Ashton Pals – Page 4

2/Lt. Sidney William Ruttenau

Sidney William Ruttenau was born on September 22, 1882 in Chorlton. His father, William Ruttenau, owned W. Ruttenau & Co, a leather merchant and manufacturer at the Good Hope Mill in Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1901 he was living with his mother, Helen Ruttenau, father and sister, Amy Helene, and three servants in Withington. He was educated at Sedbergh School, Cumbria and later joined the Manchester University Officer Training Corps as a cadet. The business flourished and by 1911 Sidney had joined his father as a partner in the family business and lived with his parents and five servants in a large house in Fallowfield.

Shortly after the outbreak of war he was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorial Force), along with 10 others, on October 12, 1914. He joined the 2/9^th in training at Southport before moving with them to Haywards Heath and Pease Pottage. 2/Lt. Sydney William Ruttenau was one of the 5 Officers (and 222 men) who traveled to Gallipoli in July 1915, joining the Battalion at Cape Helles on July 23^rd.

Assigned as a platoon commander in C Company, he fought in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard and emerged unscathed despite being grazed by bullets twice. Already unwell, on August 12^th he was sent sick to hospital in Alexandria with Dysentery and around 45 days later was medically evacuated to the UK arriving at Devonport on October 15th on the Andania. He recovered quickly and joined the 3rd Reserve Battalion Manchester Regiment at Codford on December 21, 1915. He sailed for Egypt in February, 1916 rejoining the 9th Battalion in March 1916 and on June 1^st was promoted to Lieutenant.

He sailed with the Battalion to France, arriving March 11, 1917 and on March 27 attended a 5-day course of instruction. He left for leave in the UK on April 19^th returning 13 days later. On May 24 he left to attend a two week school of instruction on Lewis Guns at Etaples and on July 29 left to attend a Musketry course. He enjoyed another two weeks of home leave in January 1918 and upon his return immediately attended another course of instruction. He was posted to the 1/5^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on February 16, 1918 and was struck off the strength of the 9th Battalion.

He remained in the service and was demobilised on January 27, 1919 retaining the rank of Lieutenant. In October 1919 he changed his name by deed poll to Sidney William Radnor. And in on February 4, 1921 became a Lieutenant in the Territorial Reserve subsequently relinquishing his commission on September 30, 1921. In January 1924 he dissolved W. Ruttenau & Co with his father and an outside partner, perhaps due to the ill health of his father who died the following year. He continued to work as a leather manufacturer and traveled extensively for business.

Lt. Sidney William Radnor died in Didsbury on November 13, 1949. He was 67 years old.

2/Lt. William Marsden Barratt

William Marsden Barratt was born in Ashton under Lyne on July 10, 1891. His father, Herbert Barratt, was a railway audit clerk and the family lived in Ashton. William was the oldest of five boys. By 1911 he was living with his grandmother and aunt a few doors down from his parents and brothers on Richmond Street in Ashton and was employed like his father, and his brother Harold, as a Railway Clerk. His middle brother, George Herbert Barratt, was working as a bank clerk in the Ashton branch of the Manchester & County Bank.

Shortly after the outbreak of war William was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the 9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Territorial Force), along with 10 others, on October 12, 1914. His younger brother, George Herbert Barratt, followed him less than six months later on March 2, 1915. The two brothers trained together in Southport with the 2/9^th before moving to Haywards Heath and Pease Pottage. 2/Lt. William Marsden Barratt was one of the 5 Officers (and 222 men) who traveled to Gallipoli in July 1915, joining the Battalion at Cape Helles on July 23^rd. His brother, 2/Lt. George Herbert Barratt was destined to remain with the 2/9^th when they became an independent line infantry Battalion, eventually deploying to France in March 1917.

William fought in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard and on August 28, 1915 left the Battalion for Mudros with 25 other ranks. While at Mudros he became sick with gastritis and was quickly invalided to the UK. Once in the UK, he spent some time in a nursing home in London being treated for dysentery before returning to his home in Ashton on September 26, 1915, taking medical leave until December.

