My great uncle who died at the Somme

[peterb]

Hi, I'm trying to find out anyhting about my great uncle John George Brookes who died on the first day of the Somme 1/7/16.

He was in the Lancashire Fusiliers D Coy, 16th Bat, his service number is 11553.

He lived on Whit Road in Pendleton and I'd love to know if he recorded on a War Memorial in Salford.

Many thanks !

Peter

[Hawker Hurricane]

Hi Peter and welcome to SWARM. We have Private 11553, John George Brookes listed on the Whit Lane Street Shrine memorial. This is a missing memorial, and there is a thread devoted to it in the Missing Memorials section of the Forums. It appears he may have been mistakenly recorded as Lance Corporal on the memorial.

You can also access the thread through this link: salfordwarmemorials.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=missing&action=display&thread=155

The information we have indicates that he died (killed in action) on 2nd July 1916, and his remains are interred in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave I. C. 5. He is recorded as having been the son of Frederick William and Lily Brookes, of 250, Whit Lane, Pendleton.

Thus far, the Whit Lane memorial is the only one we have located his name on.

I hope this is of some help in your search, but please don't hesitate to ask for further advice or information.

Regards,

Jim

[peterb]

Thanks Jim - thats brilliant, shame the memorial is missing. Thanks again.

[prospectroad]

Peter, he was almost certainly killed on 1st July 1916. Although Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) lists his death as 2nd July, the CWGC entry of 1st July is more likely to be correct.

From a draft book on the 2nd Salford Pals by Neil Drum, it appears he was in Platoon 14 of Company D and he went to France with the main body of the battalion on 22nd November 1915.

Hope this helps
Pete

[peterb]

Thanks for the reply - very much appreciated. Can you recommend where I can research about the Lancashire Fusiliers ? Also, do you have any knowledge of what happend to the war memorial ?

[prospectroad]

Hi Peter, Michael Stedman's 'Salford Pals' is the best reference. Although we're working on a new history of the battalion (I've checked and we have nothing further about your great uncle, otherwise we'd share it).

There is also the Lancs Fusiliers Museum in Bury.

Hope this helps

Regards
Pete

[tonyrod]

hi peter, you can send for his grave photo from this site,
twgpp.org/results.php?sname=brookes&fname=john&cemetery=Bouzincourt+Communal+Cemetery+Extension&country=32&force=&nationality=

enjoy and welcome to the site, tony

[shred]

John George Brookes is listed on the Salford Pals Memorial in Sacred Trinity. This memorial lists all the Salford Pals who died on the 1st July 1916.

Attachments:

[shred]

Here is a photo showing the complete memorial.

[shred]

There is a book at Salford Library which contains pictures of each of the coys that made up each battalion of the Salford Pals. You will need a good eye for family resemblances to pick him out. I will see if I can get a picture from the library tomorrow. In the meantime I am sure one of the forum members may be able to give you any information contained on John's medal card (that is if you do not already have it?).

[peterb]

Many many thanks for the replies - can't thank you enough. My mum died last November and going through her things I found details about my relative who died on the Somme - but nothing more than a few details and an old photo shortly before he left for France. Now I know he has a grave - which I've also now seen a pci of the gravestone, its location and that he still remembered on a fantastic memorial.

Again - many thanks.

Peter

ps - what is a medal card ?? I have no idea !!!

[shred]

Peter,

Medal cards are available to see on Ancestry. A full explanation of what details they contain can be seen here.

Unfortunately my subscription has recently lapsed so I can not take a look at the moment.

Any chance that you can post a copy of the picture that you have of John?

[Spitfire]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to SWARM

My great grandad (he is my avatar photo) was also named on the elusive Whit Lane memorial. My great grandad lived at 206 Whit Lane so not far from your family

It would be great if you could upload a photo of John to this site, and you can add him to the SWARM roll of honour if you wish.

If you have the opportunity I would definately recommend you visit the Lancashire Fusiliers museum at Bury which Pete has mentioned to you. The museum is a lovely place, you will get a warm welcome and it's a great place to learn!

[shred]

Peter,

John is somewhere in the group of men. Can you pick him out?

[peterb]

Hi Spitfire - many thanks and well done for starting this forum !! Our relatives MUST have known each other - possibly only 22 houses between them - did yours serve in the Lancs Fusiliers too ?? I will glady visit the museum in Bury, with my two children, this is amazing stuff and MUST be passed on through the generations.

Shred, there are a number of pictures in an old album back at my dads - I'm next over at the weekend and will post them when I have them. He's in uniform so should be able to spot him, which I've not beenable to do yet. My grandad was also pictured in his uniform - he couldnt join up as he was deaf and dumb. He apparently marched in the recruitment office in tears and wouldnt leave the day the telegram came.....

I'm in Manchester tomorrow and will visit the Sacred Trinity church (can't wait) and I'll say a thanks for all who've served and are still serving.

Has anyone contacted the MEN about te missing memorial - there's definately a story here !!