St Paul, Kersal Moor

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Name: REDFERN
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit Text: "D" Coy. 16th Bn.
Age: 25
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 12146
Additional information: Son of John Robert and Ellen E. Redfern, of 3, Harmsworth St., Seedley, Pendleton, Manchester. Native of Salford.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 2.
Cemetery: BOUZINCOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Birth Place: Pendleton, Lancs
Residence: Weaste, Lancs
Death Date: 2 Jul 1916
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Salford, Lancs
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

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Thought I would check Harold Redfern's Medal Card for a date of death, it gives 02/07/1918. A slip of the pen??

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Harold Thompson, auctioneer and valuer at 11 Queen St, Albert Square, Manchester, the father of Frank and John was informed about the death of his son John on the 19th July 1916. Knowing that his elder son, Frank, had received wounds at the same time as John he wrote back to the Army asking for further information (copy of letter here under). John & Frank's brother Albert also served in the 18th Manchesters (10730).
The service numbers of the 3 brothers would seem to indicate that they all joined the army together.
Another brother William was serving with the 1/8th Masnchesters.



Name: THOMPSON, FRANK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 18th Bn.
Age: 23
Date of Death: 19/07/1916
Service No: 10731
Additional information: Son of Harold and Ellen Jane Thompson, of Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: I. C. 42.
Cemetery: LA NEUVILLE BRITISH CEMETERY, CORBIE
Birth Place: Ardwick, Manchester
Death Date: 19 Jul 1916
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Manchester
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

Attested 04/09/1914 aged 21 years 8 months.
Occupation - clerk
Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal 31/05/1916.
Home 04/09/14 - 07/11/15
France 08/11/15 - 19/07/16

and

Name: THOMPSON, JOHN
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 18th Bn
Age: 18
Date of Death: 16/07/1916
Service No: 10724
Additional information: Son of Harold and Ellen Jane Thompson, of 55, Wellington St. East, Higher Broughton, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. E. 3.
Cemetery: ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Birth Place: Urmston, Lancs
Death Date: 16 Jul 1916
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Manchester
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Attested 04/09/1914 aged 19 years 2 months.
Occupation - clerk
Address - 55 Wellington St, Broughton
Home 04/09/14 - 07/11/15
France 08/11/15 - 16/07/16

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Name: NORMAN, HARRY
Initials: H
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Telegraphist
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.C.S. Valleyfield
Age: 19
Date of Death: 07/05/1944
Service No: P/JX 427047
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Additional information: Son of William Henry and Louise Norman, of Salford, Lancashire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 84, Column 3.
Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

At 04.32 hours on 7 May, 1944, U-548 fired two Gnat torpedoes at five ships of the Canadian Escort Group C1 which were returning from escort of convoy ONM-234. HMCS Valleyfield (K 329) (LtCdr D.T. English, RCNR) was hit by one torpedo on the port side in the boiler room, broke in two and sank within four minutes about 50 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland. The commander, the senior officer Cdr John Byron (DSC, RD, RNR), ten officers, 111 crew members and two passengers (Lt.(E) John Storey, RCNVR and Surgeon Lt. C.E. Irvine, RCNVR) were lost. 43 survivors were picked up by HMCS Giffard (K 402) (LtCdr Charles Petersen), while HMCS Edmundston (K 106) (LtCdr R.D. Barrett), HMCS Frontenac (K 335) and HMCS Halifax (K 237) carried out an unsuccessful search for the U-boat. Five of the rescued men died on board from exposure, so only two officers and 36 crewmen survived the sinking. The corvette did not immediately pick up survivors as her commander was somewhat indecisive about whether to hunt for the U-boat or risk his ship while being stationary during the rescue. After a short search and the remaining ship realizing what happened, she began rescuing men from the freezing water but by then many had perished further contributing to the disaster.

Link - www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/3245.html

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Name: SEWELL, FRANK RICHMOND
Initials: F R
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Regiment/Service: Home Guard
Unit Text: Cdg. 43rd County of Lancaster (Salford) Bn.
Age: 49
Date of Death: 14/11/1942
Additional information: Son of Frank R. Sewell and Katherine Maria Sewell; husband of Mariorie Sewell, of Kersal, Salford.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 4064.
Cemetery: KERSAL (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD


Frank died in a car accident alongside the Salford Rugby League legend Lance Todd.

Todd died on 14 November 1942, aged 59, in a motor accident. An inquest into his death determined a verdict of "accidental death". During World War 2 Todd was serving as a commandment to the Salford section of the Home Guard but it would be on a return home from duty in Oldham that the accident happened. A car he was driving swerved to avoid a collision with a tram, but crashed into a lampost. Todd died along with his colleague Colonel Frank Sewell in the front passenger seat. Two passengers in the rear seats of the car survived. Todd is buried in Wigan (Ince) cemetery.
Legacy

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Name: PLATT, FREDERICK GEORGE
Initials: F G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Corporal
Regiment/Service: Army Pay Corps
Unit Text: Pay Office (Dover)
Age: 38
Date of Death: 27/11/1918
Service No: 10282
Additional information: Son of George Platt husband of Fanny Platt, of 5, Corriston St., Seaford Rd., Pendleton, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: 1264.
Cemetery: KERSAL (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD

