My shy Aussie friend would like to know more about this soldier if possible ..... ... as we're a few days away from his anniversary ... it would be nice if we could find out about him ! In Memory of Private G FITTON 13266, 7th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment who died on 31 December 1915 Remembered with honour ST. VAAST POST MILITARY CEMETERY, RICHEBOURG-L'AVOUE
I can't find a medal card for him .... he should have had one shouldn't he ? ... here's a snippet ... 7th (Service) Bn. K2. Formed at Preston in Sep 1914 in the 56th Brigade, 19th Division the original 7th (service) Battlion was in France from July 18th 1915 until it disbanded in January 1918 I'm still looking ! Annie
Hello Annie, SDGW has only the following to add: Born and enlisted Haslingden, Lancs. Killed in Action Phil
Thanks Phil ....... Would he have had an MIC ... do you think ? Here's the information about the cemetery ..... Richebourg-L'Avoue village remained in British hands from the Autumn of 1914 to the 9th April, 1918, though the front line was within 1.6 kilometres of it. It was recovered in September, 1918. The strong point from which the cemetery was named was in turn named from the hamlet of St. Vaast, between the village of Richebourg-St. Vaast and Goix-Barbee. It stands in an old orchard between two farm buildings, where a trench tramway had its terminus and a Dressing Station was established. It was begun in May, 1915, at the time of the Battle of Festubert, and used by fighting units and Field Ambulances until July, 1917. In April and May, 1918, the Germans buried 90 of their men at the South-East end, and in September and October, 1918, 18 further British dead were buried in Plot V. Eleven Portuguese soldiers buried here in May-July, 1917, have been removed to the Portuguese Military Cemetery. There are now nearly 800, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified. Special memorials are erected to three soldiers from the United Kingdom, buried in the cemetery, whose graves cannot now be traced. The cemetery covers an area of 4,080 square metres and is enclosed by a flint wall. And a picture of how it looked in 1921 !
His MIC is on TNA, but I don't know if it's on the other place. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/...asp?Edoc_Id=3667781&queryType=1&resultcount=1 If that link works, I'll be very surprised
Yes !!!!!!!! be surprised !! I couldn't find it on TNA ... though it looks straight forward ! you must have the touch !! ( or it could have been me transposing numbers !! )
Michel ! I can't believe you went out in the snow and took pictures ......... !! .... that is so nice of you !! Thank you on behalf of my Aussie friend ... I'm sure she'll be thrilled !! Annie
Oh dear - since telling Annie about my man, I have been otherwise occupied with family matters - but now have 3 days of "freedom" to think about other things. First thing I had to remember was my password Annie is my most wonderful friend and fabulous researcher & I didn't know she was going to post the details for me! So thank you for everyone who has been searching - the Haslingden is certainly correct - that is where he lived. I do tend to have a minor weep - this young man married in 1910, when just 18 years old, had 2 children, went to war & was killed shortly thereafter. Michael - it has just taken me a few minutes to see the picture (being a bit slow with techo things) but that it just amazing and very unexpected. A grandchild of George is my friend and he will be thrilled. It is 30C-40C in my world at the minute, so somewhat different to your climate! Many thanks for venturing outdoors for the photo. My only other query is to wonder what particular battle? or action? would have resulted in his death. I notice the memorial has the word EGYPT in the engraving. Is this relevant? Would there be details related to the regiment online? I have been somewhat spoilt by the detail of Australian WWI and II service records. Would I find anything similar for George? Many thanks for all the help - it is very much appreciated Trish PS I just noticed I am a "junior member" Tis a long time since anyone called me junior!!
To be honest my friend ... I was looking for the war diary and got sidetracked .... ( you know how that one goes !!! ) But I'll start again in the morning - I promise ! As he is buried at Richebourg Saint-Vaast Post we should find him and his regiment pretty easily ... says she crossing her fingers !! Yes .... the battalion formed in Preston did some training then they shipped out to France in July 1915 ! We need to see his medal card from A* ( I don't have it right now ) then we could see what it says on there ! Annie
Michael - it has just taken me a few minutes to see the picture (being a bit slow with techo things) but that it just amazing and very unexpected. A grandchild of George is my friend and he will be thrilled. It is 30C-40C in my world at the minute, so somewhat different to your climate! Many thanks for venturing outdoors for the photo. Trish Hello Trish, It was a great pleasure to do that for you... and our dear friend Annie. If you wish, PM your e-mail address and I will send the other pictures I taked yesteray. very friendly (Frozen) Michel
