Corporal John Holland Sapsford

[bds]

I came across this website whilst trying to find out more about my uncle, Corporal J H Sapsford, who served with the Royal Field Artillery, and was killed just one week before the end of WW1 in India. He is buried in the C W G cemetary in Rawalpindi (now in Pakistan). I see he is mentioned on a plaque in St James Church, Higher Broughton, and wonder if his name appears on any other war memorials. I gather he fought alongside his brother, my father, George Douglas Sapsford who survived the war and went on to play football professionally for various north England clubs.

[shred]

Hi bds,

Welcome to the forum.

St James Church is the only memorial that we have found John Holland Sapsford's name inscribed on.

Your father, George Douglas Sapsford, first served with the Manchester Regiment (2055) and later with the Machine Gun Corps (56599). Given his low service number and the fact that his medal card indicates he landed in the Egyptian theatre of war on the 05/11/14 he may have been a regular or territorial soldier prior to the war. He was awarded the Victory, British War medals and the 1915 Star (soldiers serving in Egypt were not awarded the 1914 star). He achieved the rank of Sergeant.

It would seem that an article was printed about George in the Salford Reporter on the 26/06/16. I will see if I can get a copy soon and post it on this thread.

According to Wiki your father played for Manchester United, Preston and Southport. Is this correct?

[bds]

Hi shred,
Many thanks for your welcome and gen on my uncles memorial. Thanks also for the information about my dad's service record. I could kick myself now, 40 odd years after his death, that I didn't ask him about his early life in the"Great War". He never mentioned it once and I never thought to ask ,so any snippet of information now means a lot to me.
You're right about his football career. My only claim to fame is my dad played for Manchester United!!
I'd love to see the Salford Reporter article if you mange to get a copy.
Again, thank you.
BDS

[shred]

1918 Absent Voters

[shred]

bds,

The article, published 26/06/1915 (not 1916 as stated in my previous post), turned out to be a list of local men reported to have been killed in action. Your father's name was erroneously included in a list of 6th Manchesters who were killed fighting in Gallipoli.



A book that may be of interest 6th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment in the Great War by John Hartley.