Upon his recovery he rejoined the 2/9^th who were, in 1916, at camp at Witley in Surrey and on June 12, 1916 he took the opportunity to marry his sweetheart Gladys Holderness (from Ashton) at Witley, his friend, and brother Officer, 2/Lt. Harold Harrison Knight serving as his best man.

In October 1916 he deployed to France, attached to the 4th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and remained there until May 1917 when he was medically evacuated to England. On October 9, 1917 his younger brother 2/Lt. George Herbert Barratt was killed in action while serving with the 2/9^th Battalion in Belgium.

He returned to France in February 1918 and ended his war service as a Captain (Gazetted October 7, 1917) attached to the 1/7^th Battalion Manchester Regiment and was demobilised on January 30, 1919.

In 1920 he was temporarily living with his parents, who by now had moved to Southport and on June 13 his son, John Bevan Holderness Barratt, was born. John would himself go on to serve with the 9^th Battalion in World War II, spending much of the war as a Japanese PoW, and continued to serve with the 9^th into the 1950s.

Meanwhile, William, Gladys and John moved into a bungalow (“Cherisy”) on Mottram Old Road, in Stalybridge where they remained for many years.

Orders to reform the regiment were received in October 1920 and Lt-Col D. H. Wade was appointed Commanding Officer. A few weeks later the War Office confirmed the re-appointments of some old officers including Captain Barratt. William continued to serve in the 9^th Battalion Territorials and on January 28, 1930 was promoted to Lt.-Col. when he assumed command after Lt.-Col. Beltran Ford Robinson retired. Lt.-Col. W. M. Barratt was the commanding officer of the 9th Battalion when the King and Queen visited Ashton-under-Lyne on May 20, 1938.

On March 16, 1940 he relinquished command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force and was attached to the Territorial Army Infantry Training Centre, (ITC), at Warwick. He was evidently unwell because he returned home and was admitted to hospital. He was discharged a couple of weeks later and attached to No. 18 I.T.C. at Carlisle. Three months later, after a stint at 304th ITC in Plymouth, he was discharged to the unemployed list. But in November 1940 he was selected as the Local Defence Commander, Hucknall Aerodrome at Ashfield near Nottingham. On July 1, 1942 he was appointed Group Defence Officer (GSO 1) for No 29 Group, Flying Training Command, RAF and remained in this position until August 31, 1944 when he was added to the unemployed list. Lt.-Col. Barratt resigned his commission with the Territorial Force on October 5, 1944.

Lt.-Col. William Marsden Barratt, T.D. died in hospital at Stockport on June 2, 1958. He was 66 years old.

Lt. Douglas Buchanan Stephenson

Douglas Buchanan Stephenson was born in Chorlton on December 19, 1890. His father, Claudius Stephenson died when Douglas was 6 years old and the family then moved to Cheadle, near Stockport. Douglas was educated at Stockport Grammar and by 1906 he was working as a clerk at the Stockport branch of the Manchester & County Bank.

Douglas joined the 6^th Battalion Manchester Regiment Territorials as a Private and on May 29, 1912 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 9^th Battalion. A year later, he qualified in “subject A”, (the pre-cursor for promotion to Lieutenant), at Ashton on June 27, 1912 and consequently on July 17, 1913, he was duly promoted. He mobilised with the 1/9^th at the outbreak of war but contracted influenza and developed pneumonia and so was unable to travel with them to Egypt. He returned to Ashton in early October after recuperating at St. Annes on Sea, again volunteering for overseas service and was promoted to temporary Captain. He spent October and November in Ashton managing the recruitment of new men into the Battalion.

The first large draft (5 Officers and 222 men) sent out from the UK to reinforce the Battalion at Gallipoli arrived at Cape Helles on July 23, 1915 and Lt. Stephenson was the ranking Officer of the group. Two weeks later they were involved in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard but Lt. Stephenson was not specifically mentioned. He was made temporary Captain on September 13, 1915, which is normally associated with commanding a Company, and relinquished it on October 9, 1915 when he was evacuated sick to hospital in Alexandria. He did not rejoin the Battalion until January 3, 1916 when they were temporarily in Mudros, en-route to Egypt.

