barton Wells, Malpas, Cheshire.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1943: Private Stephen Henry Cowell (Age 42) Douglas Cemetery, Isle of Man, United Kingdom. Son of William and Eliza Cowell, of Douglas; husband of Eva Cowell, of Douglas.

VC Winner…

1917: Joseph Watt of Royal Naval Reserve in WW1, Straits of Otranto, Italy.

1940: Richard Annand of Durham Light Infantry in WW2, River Dyle, Belgium.

1945: Edward Kenna of 2/4th Battalion, AIF in WW2, Wewak, New Guinea.

Also…

1536 – Ann Boleyn trial begins

happy birthday…

1863 – Sir Frank Hornby

100 years ago today 14/5/1916: Private Andrew Dillon (Age 29) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of James Dillon, of 34, Bromborough Rd., Lower Bebington, Cheshire; husband of the late Florence Gore Dillon.

Private James Donnelly (Age 25) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Thomas and Catherine Donnelly, of 60, Roslyn St., Lower Tranmere, Birkenhead.

Private Rowland Gaukroger (Age 34) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Brother of Miss Gaukroger, of 10, Joseph St., Littleborough, Manchester.

Private  J Coyle 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France.            

Private Robert Norris (Age 31) 13th Bn. Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Son of Richard and Margaret Norris, of 77, Towson St., Liverpool.

Private Harold (Age 26) “D” Coy. 1st/4th Bn. Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Son of Joseph and Hannah Jane Saxon.

Corporal Fredrick Brown (Age 24) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Mrs. E. Brown, of Liverpool.

Private  P Carey (Age 39) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Catherine Huntington, of 34, Fair View Avenue, Liscard, Cheshire.

Second Lieutenant Arthur Edmund Gould (Age 31) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of James George and Alice Mary Gould, of “Rocklands,” 109, Crouch Hill, London.

Private A Thayer 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Nephew of Joseph Jackson, of 166, Brook St., Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal GH Watson 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.   

Private Albert Oliver Williams (Age 25) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of Liverpool.

Private R Irwin 13th Bn. Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Lance Corporal Thomas Gavin (Age 31) 2nd Bn. Huldenberg Churchyard, Belgium. Son of Patrick and Mary Gavin; husband of Christina Gavin, of Sutton Leach, St. Helens, Lancashire.

1944: Second Lieutenant John Christopher Gribble (Age 22) 4th Bn. St. Austell Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Leslie E. C. Gribble and Phyllis Gribble, Of St. Austell.

Also…

1607 – Jamestown, VA settled

1796 – first smallpox inoculation given by Edward Jenner

1973 – Skylab launched

happy birthday…

1926 – Eric Morecombe

1940 – Col. H Jones VC

100 years ago today 13/5/1916: Lance Serjeant Arthur Cawley Acton (Age 21) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of James Acton, of 33, Brownlow Rd., New Ferry, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal William Blundell (Age 23) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of Mrs. Alice Blundell, of 52, Chatham Rd., Rock Ferry, Cheshire.

Serjeant Frederick William Goodger 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France.     

Lance Corporal William George Hughes (Age 24) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son of George and Sarah Jane Hughes, of 4, Brook St., Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Private Francis Strutt (Age 29) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son pf William and Rose Strutt, of Arundal Alton Park Rd., Clacton-On-Sea; husband of Charlotte Strutt of 6, Findlater St., Sandycove, Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin.

Private Harry Whitby (Age 26) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France. Son oh Harry and Martha Ann Whitby, of Cromers Lake, Frodsham, Warrington.

Private Frederick Breslin (Age 25) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of George and Margaret Breslin, of Hanmer, Salop.

Private R Fabby (Age 36) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Husband of Mrs. A. Fabby, of Little Sutton, Cheshire.

Private  H Kerr (Age 21) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Mrs. M. Kerr, of 152, New Chester Rd., Lower Tranmere, Birkenhead. Born at Birkenhead.

Private J Owens (Age 31) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Husband of M. E. Owens, of 97, Bebington Rd., Port Sunlight, Cheshire.

Private George Parsons 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Husband of C. Parsons, of Rock Ferry, Cheshire.

Private Frank Selby 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.   

Private Henry Shakeshaft (Age 21) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Rosalie and the late Isaac Shakeshaft, of Hoylake, Cheshire.

