Walter (H)elsby 12323 19th Manchester Regiment

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Hi all,

May I introduce my Grt, Grt Uncle Walter (H)elsby.



I didn't know that this man existed until about two years ago.

I came across his name (and 3 other Grt,Grt, Uncles) on the Regent Square Memorial in Salford.


I knew nothing of searching for records back then but with a little guidance found his Medal Index Card and a pension record.

I will post a little more later.

Garry

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As Walter had lived in Regent Square and the famous Salford Lads Club is just round the corner I decided to get in touch with SLC. Imagine my surprise when they sent me this:



Along with two other cards for his brothers.

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One of his brother's card shows when he was in the Army;

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In the pension records I found was a letter from Walter to the War Office asking where his Silver War Badge was;

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After a little reading I learnt that the Silver War Badge was awarded to men who were injured and were no longer fit for duty.

I decided to look for the 19th Battalions War Diaries and found this for the day Walter was injured; The war diary reads: 10/2/16 – Fatigues etc – Enemy put about 100 shells into billets wounding 7 men, one of whom has since died.

Attachments:

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From a 19th Manchester Regiment soldier’s diary:
10th February
“Terrible shelling at wood about 4 o’clock – quite suddenly – a great rush for dug outs but impossible for all to get under cover in time – result – 1 killed, 8 wounded including our Sergeant and Dilworth who was badly knocked about. The next tent was riddled – a very narrow escape for us.”

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Walter was passed through the field hospital and sent back to ‘Blighty’ where he spent 456 days in the Welsh War Hospital, Whitchurch.

Attachments:

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News of Walter's injuries soon reached home;

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On the 16th May 1917 Walter was given £1.00 and a plain suit and was discharged from further war service due to being no longer physically fit for duty.

Walter lived to a good age and this year I found his grave and was able to pay my respects and say "Thank You"


It pains me to think that this man was alive when I was a boy and I never knew him.

RIP Uncle Walter

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A brief overview of Walter's war leading up to his wounding;

12323, Walter Helsby, 4th City, (19th Battalion) Manchester Regiment. Attested 8th Sept 1914 aged 20 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, brown eyes and dark hair. Walter lived at 88 Tatton Street, Salford in the parish of St Bartholomew’s.

The 4th City Battalion was raised as part of Lord Derby’s Pal’s movement which promised local men that they would serve with men of like minds, social standing and men they knew. The raising of the Battalion was completed by the 16th September 1914 but due to reports of overcrowding at regimental depots the men of the 4th City were billeted at home (arrangements for mid-day meals where made to ensure that a full days training could be undertaken) and underwent training at City Exhibition Hall and Hulme Cavalry barracks, later at Belle Vue Gardens. Later billeted at Heaton Park then to Belton Park, Grantham and to Larkhill in September 1915. Left Larkhill 7th November. Train from Amesbury to Southampton. Crossed channel on SS Queen Alexandra with transport units aboard SS Archimedes. 8th November - reached Le Harve at midnight. Train to Pont Remy. March to Beaumetz and stayed there till 17th November. Training at Coisy until 28th November. Then to Canaples till 8th December. Berles-au-bois on the 9th December. Trench instructions from the 6th Leicester’s. 6th January to Bray. 8th January took over B3 sector tranches at Carnoy. 12th January – relieved by the Liverpool Regiment and marched to Bray. 16th January – back in trenches, relieved by the Liverpool Regiment on the 20th and rested under canvas in woods a mile behind the firing line. 24th January – back in trenches, the Germans sent over a great bombardment on the 28th and a gas warning was sounded twice. 29th January – Great attack along the line captured a few Germans and their officers, relieved by the Liverpool Regiment.

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Shred, well done. A brilliant way of remembering a brave man.

Pete

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Thanks Pete.

Appreciated.