He served with the 1/9^th in Egypt without incident until May 27, 1916 when he again went sick to hospital and remained there for 113 days. He was promoted to Captain on June 1, 1916. On September 30^th he attended a school of instruction for 3 weeks in Cairo. His older brother, Captain Claudius Stephenson of the 12^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, died of wounds on November 2, 1916 in Salonika. On February 20, 1917 he was awarded 38 days of home leave in the UK.

He rejoined the Battalion in France on March 30, 1917 and took over Command of D Company. Around two weeks later attended a course of instruction for Company Commanders in Martieny. He attended another course in May and upon his return was awarded 10 days home leave from September 27 to October 7, 1917. On December 27he attended a Lewis Gun course at Le Touquet, rejoining the Battalion 10 days later.

On the night of 11/12 February 1918, Captain Stephenson led a successful raid on the German lines (between Festubert and Cuinchy in northern France). The raiding party consisted of 3 Officers and 98 men of D company. Three men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and Capt. Stephenson was awarded the Military Cross. The citation in the London Gazette reads:

Capt. Douglas Buchanan Stephenson, Manch. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of a raiding party he showed great dash, and at one place where the wire was not cut himself lay on the strands, thus enabling his men to pass over. He displayed great resolution, and prior to the operation, which resulted in the capture of seven prisoners and two machine guns, twenty-five of the enemy being killed, he showed the most commendable keenness, and inspired his men with great confidence, which helped to ensure its success.

On March 21, 1918 the 9th Manchesters were serving in the in the 198th Brigade of the 66th (2nd/East Lancashire) Division. The 9th Battalion were in the support line at Hervilly, East of Péronne, on the evening of March 20, 1918. The entire divisional front came under an intense artillery and gas bombardment starting at 4.40am and the Battalion was quickly moved up towards the front and by 4pm on the afternoon of March 21st, 2 Companies of the 9th Battalion were in front of Trinket redoubt. The following is excerpted from a report on operations March 21/22 by Lt. Col. EC Lloyd, Commanding Officer of the Battalion at that time:

“March 22, 1918. At about 10:30am a barrage was put down in the rear of the trenches, which was at first taken to be that of the enemy, but it increased in volume and two direct hits came on the Battalion Headquarters killing one company commander [Capt. DB Stephenson] who was there and severely wounding the Adjutant [Capt. OJ Sutton]. … A pigeon basket was luckily found and despatched to ask our artillery to cease fire.”

Around noon, the Battalion was forced to retire from their position under heavy enemy machine gun fire from both flanks. Captain Douglas Buchanan Stephenson, MC was killed in action on March 22, 1918. His body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Poziers Memorial, the Stockport War Memorial and the Ashton Under Lyne Civic War Memorial. He was 27 years old.

2/Lt. Harry Yorston Dixon

Harry Yorston Dixon was born in Leeds on July 17, 1884. His father, William Yorston Dixon, was the registrar of births and deaths in the general register office in Leeds.

By 1911 Harry Yorston Dixon was working as an inspector of agencies (insurance) and living with his parents and older sister in Leeds. He was commissioned as a temporary Second Lieutenant on February 1, 1915. He joined the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on July 2, 1915 in Gallipoli as they were going into the trenches. He was killed by shrapnel during an advance by the 52^nd Division, in the same action that also saw 2/Lt. Edward Balmford wounded.

2/Lt. Harry Yorston Dixon, 11^th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action on July 13, 1915. He was 30 years old and is buried in the Redoubt Cemetery, Cape Helles.

Lt. John Knowles

John Knowles was born in Stanningley, Yorkshire (between Leeds and Bradford) on April 20, 1887. His father, Joseph Butler Knowles was a Wool Merchant and Coffee Importer.

By 1911, John Knowles was living with his parents and five brothers and sisters in Leeds and he was employed as a commercial traveler for the finished goods of the wool business. He was commissioned as a temporary Lieutenant in the 11^th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment on December 28, 1914.

