The Manchester Regiment

LG = London Gazette.

Regiment/Battalion

The Boer War 1899 - 1902

(Joint Citation; Pitts and Scott)

During the attack on Caesar's Camp, in Natal, on the 6th January, 1900, these two men occupied a sangar, on the left of which all our men had been shot down and their positions occupied by Boers, and held their post for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time under an extremely heavy fire, keeping up their fire and a smart look-out though the Boers occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear. Private Scott was wounded.

First World War  1914 - 1918

For most conspicuous bravery on 26th April, 1915, near Ypres, when he left his Company on his own initiative and went well forward towards the enemy's position to assist a severely wounded man, whom he carried a distance of 250 yards into safety, whilst exposed the whole time to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.
Subsequently Corporal Smith displayed great gallantry, when the casualties were very heavy, in voluntarily assisting to bring in many more wounded men throughout the day, and attending to them with the greatest devotion to duty regardless of personal risk.
 

For most conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice during operations at Manchester Redoubt, near St. Quentin, on the 21st March, 1918.
During the preliminary bombardment he encouraged his men in the posts in the Redoubt by frequent visits, and when repeated attacks developed controlled the defence at the points threatened, giving personal support with revolver, rifle and bombs. Single-handed he repulsed one bombing assault, driving back the enemy and inflicting severe casualties.
Later, when ammunition was required, he made several journeys under severe fire in order to replenish the supply.
Throughout the day Lieutenant-Colonel although twice wounded showed the most fearless disregard of his own safety, and by his encouragement and noble example inspired his command to the fullest degree.
The Manchester Redoubt was surrounded in the first wave of the enemy attack, but by means of the buried cable Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob was able to assure his Brigade Commander that "The Manchester Regiment
will defend Manchester Hill to the last."
Sometime after this post was overcome by vastly superior forces, and this very gallant officer was killed in the final assault, having maintained to the end the duty which he had impressed on his men—namely, " Here we fight and here we die." He set throughout the highest example of valour, determination, endurance and fine soldierly bearing.

(note: name misspelled Wilfred Elstob with the initial citation, correction published 8th August 1919)

Joint Citation; Leach and Hogan

His. Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to Second Lieutenant James Leach, and to No. 9016 Serjeant John Hogan, 2nd Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, for their conspicuous bravery, specified below: —
For conspicuous bravery near Festubert on 29th October, when, after their trench had been taken by the Germans, and after two attempts at recapture had failed, they voluntarily decided on the afternoon of the same day to recover the trench themselves, and, working from traverse to traverse at close quarters with great bravery, they gradually succeeded in regaining possession, killing eight of the enemy, wounding two, and making sixteen prisoners.

No. 375499 Pte. Walter Mills, late Manch. R. (Oldham).
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice. When, after an intense gas attack, a strong enemy patrol endeavoured to rush our posts, the garrisons of which had been overcome, and though badly gassed himself, he met the attack single-handed and continued to throw bombs until the arrival of reinforcements, and remained at his post until the enemy's attacks Had been finally driven off. While being carried away he died from gas poisoning. It was solely due to his exertions, when his only chance of personal safety lay in remaining motionless, that the enemy was defeated and the line retained intact.

No. 43839 Pte. Alfred Wilkinson, 1/5th Bn., Manch. R. (T.F.) (Leigh).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 20th October, 1918, during the attack on Marou, when four runners in succession having been killed in an endeavour to deliver a message to the supporting company, Pte. Wilkinson volunteered for the duty. He succeeded in delivering the message, though the journey involved exposure to extremely heavy machine-gun and shell fire for 600 yards. He showed magnificent courage and complete indifference to danger, thinking only of the needs of his company and entirely disregarding any consideration for personal safety. Throughout the remainder of the day Pte. Wilkinson continued to do splendid work.

