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2020 WFA Spring Conference and AGM

25th April

Weetwood Hall Hotel, Leeds

Programme

10.20am A Forgotten Navy: Fishermen’s Involvement in the Great War

by Dr. Robb Robinson

11.20am Innovation and Improvisation: The work of the Royal Army

Medical Corps in the Great War

by Dr. Jessica Meyer

1.20pm 1917: A Story in a Story

by Jon Cooksey

2.45pm AGM

Free to Members

You can book the optional £15 buffet lunch by contacting: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alan Kennedy

It is with deep sadness that I have learned of the death of Alan Kennedy. Alan was most helpful whenever the Branch held its monthly meetings at the TA. I have known Alan for 40 years as I used to referee in the Stockport Sunday Football League, also being on the committee for some time and Alan ran Norris Albion FC.

I was able to renew my acquaintance with him as he and his platoon hosted our meetings. Ann also became friendly with him. I am sure the Branch will miss him as much as I will.

Terry Jackson

First tranche of pension records released

Ancestry has been digitising the WWI pension records which the WFA rescued from being pulped. The first 50% have now been done and are available on Ancestry or by going through the WFA main site, the latter method being free for WFA national members.The total number of records to be digitised in this process is eight million.

Buxton Hospitals in the Great War

We have an article from Jackie and Roger Berry on their exploration of Buxton looking for traces of the wartime hospitals - see here.

Search for Relatives of Soldier, John William Beverley

A book wrapped in brown paper found in a cupboard in a house in Milnrow has led to a family history search by two ladies from Huddersfield. The book, ‘To Pay the Price’ by Silas K. Hocking, was a present to a John William Beverley given to him by his cousins, Clara Bell Matthews and May Matthews on his twelfth birthday in December 1900. Even more intriguing was a letter found inside the book from John William Beverley to his mother dated 26 September 1917 from the battlefields of France where he was a soldier.

The discovery of the book and letter led to Oldham where John William Beverley was born on 4 December 1888. A property repairer by trade, he lived with his mother, Martha and Stepfather, Albert Whiteley, until he married Annie Smith (dob circa 1889) at the beginning of 1912. They subsequently had a son, John Beverley, born Jan/Feb/March 1912.

John Wm Beverley joined the 2/10^th Manchester Regiment of the Oldham Territorials at Whitsuntide 1915, and was sent to Egypt early in 1917. He was later sent to France where he was wounded in the knee with shrapnel on 5 April 1918. Transferred to the Lord Derby Hospital, Warrington he died on 20th May 1918, aged 29 and was buried in a war grave in Chadderton cemetery on 24th May 1918.

The researchers are trying to trace relatives of the above to return the book and letter to them. It is especially important as this year is the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.

If you have any information please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mike O'Brien's new book

There is a review of Mike's new book on Americans in the British forces, here.

Medals of Private George William Shaw

We were contacted recently through the website by Mark Shaw who is searching for information about his great uncle, Private George William Shaw, 12364 of 9th battalion Cheshire Regiment. Mark's email reads as follows:

I hope you may be able to help me, as I am currently researching my Family Tree. I have identified George William Shaw as my Great Uncle. He served in A Company 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, from 01/09/1914 until his death 22/06/1917. His service number was 12364.

I have found that his medals (with the exception of his BWM), death plaque and associated certificates were sold on Ebay in 2014. I am unable to identify the seller or the purchaser.

I would like to find who it was that bought the items, if only to ask for copies of the documentation and, maybe provide a little background information in regard of my Uncle. Ideally, I would love to buy the items.

I know it is a long shot but I thought that it may be possible that one of your members may be the purchaser. I would be obliged if you could see your way clear to circulating the details to your membership.

Mark Shaw

If anyone does perchance know anything about Private Shaw could you please contact Mark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Terry?

Tramways

There is an account of the visit to Ypres by Martin and Winifrid Logan to honour the memory of those Manchester Corporation Tramways who fell in WWI - Tramways workers

Manchester Military History Society

The Society meet at:

East Manchester History and Gaming Centre, 
Knivton Street, Godley, Hyde, SK14 2PU

More details on their website - Manchester Military History Society

A new memorial to Manchester railwaymen killed in WWI

A new memorial to Manchester railwymen has been unveiled in Manchester Piccadilly Station by Michael Portillo. The research for the memorial was undertaken by two Virgin Trains managers - see Local History page

The Lost Tommies

A collection of photos of Tommies billeted in the village of Vignacourt has come to light and is on the BBC "One Show" site - One Show photos Can you help identify any of them?

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