He joined the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on July 2, 1915 in Gallipoli as they were going into the trenches. He was 28 years old. He fought in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard in command of three regimental machine guns and came through unscathed but was wounded on August 20, 1915 and evacuated to hospital in Alexandria where he remained for 136 days before rejoining the Battalion in Mudros on January 3, 1916. He was promoted to temporary Captain from January 25, 1916 to March 3, 1916 while commanding a Company of the 1/9^th Manchesters. On May 1, 1916 he transferred to Base Depot and was struck off the strength of the Battalion. He remained attached to the Manchester Regiment but shortly after the war ended he relinquished his commission in the Yorks & Lancs Regiment due to ill-health as the result of wounds received in action. He retained the rank of Captain.

Captain John Knowles died on April 1, 1958 in Leeds. He was 70 years old.

Lt. Samuel Porter

Samuel Porter was born in Stratford, Essex on March 5, 1889. He was the youngest of five children and his father, Linton Porter, was a train driver.

He joined the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on July 2, 1915 in Gallipoli as they were going into the trenches. He was 26 years old.

The following passage is from De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour and has been slightly modified for clarity:

PORTER, SAMUEL. Lieut., 11^th (Service) Battn. The York and Lancaster Regt., attached 1/9^th (Territorial) Battn. The Manchester Regiment., son of Linton Porter, by his wife, Clara, daughter of Daniel Welderspen. Born Stratford, East London, 5 March 1889. Educated at Downsell Road Council School, East Layton; Pupil Teachers’ Centre, East Laytonstone, and King’s College London WC, where he graduated B.Sc. Was Science Master at Belper Secondary School. Joined the Leeds University OTC in September 1914; Gazetted 2^nd Lieut. The York and Lancaster Regt. in December of the same year. Served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli. Became attached to the 9^th Battn. The Manchester Regiment, and was killed in action at Krithia Nulla 7^th August, 1915. Buried there. A brother officer wrote: “Detailed with another officer to lead a charge, he was the first to mount the parapet of the trench, when a Turkish bullet struck him in the head, and he dropped back on to the firing step of the trench, dead.”

Lt. Samuel Porter, 11^th (Service) Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment, was 26 years old and was killed in action on August 7, 1915 at the Battle of Krithia Vineyard. He is buried in the Redoubt Cemetery.

Lt. Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson

Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson was born in Penarth Wales on September 8, 1880. He was the oldest of seven children and his father, Philip Augustus Vyvyan-Robinson, was a Coal Merchant. His mother, Susan Kate Francis Vyvyan-Robinson (née Pring) died in June 1897, when Arthur was 16 years old, from complications resulting from the birth of his youngest brother Francis. After being educated at Repton School, Arthur worked as a Merchant’s Clerk and in 1911 was living in Penarth, Wales. His father died in July of that same year.

On September 18, 1914 Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson was commissioned as a temporary Lieutenant in the 10th (Reserve) Battalion, The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment). He joined the 1/9^th Battalion Manchester Regiment on July 2, 1915 in Gallipoli as they were going into the trenches. He was 34 years old.

He was involved in the Battle of Krithia Vineyard and came through it unscathed. However, on the evening of Sept 2^nd he led a party of 14 men who were detailed to dig a trench joining the current Firing Line with the Northern Barricade. As they made their way in the dark they lost their bearings, going too far East, and were fired on by the Royal Naval Division. Lt. Vyvyan-Robinson and three men were wounded and one man was reported missing. He had received two wounds; a perforating gun shot wound to his left chest and a bullet through, and shattering, his right kneecap. Lt. Vyvyan-Robinson was evacuated directly from GULLY BEACH onto the hospital ship Delta which left on September 4, 1915 for Southampton, arriving there on September 13th. He then embarked upon a long road to recovery and was finally passed fit for light home duty 18 months later on March 3, 1917 and transferred to the 3rd Reserve Battalion South Lancs. Regiment, at Crosby. Needless to say, he did not return to the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment and resigned his commission on March 26, 1919.

After the war he met and married Patricia MacDonnell in June 1923 and settled in Hampshire. Their son, Arthur Frederick Vyvyan-Robinson, was born in November 1925 and a daughter, Claudia Frances Vyvyan-Robinson, followed in February 1932. By the outbreak of World War Two, the family had moved to Surrey and their son was away at The Nautical College, Pangbourne. Arthur Claude had retired and they home schooled their daughter.

