Joseph Abbott Posted 26 October 2014 by Adrian AbbottJoseph was my great-uncle and he provided a vital clue in validating a story I hadn't believed. I had been told by my father, just before he died at 95, that my g.grandfather, a Coalminer from County Durham, had taken his family to Alabama to work in the mines there, but returned after a few years. Since nobody had mentioned this before I found it [Click to continue…]
Harold John Hugh Dicksee Posted 14 March 2019 by Departed MemberHarold joined the London Regiment in 1910 and served with them until 1916 after which he moved to the RFC (later the RAF). On 27 December 1916 Harold's plane was shot down by the infamous 'Red Baron' (Manfred von Richthofen, pictured above) although he was fortunately unhurt in the incident. Harold's service file is filled with incidents causing him [Click to continue…]
Albert Edward Commins Posted 7 March 2017 by John ComminsPrivate Albert Edward Commins was born 10 Nov 1880 at 16 Betterton St St Giles and was my grandfather, between 1884 and 1885 was admitted to hospital with broncopnuemonia and a diseased finger . He left 4 children between 5 and 14 at his death, and also was the cause of my Gmother's nervous breakdown. I knew that my Gfather had died in WW1 but had [Click to continue…]
Francis Pook Posted 10 February 2014 by Margaret SpillerFrancis was born in the 3rd October 1889 in Saskatchewan, Canada. His father, George Samuel Pook, had emigrated from England sometime after 1871 and had joined the North West Mounted Police; he married Francis' mother, Alice Jane, in Canada and they had five children, of whom Francis was the eldest. Francis father died in 1911 and his mother remarried [Click to continue…]
Harold Hagger of Openshaw Posted 16 March 2014 by Peter HaggerHarold Hagger of Openshaw Killed in action 11 Apr 1917, France & Flanders, Private, Service No 200753, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. Buried Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, France. Enlisted Manchester. Awarded Victory and British War medals. During 1917 the 2nd Battalion were involved inthe First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, The [Click to continue…]