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Name: MAYER, EDWARD
Initials: E
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Petty Officer Telegraphist
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.S. Tynedale
Age: 27
Date of Death: 12/12/1943
Service No: D/JX 151002
Additional information: Son of John Wallbank Mayer and Ann Mayer; husband of Jessie Mayer, of Prestwich, Lancashire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 81, Column 1.
Memorial: PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

At 07.10 hours on 12 Dec, 1943, U-593 fired a Gnat at HMS Tynedale (L 96) (LtCdr J.J.S. Yorke, DSC RN) which was escorting convoy KMS-34 and scored a hit after 14 seconds that sank the vessel northwest of Bougie, Algeria. Seven officers and 66 ratings were lost. The U-boat was then chased by several escort vessels, managed to sink HMS Holcombe (L 56) with another Gnat at 14.45 hours, but was finally sunk herself after a 32 hours chase.

Link www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/3149.html

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Born in Urmston in October 1883 (some documents give the year as 1884). He was posted to France 14/11/15 serving as a Sergeant in the Royal Fusiliers until he was commissioned to the Royal Flying Corps on the 06/07/1916. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty.

The 1901 census shows him living at 468 Bury New Road Broughton. His RFC records show his address as Farly Hill, Kersal and that he was a director of A Smart and Co Ltd, Rockcliffe Mills, Collyhurst, Manchester.

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George Orme Smart was shot down by Baron Manfred von Richtofen (the Red Baron) on the 7th April 1917. George kept a diary through out the war which is held at The Museum of Army Flying in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Link www.armyflying.com/museum_treasures.asp

2Lt G O Smart, No 60 Sqn RFC was born on 17 August 1886, a native of Kersal, Manchester. In 1915 he joined the RFC as a Private, and subsequently learned to fly at his own expense before gaining Royal Aero Club Certificate No 3707. He was posted to No 60 Sqn in France as a Sergeant Pilot and later commissioned in the field.

Brother of Charles Douglas Smart.

Name: SMART, GEORGE ORME
Initials: G O
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Flying Corps
Unit Text: 60th Sqdn.
Secondary Regiment: General List
Secondary Unit Text: and
Age: 31
Date of Death: 07/04/1917
Additional information: Son of Arthur and Edith Smart, of "Farley Hill", Kersal, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: ARRAS FLYING SERVICES MEMORIAL

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George Orme Smart

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Name: SCALES, EDWARD LIONEL
Initials: E L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Middlesex Regiment
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Age: 27
Date of Death: 11/11/1918
Additional information: Son of Richard and Susannah Scales, of Newark-on-Trent; husband of Dorothy Ada Scales, of "Farley Hill," Kersal, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: A. I. 3.
Cemetery: KERSAL (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD
Type of Casualty: Died

Dorothy Ada Scales (nee Smart) was the sister of Charles Douglas and George Orme Smart making Edward their brother-in-law.

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Name: WILSON, ALAN
Initials: A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Date of Death: 28/10/1942
Service No: 1450996
Additional information: Son of John Albert and Lilian Wilson, of Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Grave 4050.
Cemetery: KERSAL (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD

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Initials: C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sub-Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: Anson Bn. R.N. Div.
Date of Death: 13/11/1916
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. A. 52.
Cemetery: ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL
Name: LEEService Branch: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Unit: Anson Bn.
Rank: Temporary Sub Lieutenant
Death Date: 13 Nov 1916
Cause of Death: Killed in action
Burial: Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel (FR 339)
Service History: ex-Public Schools Bn., enlisted 11/3/15 ; Commissioned Temporary Sub Lieutenant RNVR 5/6/15 ; Draft for MEF 5/10/15, joined Anson Bn. 25/10/15-24/11/15 Septic finger, rejoined Anson Bn. 7/9/16-13/11/16 DD.
Service Number: ex-London Z/1440 Ordinary Seaman RNVR
Notes: An Aeronautical Engineer ; b.3/3/1882 ; Next-of-Kin & home address: Father, Harold, Fairfield, Broughton Park, Manchester. ; 5/10/20 Next-of-Kin does not wish to claim £5 War Gratuity ; ADM/171 = St.V.B. issued to Father.

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Name: BRIDGE, TOM CORNALL
Initials: T C
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit Text: 1st/6th Bn.
Age: 20
Date of Death: 06/09/1917
Service No: 306667
Additional information: Son of John Thomas and Sybella Bridge, of 33, Douglas St., Higher Broughton, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. C. 16.
Cemetery: TYNE COT CEMETERY
Birth Place: Salford, Lancs
Death Date: 6 Sep 1917
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Manchester
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

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Name: RUSSELL, GEORGE
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Manchester Regiment
Unit Text: 19th Bn.
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 18477
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Manchester
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

and

Name: RUSSELL
Initials: J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Serjeant
Regiment/Service: Royal Fusiliers
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 29/09/1918
Service No: 7523
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Russell, of 66, Wellington St. West, Higher Broughton, Manchester.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. B. 2.
Cemetery: OXFORD ROAD CEMETERY
Birth Place: Manchester
Residence: Broughton
Death Location: France & Flanders
Enlistment Location: Manchester
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre