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 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

 

 

100 years ago today 21/3/1916: Private C Reeder 16th Bn. Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

Private WA Halton 3rd Bn. Hyde Borough Cemetery, United Kingdom.

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1945: Private Edward Dean (Age 31) 1st Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

 

VC Winner…

1891: Charles Grant of Indian Staff Corps in Manipur Expedition, Thobal, Burma

1918: Ernest Beal of Green Howards in WW1, Saint-Léger, France

1918: John Buchan of Princess Louises’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) in WW1, Marteville, France

1918: Edmund De Wind of Royal Irish Rifles in WW1, Grugies, France

1918: Wilfrith Elstob of Manchester Regiment in WW1, Saint-Quentin, France

1918: Reginald Hayward of Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) in WW1, Frémicourt, France

1918: Basil Horsfall of East Lancashire Regiment in WW1, Moyenneville, France

1918: Manley James of Gloucestershire Regiment in WW1, Velu Wood, France

1918: Allan Ker of Gordon Highlanders in WW1, Saint-Quentin, France

1918: John Sayer of Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment in WW1, Le Verguier, France

1918: Charles Stone of Royal Field Artillery in WW1, Caponne Farm, France

1945: Claud Raymond of Corps of Royal Engineers in WW2, Talaku, Burma

  

101 years ago today 19/3/1915: Private H Adkinson 7th Bn. attd. 5th Bn. Bailleul Communal Cemetery, Nord                France.

Private J Oates 5th Bn. Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

100 years ago today 19/3/1916: Second Lieutenant Milton Gordon Girod (Age 23) MID 3rd Bn. Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Son of Ernest and Annie Girod (nee Pankhurst), of 52, Rue Servan. Paris. Born at Leeds.

 

VC Winner…

1858: William Bankes of 7th Queen’s Own Hussars in Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, India

1858: Robert Newell of 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers in Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, India

1858: David Rushe of 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers in Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, India

 

Also…

1932 – Sydney Harbour Bridge opened

happy birthday…

1813 – David Livingstone

1848 – Wyatt Earp

1905 – Albert Speer

1905 – Adolf Eichmann

1921 – Tommy Cooper

 

101 years ago today 18/3/1915: Private Leonard Ormes (Age 17) 1st Bn. Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Son of Arthur and Henrietta Ormes, of Nantwich, Cheshire.

Private Thomas David Jones (Age 21) 5th Bn. Nieuwkerke (Neuve-Eglise) Churchyard, Belgium. Son of John and Mary Jones, of 11, Conway St., Mold.

 

100 years ago today 18/3/1916: Private John Emery (Age 16) 9th Bn. St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue, France. Son of Edith Kinsey (formerly Emery), of 16, Fosbrook St., Boughton, Chester, and the late Alonzo Emery. Born at Wervin, Chester.

Private Austin Robinson (Age 32) 11th Bn. Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France. Son of James and Mary Robinson, of 26, Wheatland Lane, Seacombe; husband of Susannah Robinson, of 9, Fell St., Seacombe, Cheshire.

 

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1942: Private James McIntyre (Age 22) 2nd Bn. Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya. Son of Hugh and Ellen McIntyre, of Kirkdale, Liverpool.

1945: Private Esmond Witts Beckett (Age 18) 1st Bn. Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands. Son of William Arthur and Florence Nellie Beckett, of Hednesford, Staffordshire.

Private John William Hemmings (Age 19) 1st Bn. Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands. Son of William Fredrick and Gertrude Maud Hemmings, of Trent Vale, Stoke-On-Trent.

 

VC Winner…

1861: John Lucas of 40th Regiment of Foot in First Taranaki War, Waitara, New Zealand

1945: Karamjeet Judge of 15th Punjab Regiment in WW2, Meiktila, Burma

Also…

1915 – three allied ships sunk in Dardanelles…hey I know, put in some ground troops that could just do it!

1985 – first episode of Neighbours aired

happy birthday…

1869 – Neville Chamberlain (got a bad press but trying to prevent a repeat of WW1 was worth a shot)

1893 – Wilfred Owen

1939 – Ron Atkinson

1941 – Wilson Pickett

1949 – Alex Higgins

 

99 years ago today 17/3/1917: Private AE Saunders (Age 20) 23rd Bn. Crewe Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Mrs. M. E. Saunders, of 92, Broad St., Coppenhall, Crewe.