Lance Corporal Edwin Arnold (Age 21) 8th Bn. Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India. Son of W. H. and Isabella Arnold, of 1, Oak Lane, Kerridge, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

Private William John Kearns (Age 34) 10th Bn. Loos Memorial, France. Son of Mrs. Catherine Kearns, of Rathowen, Killala, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Private  W Davenport 10th Bn. St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

VC Winner…

1915: Douglas Belcher of London Regiment in WW1, Wieltje–Saint-Julien Road, Belgium.

1944: Richard Wakeford of Hampshire Regiment in WW2, Cassino, Italy.

Also…

1515 – Mary Tudor and Charles Brandon marry

1787 – first fleet leaves Portsmouth, on way to Australia

1940 -Churchill makes “blood, toil, tears, sweat”

1943 – Axis forces in North Africa surrender

happy birthday…

1956 – Richard Madeley

1964 – Stephen Colbert

101 years ago today 12/5/1915: Private Thomas Reginald Brickell (Age 16) 2nd Bn. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Son of Mrs. A. M. Brickell, of 71, Crabtree Rd., Brookfields, Birmingham, and the late Pte. T. Brickell (Oxf. and Bucks Light Inf.), who also fell.

Private Robert Ford (Age 44) 1st Bn. Chester (Overleigh) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Robert and Elizabeth Ford, Of Chester; husband of Mary Ann Ford, of 3, Poker’S Court, Castle St., Chester.

Private JW Hayes (Age 21) 5th Bn. Divisional Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Wilfred Thomas and Catherine Jane Hayes, of 20, George St., Bamton, Northwich.

Private J Laidler (Age 16) 2nd Bn. Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France.        

Serjeant Joseph Wood (Age 32) 2nd Bn. Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France. (Served as Edwards). Husband of Elizabeth Ann Wood, of 24, Densmore St., Failsworth, Manchester.

Private Dominick Kirwin (Age 27) 2nd Bn. St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. Brother of Kate Kirwin, of 56, Upper Leeson St., Dublin.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private James Walsh (Age 25) 7th Bn. O.-L.-V.-Lombeek Churchyard, Belgium. Son of James and Esther Ann Walsh J husband of Vera Walsh, of Altrincham, Cheshire.

1943: Private Herbert Stevenson (Age 31) 7th Bn. Delhi War Cemetery, India.

VC Winner…

1917: Tom Dresser of Green Howards in WW1, Roeux, France.

1917: Rupert Moon of 58th Battalion, AIF in WW1, Bullecourt, France.

1940: Donald Garland of No. 12 Squadron RAF in WW2, Albert Canal, Belgium.

1940: Thomas Gray of No. 12 Squadron RAF in WW2, Albert Canal, Belgium.

1945: Lachhiman Gurung of 8th Gurkha Rifles in WW2, Taungdaw, Burma.

1945: John Mackey of 2/3rd Pioneer Battalion, AIF in WW2, Tarakan Island, Borneo.

1944: Kamal Ram of 8th Punjab Regiment in WW2, River Gari, Italy.

Also…

1926 – General Strike ends

1942 – Second battle of Kharkov

1968 – battle of Coral

happy birthday…

1924 – Tony Hancock

1925 – Yogi Berra

1928 – Burt Bacharach

1942 – Ian Dury

1967 –  Bill Shorten

1975 – Jonah Lomu

100 years ago today 11/5/1916: Lance Serjeant Frank Dodd 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France.      

Private J Greenwood 2nd Garrison Bn. Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.      

Private H McDonald (Age33) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Husband of Margaret McDonald, of 10, Midland St., Birkenhead, Cheshire.

Serjeant JJ McNally 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France.   

Private JH Ward (Age 26) 13th Bn. Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St. Eloi, France. Son of Hugh and Annie Ward, of County Armagh, Ireland.

Private  AE Brock (Age 31) 1st Bn. Haslington (St. Matthew) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Husband of Maud Brock, of 12, Bold St., Haslington.

Private  F Johnson 14th Bn. Marthall (All Saints) Churchyard, United Kingdom.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Second Lieutenant Denis Barrett 7th Bn. O.-L.-V.-Lombeek Churchyard, Belgium.  

1943: Private Frederick Oakes (Age 22) 30th Bn. Pelton Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Frederick and Margaret Oakes, of Pelton.

