|
Post by Colin Fraser on Dec 4, 2011 17:52:10 GMT
So now I have heard back from the Rochdale Library. Unfortunately they could not find a photo or death notice. I am not sure what date ranges they reviewed but it was good of them to have a go. Thanks again to those of you who volunteered to be my legs - very generous.
And speaking of generous, the letter's owner, Ms. Jackie Waters of Memory Catchers has generously sent me the letter stating that her Great Uncle Alf would have wanted that.......I am speechless at her gift.
I now see that the reverse of the letter is return addressed
"Pvt. G. L. Ingham 25262 A Coy. 3 Platoon 19th Service Batt. Lanc. Fus. BEF France"
The letter refers to the first day on the Somme on July 1, when "A" company was nearly annihilated. The CO was wounded at duty and all three platoon commanders were killed. The Battalion war diary (http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=152906&st=0&p=1472527&hl=+19th%20+btn%20+lancashire%20+fusiliers&fromsearch=1entry1472527) notes that the first wave of A company charged a German trench with 40 men and only 4 got within 10 yards of it.
What an extraordindary calm and undramatic tone George adopts in writing about that day.
Colin
|
|
|
Post by shred on Dec 4, 2011 19:19:10 GMT
Colin, Sorry to hear that Rochdale Library were unable to find a photo but what wonderful news about the letter, as you state it is a very generous gesture of Jackie. I have had the honour of reading a few diaries and letters from soldiers of WW1 and am left speechless at the way that they play down the sheer horror and danger of their precarious situation. I have never been able to figure out whether it is a hangover of the Victorian "stiff upper lip" or not wanting their loved ones to know of the true horrors and hardship that they are enduring. There is a good example of another man, William George Earle, who writes about events in the same calm and undramatic tone on the forums. It can be read at the following link salfordwarmemorials.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=men&thread=834&page=1
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Apr 20, 2012 19:53:26 GMT
I contributed a much higher quality scanned copy of both sides of my Great Uncle's letter to this website: www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk/gallerynew/19thBN/19thBn.htmThere is also an interesting arcticle posted below it re. Lt Edward Deakin Ashton, his platoon Commander who was killed July 1. I'm still looking for a photo of George. Pretty much my holy grail as I woud like to sculpt a scale portrait of him and have nothing to work with. Any ideas on where to look would be gratefully received. Colin
|
|
|
Post by shred on Apr 20, 2012 21:02:24 GMT
Thanks for the update Colin. Sorry to hear that you have not found a photo of George yet. It would seem that the Death Plaque (Dead Man's Penny) was sold on ebay in 2009. George Leonard INGHAM Born: 1897 Died: 15-Jul-1916 Warloy-Baillon Served: 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers Number: 25262 Address: 58, Grouse Street, Rochdale, Lancashire Items: Bronze Memorial Plaque (Death Penny) for sale on ebay 20-Aug-2009 www.townsleyfamily.org.uk/html/contributions_1.htmHopefully a family member got it.
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Apr 21, 2012 17:03:32 GMT
Thanks Shred - Yes I knew George's plaque was sold on eBay in 09 and I am pretty sure that I know who sold it. Sadly it was another side of the family in the UK. Not everyone treasures such things. However, not everyone has the financial resources to be able to turn down some extra money coming in from eBay so I shan't judge.
I will watch for it to remerge at some point. The letter it the important thing for me.
Thanks for the info.
Colin
|
|
|
Post by shred on Apr 24, 2012 11:36:34 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Apr 24, 2012 18:36:47 GMT
I saw that and popped over here to let you lot know...but you beat me to it. Amazing coincidences continue to add up. I've asked the gent for right of first refusal if he ever decides to sell it on. But in any case its marvellous to find it and see the pix.
Colin
|
|
|
Post by shred on Apr 24, 2012 22:15:33 GMT
Nice result. I hope that he can bring himself to part with the plaque.
I thought it was very gallant of you not to judge the family member who had sold the plaque, good on you.
Hope you find that elusive picture of George.
Garry
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Apr 24, 2012 22:45:02 GMT
The gent who owns the plaque and I are in touch and are sharing our respective research. I'm glad to find that there are now 2 of us who care about George's life and death. So the medal has done its job in preserving George's memory. And in the end its just a thing.
I did secure a right of first refusal and I am happy with that as he is not ready to part with it right now. I'm thrilled to see the photos of it. Perhaps that's my reward for not judging.
Thanks for your heads up on the posting on GWF. You guys are great over here. As my GLI interest is now a general Salfords interest now, I will be remaining on site for the long run.
Cheers
Colin
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Oct 14, 2012 15:53:17 GMT
|
|
|
Post by shred on Oct 14, 2012 17:22:43 GMT
Colin,
I enjoyed reading your blog. I wish I could write so well.
I presume we are still looking for a picture of George?
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Oct 14, 2012 18:34:28 GMT
Thanks for the nice comment shred. Yes the photo is the final piece of the puzzle I hope to find one day.
Colin
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Sept 2, 2013 1:18:17 GMT
Thanks to Garry for giving me the heads up that George's will is available. As I am a direct descendant, I think I am OK publishing it. Interesting that he made the will June 27, 1916, two days before the originally scheduled date for the opening of the Somme offensive. Its quite unsettling to realise that George was carrying this page in his paybook when he was mortally wounded at Ovillers. Colin Attachments:FAEK060058.pdf (71.51 KB)
|
|
|
Post by shred on Sept 2, 2013 20:46:11 GMT
Colin,
Many thanks for posting, that is the first will I have seen. It would be nice to add it to your blog.
Garry
|
|
|
Post by Colin Fraser on Sept 3, 2013 1:47:36 GMT
I will by posting an addendum for additional info as find it, including the will.
Colin
|
|