At some point in the 1950s they moved to Cornwall where Lt. Arthur Claude Vyvyan-Robinson died on July 14, 1960. He was 79 years old.

2/Lt. Edward Balmford

Born in Ashton under Lyne on March 29, 1884 to Alfred Balmford and Hanna Harriet Balmford (née Bickerton). Alfred Balmford was a Tailor and Draper and in 1881 they were living on Sankey Street in Warrington. Alfred Balmford died on January 16, 1890 and by 1901 Hanna had sold the business and moved the family to Ashton. Edward was by now an apprentice mechanical engineer (most likely at Manchester Tech School) and he lived with his mother and two of his older sisters. The family had a live-in servant.

In 1911 Edward was working as a mechanical engineer (gas engines), along with his brother, at the National Gas Engine Co, in Ashton, his uncle’s business. He lived with his mother, his uncle Richard Bickerton, his younger brother Alfred Bickerton Balmford, his older sister Mabel Balmford and four servants in Gorton. Evidently, his mother was quite unwell as two of the servants were nurses. His mother died on June 23, 1911.

On September 3, 1914 Edward joined the 6^th Battalion Manchester Regiment as a private and promoted to Lance Corporal in December. On May 5, 1915 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 9^th Battalion, (later revised in the London Gazette to be effective March 11, 1915). Edward trained with the 2/9^th Battalion at Southport and Haywards Heath during early 1915. On June 2, 1915 he embarked with 16 NCOs and men of the 2/9^th en-route to Gallipoli. They landed on June 20 and were taken on the strength of the Battalion on June 22^nd. Less than a month later, he was wounded during an advance by the 52nd Division along with 15 other ranks. He was evacuated to hospital in Alexandria where he spent 35 days recovering before rejoining the Battalion in Gallipoli on August 17^th. He remained with them throughout the remainder of the campaign and continued serving with them in Egypt, landing there in January 1916. On May 28, 1916 he attended a school of instruction for 3 weeks and departed for leave in the UK until July 23rd. He was struck off the strength of the Battalion on June 18, 1916.

Once in England, his uncle’s company secured an additional six months unpaid leave so that Edward could assist them with munitions work as manager of the Howitzer department in charge of 8″ and 6″ recuperators. The company having secured a number of munitions contracts from Vickers. An additional six months leave was subsequently granted at the end of which he joined the Territorial Reserve, on Aug 22, 1917. At this time his brother Alfred was a degreed Mechanical Engineer (B.A. Science Cambridge, 1910) working as a department manager at the National Gas Engine Co. in Ashton where their work focused on the development and production of munitions and engine parts for aeroplanes and submarines. The National Gas Engine Company Ltd was founded by Mr Henry Neild Bickerton in 1889 and was located on Wellington Road in Ashton-under-Lyne. It was renamed the National Gas and Oil Engine Company in 1932. After the war Edward Balmford worked as a Sales Manager for the firm and his work saw him travel abroad on several occasions. By 1939, Edward was living with his nephew Henry Bickerton on Portland Street in Ashton. Henry, the son of Henry Neild Bickerton, was assistant works manager.

2/Lt. Edward Balmford died at the Cheltenham General Hospital on February 9, 1951 while temporarily staying at a hotel in Cheltenham. He was 66 years old.

C.O.s of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment

During the period of the great war the following men were Commanding Officers of the 1/9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, Territorial Force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

August 4, 1914 to May 22, 1915. Commanding the Battalion at the outbreak of war he oversaw their move to Egypt and their deployment at Gallipoli. He was wounded in Action shortly after arriving at Gallipoli and evacuated to Hospital in Egypt before returning to the UK.

Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Frederick Egerton, DSO

May 24, 1915 to June 9, 1915. Temporary Lt.-Col. AF Egerton (HQ Staff, 9th Army Reserve of Officers) was appointed to command the Battalion in Gallipoli and was subsequently replaced just over 2 weeks later due to ill health.

