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James Arthur Greenhalgh | |||
Rank: | 2nd Lieut | ||
Ship/Rgn/Sqn No: | 01st Bn | ||
Name of Rgt or Ship: | Cheshire Rgt | ||
Died: | 22/10/1914 | Age: | 24 |
How Died: | Killed in Action | ||
Country of burial: | France | ||
Cemetery or Memorial: | Le Touret Memorial | ||
Town Memorial: | Not Listed | ||
Extra Information: | |||
Born during the June quarter 1889 in the Bolton R.D. - ref: 8c/490, the second son of Joseph & Hannah Greenhalgh (nee Haslam). 1891 Census - 7 Levy Street, Great Bolton, Bolton. Son - aged: 1 - born: Bolton. Head of household - Joseph Greenhalgh - Married - aged 28 - occ: Foreman Storekeeper - born: Bolton. Also - Hannah Greenhalgh - Wife - aged: 29 - born: Bolton. Plus 1 elder brother. 1901 Census - 13 Croston Street, Bolton, Bolton Daubhill or Rumworth. Son - aged: 11 - born: Bolton. Head of household - Joseph Greenhalgh - Married - aged: 38 - occ: Foreman Storekeeper in Textile Machine Making Works - born: Bolton. Also - Hannah Greenhalgh - Wife - aged: 39 - born: Bolton. Plus 3 brothers. 1911 Census - Lord William's Grammar School, Thame, Oxfordshire. Assistant Schoolmaster - Unmarried - aged: 22 - born: Bolton. His parents were then living at 14 Heslington St Moss Side Manchester. Joseph - Married - aged: 48 - occ: Mill Furnisher And Textile Machine Works Furnisher - born: Bolton le Moors. Hannah - Wife - aged: 49 - born: Bolton le Moors. Plus his 3 brother and 1 sister and a servant. He obtained a a B.A. at Victoria University (Manchester) in 1910 and an M.A.in 1912. He had a short teaching career as a Classics Master at the Lord Williams' Grammar School, Thame, Oxfordshire and at the Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School, Lancashire from 1912 to 1914. Played football for Sale A.F.C. and was appointed Secretary of the International Textile Institute (Manchester) in 1914. He had been a member of the Manchester University Officers Training Corps and was on the Reserve of Officers which is how he gained his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Bn Cheshire Rgt on the 6th August 1914. He was posted to France on the 5th September 1914. and took part in the Battle of the Aisne and at La Bassee, Festubert and Violaines. On the 19th October the Germans launched an offensive from Arras up to the Channel, which included a massive assault on the 1st Bn, Cheshire Rgt's position at Violaines. According to SDGW, between the 10th September 1914 and the 23rd October 1914 a total of 95 other ranks from the 1st Bn were killed, the majority (50) were killed in the action on the 22nd October. Lt Greenhalgh and three other officers were also killed on the 22nd. A letter sent from Captain T. Lewis Lloyd also of the 1st Bn Cheshire Rgt was sent to 2nd Lt Greenhalgh's father. It read - "I am writing from Osbourne (IoW ?) I arrived here yesterday wounded, having left the Regiment last Saturday morning. Your son was my subaltan when we had a pretty hot time with the enemy. I was wounded by the first volley and your son took my place and behaved splendidly. He carried on as well, if not better, than I could have done, had I not been wounded and it was entirely due to his behaviour that we were able to drive the Germans from their position and to retire with all our wounded. I can never thank him enough. I personally brought his conduct to the attention of the General and trust he will receive the honour he deserves and can only wish that the Army contained more men and officers like him". The 02/03/1915 edition of the local newspaper reports on the mystery surrounding Lt. Greenhalgh of the 1st Bn Cheshire Rgt ('C' Coy). The War Office state that he has been missing since 07/11/1914. Two postcards sent by a Sgt Saunders to two young ladies stated that he was dead as he (Sgt. Saunders) had found the body and removed two letters from his pocket. Another report states that he was taken as a POW - that he was definitely at La Bassee, but not seen afterwards. Death reported in the 23/10/1914 edition of the Altrincham Guardian. Listed as a Lieutenant on the Christ Church Memorial. The 02/02/1916 edition of the Sporting Chronicle states that, at the age of 17, he matriculated at Victoria University, Manchester obtaining his M.A. degree three years later, during which time he was a member of the O.T.C. (Officer Training Corps). On leaving college he was appointed Classic's Master at Thame Grammar School, Thame, Oxfordshire. Two years later, he moved to Ashton-in-Makerfield, a post that he held until the outbreak of War on appointment of the International Textile Institute (Manchester). He was a brilliant scholar and an amateur footballer having played from time to time for Bolton Wanderers. The 04/02/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian reports that he had been missing for 12 months and had now been officially presumed dead. Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917. |
Memorials found on: | |||
Christ Church (Timperley) | |||
Timperley Village Club | |||
Altrincham & District Roll of Honour | |||
Sale R.U.F.C. | |||
Manchester University | |||
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