VC Winner…

1855: Thomas Hamilton of 68th Regiment of Foot in Crimea, Sevastopol, Crimea.

1857: John Buckley of Commissariat Department in Indian Mutiny, Delhi, India.

1857: George Forrest of Bengal Veterans Establishment in Indian Mutiny, Delhi, India.

1857: William Raynor of Bengal Veterans Establishment in Indian Mutiny, Delhi, India.

Also…

1945 – USS Bunker Hill hit by 2 kamikazes, killing 346 sailors (the ship survived)

1949 – Israel joins UN (I bet they wonder why they bothered!)

1960 – Mossad agents capture Adolf Eichmann in Argentina (well done lads)

1985 – Bradford City FC fire….

1987 – Klaus Barbie trial

happy birthday…

1875 – Harriet Quimby (see April 16th)

1904 – Salvador Dali

100 years ago today 10/5/1916: Private Edwin Proudlove (Age 16) 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq. Son of Alick and Annie Winifred Proudlove, of Bromley Farm, Congleton, Cheshire.

Private JJ Comerford 6th Bn. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France. 

Private John Thomas Halford (Age 25) 6th Bn. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France. Son of the late William and Isabella Halford.

Serjeant Albert Victor Reid (Age 20) 6th Bn. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France. Son of Eliza Reid, of 3, Meadow Lane, Dukinfield, Cheshire.

Private Edgar Cooper (Age 23) 13th Bn. Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. Son of Thomas and Annie Cooper.

Private J. Ward Oldham (Age 40) 3rd Bn.                Stockport Borough Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of Elizabeth Oldham, of 12, St. James St., Newbridge Lane, Stockport.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1940: Private Thomas Edward Connell (Age 21) 4th Bn. Wormhoudt Communal Cemetery, France.

Private Mark Garnett (Age 19) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of John William and Edith Annie Garnett.

Corporal James O’Neil (Age 33) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of James and Elizabeth O’Neil; husband of Mary O’Neil, of Byker, Northumberland.

1941: Private Albert Blay (Age 34) Maidenhead Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Frederick and Louisa Blay, of Maidenhead; Husband of Phyllis Ida Blay, of Maidenhead.

1942: Private Stephen Scholey (Age 25) 1st Bn. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Son of Stephen and Isabella Scholey, of Oldham, Lancashire.

Also…

1857 – Sepoys mutiny begins

1940 – German’s attack the Low Countries; oh…and Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister

1941 – Rudolf Hess lands in Scotland

Happy birthday…

1838 – John Wilkes Booth

1890 – Alfred Jodl

100 years ago today 9/5/1916: Private W Bowyer 8th Bn. Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.     

Private GE Cottingham (Age 18) 10th Bn. Le Treport Military Cemetery, France. Son of George Graham and Frances Cottingham, of Altrincham, Cheshire.

Corporal LC Emery 2nd/6th Bn. Stockport Borough Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1942: Private Leonard Harvey (Age 31) 1st Bn. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.   

Private Lindon Lever (Age 25) 1st Bn. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.      

Corporal Thomas Patrick Maloney (Age 35) 1st Bn. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Son of Thomas and Cathrine Maloney, of Ballinagore, Co. West Meath, Irish Republic.

Private  Raymond Small (Age 23) 1st Bn. Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. Son of Leonard and Edith Elizabeth Lucy Small, of Alvaston, Derby. His brother Leonard also died on Service.

1943: Private Frederick Francis Snape (Age 21) 6th Bn. Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.

VC Winner…

1918: Rowland Bourke of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in WW1, Ostend, Belgium.

1918: Victor Crutchley of HMS Vindictive in WW1, Ostend, Belgium.

1918: Geoffrey Drummond of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in WW1, Ostend, Belgium.

1915: David Finlay of Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in WW1, Rue du Bois, France.

1915: John Ripley of Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) in WW1, Rue du Bois, France.

1915: Charles Sharpe of Lincolnshire Regiment in WW1, Rouges Bancs, France.

1915: James Upton of Sherwood Foresters in WW1, Rouges Bancs, France.

Also…

1092 – Lincoln  Cathedral consecrated

1941 – Royal Navy capture U-110 with her Enigma machine

1945 – Soviet VE Day (lets not forget the men and women of the Red Army)

happy birthday…

1874 – Howard Carter

1930 – Joan Sims

1949 – Billy Joel