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Bottomley Nowell

May 22 to May 24, 1915. Major RB Nowell assumed command of the Battalion when Lt.-Col. DH Wade was wounded and before Temp. Lt-Col Egerton assumed command. June 9, 1915 to July 16, 1915. Temporary Lt-Col. RB Nowell assumed command of the Battalion when Temp. Lt-Col Egerton left.

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Worgan Falcon

July 16, 1915 to September 10, 1915. Lt.-Col. RW Falcon (late 53rd Sikhs) arrived and assumed command of the Battalion. He was placed on the sick list and invalided to hospital on September 10, 1915.

Major Roderick Livingstone Lees

September 11, 1915 to September 30, 1915. Major RL Lees (1/6th Lancs Fusiliers, TF) arrived from 125th Brigade and assumed command of the battalion. During his short time in command he was awarded the D.S.O. and shortly after was replaced and transferred back to the 1/6th Lancs Fusiliers.

Major William James Anderson

September 30, 1915 to October 19, 1915. Major WJ Anderson (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding)) arrived and took command of the battalion. He was killed in action by a bomb whilst visiting the trenches on October 19, 1915.

Lieutenant-Colonel Godfrey Walker Robinson

October 19, 1915 to November, 1915. Temporary Lt-Col. GW Robinson (1/10th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed temporary command of the battalion upon the death of Major WJ Anderson.

Major Leonard Clay Wilde

November 1915 to December 30, 1915. Major LC Wilde (1/10th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed command of the battalion in November. He commanded the battalion through their evacuation from Gallipoli and their short stay at Mudros at which point he returned to command the 1/10th Manchesters when Lt. Col. GW Robinson was temporarily placed in command of the 125th Infantry Brigade on December 31, 1915.

Major Arthur Edward Flynn Fawcus

December 31, 1915 to January 4, 1916. Major AEF Fawcus (1/7th Battalion Manchester Regiment) assumed command of the 1/9th Battalion on December 31, 1915 at Mudros. He was sent sick to Hospital on January 4, 1916 while the battalion was still at Mudros. He later re-joined the 1/9th on April 8, 1916, as 2nd in Command, while the battalion was serving in Egypt before leaving for UK leave on May 8, 1916.

Major Alexander Hargreaves Roberts

January 5, 1915 to February 8, 1916 (assumed). Major AH Roberts (1/5th Battalion East Lancs Regiment) assumed command of the battalion at Mudros after Major Fawcus became sick. There is no record of Major Roberts leaving the battalion and so it is assumed that he retained command until Lt. Col. DH Wade returned in February.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

February 8, 1916 to April 27, 1917. Lt-Col. DH Wade arrived from the UK and assumed command of the battalion while they were at Shallufa, Egypt. He commanded the battalion throughout their deployment in Egypt in 1916 with one or two short absences when he temporarily assumed command of the 126th Brigade. During those short absences Major RB Nowell temporarily assumed command of the battalion. He was replaced upon becoming sick when he was invalided to hospital and subsequently repatriated to England. In June he transferred to the Territorial Reserve and did not return to action. He was 51 years old at the time.

Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Bottomley Nowell

April 27, 1917 to May 26, 1917. Temporary Lt-Col. RB Nowell assumed command of the battalion upon the departure of Lt-Col. DH Wade. He was replaced one month later by an Officer of the Regular Army which by this time had become a trend for the Territorial Forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Evan Colclough Lloyd

May 27, 1917 to March 22, 1918. Temporary Lt-Col. E. C. Lloyd (Royal Irish Regiment) assumed command of the battalion on May 27, 1915 in Havrincourt Wood, France. He relinquished command when he was wounded in action on March 22, 1918 temporarily turning over command to Lt. Oppenheimer, the battalion’s Intelligence Officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Lister Heselton

March 23, 1918 to August 13, 1918. Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel J. L. Heselton (Worcestershire Regiment) took over command of the battalion when Lt-Col. EC Lloyd was wounded in action. In August 1918 they absorbed the 13th Manchesters (later reconstituted as the 9th Battalion) upon which he relinquished command and was transferred to another active battalion.