No. 4926 Sjt. Harry Coverdale, Manchester R. (Old Trafford, Manchester).
For most conspicuous bravery in attack on enemy strong points. He showed the utmost gallantry in approaching his objective, and when close to it disposed of an enemy officer and two men who were sniping our flank, killing the officer and taking the two men prisoners. He then rushed two machine guns, killing or wounding the teams. He subsequently reorganised his platoon in order to capture another position, but, after getting within a hundred yards of it, he was held up by our own barrage, and was obliged to return, having sustained nine casualties.
Later, this gallant non-commissioned officer again went out with five men to capture this position and when he had gone some distance he saw a considerable number of the enemy advancing. He thereupon withdrew his detachment man by man, he himself being the last to retire, when he was able to report that the enemy were forming for a counterattack.
By his gallant leadership and utter disregard of danger throughout the attack he set a splendid example of fearlessness to his men, and inspired all with a spirit of emulation which undoubtedly contributed largely to the success of the operations.

 10947 Company Serjeant-Major George Evans, 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment (Manchester).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion  to duty during the attack at Guillemont on the 30th July,1916, when under heavy rifle and machine gun fire he volunteered to take back an important message after five runners had been killed in attempting, to do so. He had to cover about 700 yards, the whole of which was under observation from the enemy.
 Company Serjeant-Major Evans, however, succeeded in. delivering the message, and although wounded, rejoined his company, although advised to go to the dressing station
 The return journey to the company again meant a journey of 700 yards under severe rifle and machine gun fire, but by dodging from shell-hole to shell-hole he was able to do so, and was taken prisoner some hours later.
 On previous occasions at Montauban and Trones Wood this gallant Warrant Officer displayed great bravery and devotion to duty, and has always been a splendid example to his men.

War Office, 9th September, 1915.
His Majesty The KING has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer: —
Lieutenant William Thomas Forshaw, 1/9th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force.
For most conspicuous bravery and determination in the Gallipoli Peninsula from 7th to 9th August, 1915.
 When holding the north-west corner of the "Vineyard," he was attacked and heavily bombed by Turks, who advanced time after time by three trenches which converged at this point, but he held his own, not only directing his men and encouraging them by exposing himself with the utmost disregard to danger, but personally throwing bombs continuously for 41 hours. When his detachment was relieved after 24 hours he
volunteered to continue the direction of operations.
 Three times during the night of 8th-9th August he was again heavily attacked, and once the Turks got over the barricade, but, after shooting three with his revolver, he led his men forward and recaptured it.
 When he rejoined his Battalion he was choked and sickened by bomb fumes, badly bruised by a fragment of shrapnel, and could barely lift his arm from continuous bomb throwing.
 It was due to his personal example, magnificent courage and endurance that this very important corner was held.
 

No. 15818 Pte. George Stringer, Manch. B. For most conspicuous bravery and determination.
After the capture of an enemy position he was posted on the extreme right of his battalion to guard against any hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.

2nd Lt. James Kirk, late 10th, attd. 2nd, Bn., Manchester R.
 For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty North of Ors on 4th November, 1918, whilst attempting to bridge the Oise Canal.
 To cover the bridging of the canal he took a Lewis gun, and, under intense machinegun fire, paddled across the canal on a raft, and at a range of ten yards expended all his ammunition. Further ammunition was paddled across to him and he continuously maintained covering fire for the bridging party from a most exposed position till killed at his gun.
 The supreme contempt of danger and magnificent self-sacrifice displayed by this gallant officer prevented many casualties and enabled two platoons to cross the bridge before it was destroyed.

Mesopotamia / Iraq 1919-1920

War Office, 29th October, 1920.
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer: —
 The late Captain George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C., 2nd Bn., Manchester Regt.
For most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice.
 On the evening of the 24th July, 1920, when about fifteen miles from Hillah (Mesopotamia), the Company under his command was ordered to retire. After proceeding about 500 yards a large party of Arabs suddenly opened fire from the flank, causing the Company to split up and waver. Regardless of all danger, Capt.. Henderson at once reorganised the Company, led them gallantly to the attack and drove off the enemy.
On two further occasions this officer led his men to charge the Arabs with the bayonet and forced them to retire. At one time, when the situation was extremely critical and the troops and transport were getting out of
hand, Capt. Henderson, by sheer pluck and coolness, steadied his command, prevented the Company from being cut up, and saved the situation.
 During the second charge he fell wounded, but refused to leave his command, and just as the Company reached the trench they were making for he was again wounded. Realising that he could do no more, he asked one of his N.C.O.'s to hold him up on the embankment, saying, " I'm, done now, don't let them beat you.'' He died fighting.