Private BS Kelly 52nd Bn. Kirk Braddan (St. Brendan) New Churchyard, United Kingdom.

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1943: Serjeant George Thomas Ball (Age 36) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Thomas and Margaret Ball; husband of Lilian Ball, of Brentford, Middlesex.

Serjeant Frank Johnson (Age 25) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia. Son of Margaret Johnson, and Stepson of T. Williamson. of Nantwich, Cheshire.

Serjeant Alexander Sherriff (Age 32) 2nd Bn. Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

 

VC Winner…

1858: Richard Keatinge of Bombay Artillery in Indian Mutiny, Chundairee, India.

1879: Edward Leach of Royal Engineers & Bengal Sappers and Miners in 2nd Afghan War, Khyber Pass, Afghanistan.

 

happy birthday….

1880 – Lawrence “Titus” Oates (also does this day 1912 with Scott…”I’m going outside, I may be sometime”)

 

 

 

100 years ago today 15/3/1916: Private James Phelan (Age 24) 13th Bn. Arras Memorial, France.

Private J Cullen (Age 23) 9th Bn. Calais Southern Cemetery, France. Son of Luke and Mary Cullen, of Higher Tramnere, Birkenhead.

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1945: Private Ernest James Grendall (Age 26) 4th Bn. Dunkirk Memorial, France. Son of William Grendall, and of Lily May Grendall, of Coney Hill, Gloucester.

Also: 15th…the Ides of March

44BC – Julius Caesar assassinated

1892 – Liverpool FC founded (on yer scousers)

101 years ago today 13/3/1915: Private Isaac Cadman 31st Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Private S Davenport 1st Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

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

 

100 years ago today 13/3/1916: Corporal J Adams 16th Bn. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1941: Private William Brown (Age 28) 8th Bn. Cheadle and Gatley Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Charles and Alice Brown, of Cheadle.

Serjeant Charles Williscroft 8th (H.D.) Bn. Rugeley Cemetery, United Kingdom.

1944: Private Frederick Hayes (Age 28) 7th Bn. Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Son of Frederick and Marie Hayes, of Stockport, Cheshire.

Private Douglas Stapleton McGreevy (Age 21) 7th Bn. Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy. Son of George Herbert and Frances McGreevy, of West Kirby, Cheshire.

 

VC Winner…

1858: Edward Robinson of Naval Brigade in Indian Mutiny, Lucknow, India

1884: Thomas Edwards of Black Watch in Sudan Campaign, Tamai, Sudan

1884: Percival Marling of King’s Royal Rifle Corps in Sudan Campaign, Tamai, Sudan

1892: William Gordon of West India Regiment in The Gambia, Toniataba, Gambia

1900: Henry Engleheart of 10th Hussars in 2nd Boer War, Bloemfontein, South Africa

1917: Christopher Cox of Bedfordshire Regiment in WW1, Achiet-le-Grand, France

1944: George Cairns of South Staffordshire Regiment in WW2, Henu Block, Burma

 

Also……

1943 – Jewish ghetto Warsaw liquidated

1954 – battle of Dien Bien Phu begins

 

101 years ago today 12/3/1915: Private George Wardle 2nd Bn. Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Private J Carter 1st Bn. Poperinghe Old Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private WH Deakin 1st Bn. Spoilbank Cemetery, Belgium.

Private E Ellis 2nd Bn. St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Private F Handforth (Age 20) 2nd Bn. Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Elizabeth Belfield (formerly Handforth), of 28, George St. West, Macclesfield, and the late Ralph Handforth.

Private JW Kane 2nd Bn. Wulverghem-Lindenhoek Road Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

100 years ago today 12/3/1916: Company Quartermaster Serjeant P Kelly (Age 36) 14th Bn. Birkenhead (Flaybrick Hill) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son pf Patrick and Rose Ann Kelly, of 16, Green Lane, Tranmere, Birkenhead.

Private JJ McCue 16th Bn. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France.

 

Meanwhile in World War 2:

1941: Private William John Amos 8th (H.D.) Bn.  Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Lance Corporal Donald William T. Beasley 8th (H.D.) Bn. Evesham (Bengeworth) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Mrs. F.S.A. Beasley, of Evesham.