Inter War Years

After the war, orders to reform the regiment were received in October 1920 and Lt-Col D. H. Wade was appointed Commanding Officer on October 29, 1920. But his tenure was to be fairly short-lived when he retired from the Territorial Force on January 27, 1922 having reached the age limit. Subsequent to his retirement he was granted the rank of Brevet Colonel due to his long and distinguished services.

A few weeks later the War Office confirmed the re-appointments of some old officers including Capt. George William Handforth, Capt. William Marsden Barratt and Lt. Beltran Ford Robinson.

Lieutenant-Colonel Doctor Herbert Wade

Lt-Col. D. H. Wade was commanding officer from October 29, 1920 until he retired from the Territorial Force on January 27, 1922 having reached the age limit.

Lieutenant-Colonel John Broadbent

Lt-Col. John Broadbent took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. D. H. Wade), on January 28, 1922. He remained in command for 4 years, vacating command on January 28, 1926.

Lieutenant-Colonel George William Handforth

Lt-Col. George William Handforth took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. J. Broadbent), on January 28, 1926. He remained in command for 6 years, vacating command on January 28, 1932.

Lieutenant-Colonel Beltran Ford Robinson

Lt-Col. Beltran Ford Robinson took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. G. W. Handforth), on January 28, 1932. He remained in command for 6 years, during which time he was awarded the Territorial Decoration, vacating command on January 28, 1938.

Lieutenant-Colonel William Marsden Barratt

Lt-Col. William Marsden Barratt took over command of the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment, (vice Lt-Col. B. F. Robinson), on January 28, 1938. He was in command at the outbreak of World War 2 .

2nd Lieutenant Walter James Ablitt

Walter James Ablitt was born on August 16, 1891 in Cairo and was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh. Prior to the war he was employed as an Advocate.

He was commissioned into the 9th Battalion Manchester Regiment on January 1, 1915 as a Second Lieutenant and his military records indicate that he first served overseas on the same date in Egypt.

He landed with the battalion in Gallipoli on May 9, 1915 but the war diary mentions him only once there reporting that 2/Lt. and acting adjutant W.J. Ablitt was admitted to hospital on September 12, 1915. He was diagnosed with Jaundice and Impetigo and invalided to the UK; 5 days later sailing from Mudros on HMT Aquitania. He arrived at Southampton on September 25th and was treated in the UK, given six weeks leave and assigned to the 3/9th Battalion. He was pronounced fit to return to General Service on February 1, 1916 and his name was passed to the Adjutant General to be utilized as an accompanying Officer with drafts going to Egypt.

He rejoined the battalion in Egypt on April 26, 1916 and is next mentioned in the battalion war diary on June 17, 1916, reporting that he was attached to the 126th Infantry Brigade HQ where he remained until January 20, 1917 when he was subsequently assigned to GHQ of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and appointed temporary Captain. In 1917 he was mentioned in despatches and was promoted to Lieutenant with precedence from July 1, 1917. He was once again mentioned in despatches on June 14, 1918 when he was still a temporary Captain, now serving in the Intelligence Corps in France.

He was disembodied on March 15, 1919 and relinquished the temporary rank of Captain but did not resign his commission until September 30, 1921 and was granted the rank of Captain.

After his service he returned to Egypt where he served in the Egyptian Police force as an inspector in Cairo. He married Helen Joyce Hart in Egypt and on August 21, 1923 they had a daughter, Joan MacGregor Ablitt. On August 20, 1924 he was awarded the Order of the Nile (4th Class) by the King of Egypt and by this time was serving as the Assistant Commandant of Police at Alexandria. In 1926 he was awarded the Order of the Nile (3rd Class) and is noted as being Assistant Commandant, Cairo City Police. He later became the Commander of the Suez Canal police, special branch, at Port Said. In 1936 he was made a Commander of the Order of the Nile.

During World War II he was involved with the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a secret British World War II organisation, created in July 1940, following the fall of France in June of that year. Its purpose was to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in occupied Europe (and later, also in occupied Southeast Asia) against the Axis powers, and to aid local resistance movements.

Captain Walter James Ablitt died May 24, 1955 at St. Mark’s Hospital, Maidenhead. He was 63 years old.