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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Manchester Rambler on Saturday 01 April 06 21:51 BST (UK)
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Knew that would get a response! ;D
Looking for info on rellies:
James LAFFIN - Shropshire Light Infantry on 1901 census. Corporal, M/cr Regt when he died on 21 Mar 1915 (Service No: 2812 ). (Have medal card.)
James H BECKETT - M/cr Regt and Labour Corps - survived the war.
William BECKETT - brother of the above - rumoured to have been in M/cr Regy - looking for confirmation..?
Grateful for any info, and hoping this makes sense after celebrating my wedding anniverary with far too much champagne... ;D ;D
Rambler
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james laffin
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have we looked for james before? the name rings a bell..
the 1st battalion arrived from india on october 1914 joining the 2nd battalion for the first time since 1882, part of the jullunder brigade, and on 13th march 1915 were involved in the battle of neuve chapelle, which was (most probably) where james received his fatal wounds
the battalion was addressed by gen willcocks after the battle
"First manchesters
Once again how gloriously you have fought in front of the enemy! the battle of neuve chapelle was a hard one, but you bravely faced it. i have been requested by the commander in chief to visit you personally and thank you for your gallant work. you are a credit to the country to which you belong..........."
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if you post his MIC i may be able to get some further info for you
the 1st battalion were regulars of course, i am surprised he was in the shropshires previously, but assume he rejoined the mancs later
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message removed cch
no w beckett listed in the pals battalions tho
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Hi Rambler and Harribobs,
There is an entry for Cpl Laffin with more information on the memorial roll on the 'Spinning the Web' site.Screen 222. :)
http://tinyurl.com/kqu7y
Mick ;)
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looking at the NA site there are two william becketts in the mancs
Medal card of Beckett, William Arthur
Corps: Manchester Regiment
Regiment No: 250885
Rank: Serjeant...
Medal card of Beckett, William
Corps: Manchester Regiment
Regiment No: 33029
Rank: Private
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well spotted mick
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that was not james in my first post so i've removed it
james from NA site
Medal card of Beckett, James H
Corps Regiment No Rank
Manchester Regiment 10089 Private
Labour Corps 284528 Private
Date 1914-1920
Catalogue reference WO 372/2
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james was 3rd city, 18th battalion, B coy platoon 5, an original pal, joining up in 1914. training at heaton park
he missed his group photo with his platoon but is on one of these pics (somewhere :) )
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I'm sure we can get some more info but that's not bad for 12.50 ;D
where's my champagne!!
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Fantastic photographs Harribobs!!
I wonder if Rambler has pic of him so we can work out which one he is.
Mick ;)
p.s You posted at the same time as I did!
Just Champagne? go on, have a custard cream as well! ;D ;D
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Fantastic photographs Harribobs!!
I wonder if Rambler has pic of him so we can work out which one he is.
Mick ;)
great aren't they??
all the pals battalions were photographed before they left manchester, it was a defining moment for me when i first discovered the book of honour
custard creams and champagne mmmmm these people who have strawberries with it haven't got a clue!! ;D
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corporal james laffin
1st batt,manchester regt
2812
age 49
born ardwick,m/c
lived 34 fenn st hulme with his wife ellen[helen]his wife was a native of hulme
volunteered aug 1914
after a short period of training he was sent to france with the 2nd batt,landed at havre in december.
previously served with the shropshire light infantry.
very seriously wounded in the fighting at neuve chapelle,died of these wounds on 21-3-1915
buried bolougne eastern cemetary
grave ref III.D.49
awarded 1914-15 star,war medal and victory medal
his family say he died on 15-3-1915??
"thinking that remembrance,though unspoken,will reach him where he sleeps
mack
looks like the gang beat me to it ;D ;D
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All you fellahs think about is booze and food !! ::) ::)
D'you think he's 3rd from ...... Harribobs ?
Annie :)
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second picture, bottom row, far right....looks like a proper soldier ;)
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Wow! is that really him ? - how cool is that ??
If MR doesn't have a photo - she'll be thrilled !!
Annie :)
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i'm guessing!!!
BUT according to the first post he was a soldier before WW1 so i bet we can rule out those fresh (clean shaven) faces
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james.h beckett
18th batt manchester regt
10089
B.coy, V platoon
enlisted sept 1914
age 25 on enlistment
born and lived in south manchester
father john beckett
brothers possibly albert,fred and william
sisters possibly clara and sarah
his father was born at weston shropshire,both sisters and his brother william born shrewsbury
his platoon sgt,reggy dootson was killed in action on 30-7-16 during the battle of the somme,his corporal,william [bill] hetherington was taken prisoner
mack
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different james then ?
"James LAFFIN - Shropshire Light Infantry on 1901 census."
11 is a bit young for 'boy' init?
bet it was his father, i've seen james and john mixed up before
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james H becketts shoulder title
(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/29446097-S.jpg)
and cap badge
(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/29451332-S.jpg)
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different james then ?
"James LAFFIN - Shropshire Light Infantry on 1901 census."
11 is a bit young for 'boy' init?
bet it was his father, i've seen james and john mixed up before
chris,james laffin is 36 year old on the 1901 census,mack
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i'll shut up at this point ;D
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chris,sgt james beckett became an officer[2Lt] but the other lad you posted has a number from around 1916,thats when they started to call up the married men,william would have been about 35 in 1914,and probably married,what do you think,mack
both survived the war
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Thanks a lot, everyone!
James H Beckett is definitely the right guy, and so is James Laffin. I guess I'll never know for sure about William - it might be him, but there's not enough to say.
One of James' grandaughters has sent me a photocopy of part of the first pic you posted, and he is 2nd from right, back row.
The details make these people much more real...
Rambler
PS. Champagne and custard creams? Beurkk!
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EXCEPTIONAL,you really pulled out all the stops on this one folks,and rounded off perfectly with a picture from MR,crack open another bottle of champers,mack
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just to confirm
this is JH Beckett?
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That's the guy marked on my photocopy.
Rambler