Corporal Edward James Bell (Age 20) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Liverpool (Yew Tree) Roman Catholic Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of James and Margaret Bell, of Everton, Liverpool.

Private John Berry 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birmingham (Handsworth) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of Annie Berry, of Handsworth, Birmingham.

Private Arthur Boardman 8th (H.D.) Bn.  Stockport Borough Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of Elsa Boardman, of Dowlais Glamorgan.

Private Harry Casey 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Carl Robert Coulstring (Age 23) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Arthur Alex and Minnie May Coulstring, of Wellington Station, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia, Canada.

Private Alec Dale 8th (H.D.) Bn. Sandbach (St. Mary) Churchyard, United Kingdom.

Private James Henry Osmond Dodd 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Flaybrick Hill) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private William Gilbert 8th (H.D.) Bn. Audley (St. James) Churchyard, United Kingdom.

Private Denis Frederick Glazier (Age 19) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Hampton Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of George William and Gladys Mary Glazier, of Hampton.

Private Thomas Edgar Hamlin (Age 36) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Gloucester Old Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Ralph and Fanny Hamlin, of Gloucester; husband of Edith Sylvia Hamlin, of Gloucester.

Private Joseph William Harper (Age 35) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Abney Park Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Joseph W. Harper and Jane Harper, of Islington; husband of Florence Amy Harper, of Islington.

Private Frederick Albert Holgate (Age 19) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Joseph Hoye 8th (H.D.) Bn. Macclesfield Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private William Walter Humm (Age 34) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Harrow Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of William Henry and Eleanor Louisa Humm, of Harrow; husband of Mildred Humm. of Poplar, London.

Private John Henry Hyndman 8th (H.D.) Bn. Middlesbrough (Linthorpe) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Joseph Lamb 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Sidney Lee (Age 25) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Fairfield (St. Peter) Churchyard, United Kingdom. Son of Frank William and Florence Lee, of Fairfield, Buxton.

Private Norman Leigh 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private William Albert Price (Age 33) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Worcester (St. John’s) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Geraldine Price, of St. John’s, Worcester.

Private Harold Robinson 8th (H.D.) Bn. Hutton Henry Cemetery, United Kingdom. Husband of Olive Robinson, of Rainton Gate.

Captain Francis Thomas Russell (Age 47) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Glossop Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Joseph and Catherine Russell, of Glossop; husband of Lizzie Russell, of Glossop.

Lance Corporal Albert Edward Smith 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private Geoffrey Leonard Smith 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birmingham (Yardley) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private William Smith (Age 32) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Clay Cross Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of William and Matilda Smith, of Clay Cross.

Warrant Officer Class II Joseph Stages (Age 40) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of John and Veronica Stages; husband of Enid Langford Stages, of Birkenhead.

Serjeant Alfred Stone 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birkenhead (Landican) Cemetery, United Kingdom.

Private George Ernest Henry Symes (Age 24) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Birmingham (Yardley) Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of George Henry and Edith Rosina Symes, of Birmingham.

Private George Tomkinson (Age 22) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Blurton Church Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of George and Ada Tomkinson; husband of Gladys Tomkinson, of Blurton, Stoke-On-Trent.

Private Sydney John Watts (Age 18) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Crewe Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Joseph and Emily Watts, of Crewe.

Private Jack Whittaker (Age 41) 8th (H.D.) Bn. Macclesfield Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Charles and Ada Whittaker, of Macclesfield; husband of Elizabeth Whittaker of Tipton, Staffordshire.

1942: Private John McGing (Age 22) Newcastle-Under-Lyme Cemetery, United Kingdom. Son of Austin and Ellen Mcging, of Newcastle-Under-Lyme.

VC Winner…

1879: Anthony Booth of 80th Regiment of Foot in Zulu War, Battle of Intombe, Transvaal.

1915: William Anderson of Green Howards in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Edward Barber of Grenadier Guards in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Harry Daniels of Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Charles Foss of Bedfordshire Regiment in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Wilfred Fuller of Grenadier Guards in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Cyril Martin of Corps of Royal Engineers in WW1, Spanbroek Molen, Belgium.

1915: Cecil Noble of Prince Consort’s Own (Rifle Brigade) in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.

1915: Jacob Rivers of Sherwood Foresters in WW1, Neuve Chapelle, France.