Manchester

[Katie]

I am trying to gain Information on the following serviceman

Private Michael Flanagan/Flanaghan
1st Battalion Manchester Regiment
Regiment Number 906

This soldier appeared as being wounded in a casualty list published 10th May 1915.
He was reported to have died of wounds received in a list published 13th July 1915

His Medal card records him as being dead/deceased.

In order for him to be put forward as a non commemorated casualty of World War One I need to obtain documentary proof apart from the Casualty list.

I am assuming that he is from the Manchester Area. Can anyone from that area see if he is recorded in the Manchester Roll of Honor in Manchester Cathedral.


Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Help me get him on the CWGC

[Hilary]

There is a great deal written on his medal card and what appear to be other numbers and something that looks like the word surname.

Maybe one of our Great War experts could translate the card as it might give clues.

On his other card it says to re co re surname 12. 1. 21 I wonder what that all means?

[daggers]

I have had a peep at the card online and does indeed say that he died, but not 'of wounds' or 'kia' which many do, but many have no such entry.
He must have been a regular soldier to have crossed to France on 9/11/14, and having such a low number.
The writing at top left shows the alternative spelling as 'Flanghan', which seems unusual.
The pencilled note in the centre says 'to Recs re surname 12/2/2?'. Recs will be the regimental record office where a soldier's basic papers were held. This was probably to determine the correct version of the name.
'1743KR1912' is the section of Kings Regulations which states that, if unclaimed after ten years, medals will be destroyed. As a private soldier's medals would be sent to the person named in his records as next of kin, it seems that they had not been delivered, and had been returned by the Post Office. Although some ribbons were available during the war years, the medals themselves were not issued until a couple of years after the armistice.

There is a web forum about the Manchester Regiment, and it might be worth a visit there.

D

[Katie]

Thanks for your replies. Daggers I spent yesterday on the search engines trying to get information. Tried to join the Manchester Forum which they are not accepting any new members. I have sent of a request to Tameside regarding this soldier. So hopefully I will hear something back.

I have done a some research into others from the same battalion who appeared in the list of wounded with him to try and narrow down the approximate date of him being wounded. (see below)

Casualty List Published 10th May 1915-Liverpool Courier

Wounded list

Manchester Regiment-1st Battalion

Flannagan 906 Michael
Haigh 7499 Harry Records Ancestry
Hart 2489 Joseph
Hennighan 2573 William Enlisted 22nd August 1914 Discharged 31st May 1916 SWB
Warburton 4832 Lawrence 14th March 1915 Killed in action
Woods 1392 Nathaniel 12th March 1915 Died of wounds (This soldier appeared in a list published 12th May 1915 as having Died of wounds)
Wright 2691 Isaac 10th March 1915 Killed in action

The lists were published 3 to 4 weeks after the incident but when Major Battles took place 6 weeks (Don't want the folks back home to know the carnage). As you can see two of them were killed in action. The War Office or those at the front when compiling the casualty list recorded soldiers as being wounded. A few months later they would be reported as wounded and missing and a few months later sometimes up to 4 years later they, were officially declared dead.

We can only try our best on this one and send what I find to Terry Denham. We may not be able to confirm he Died of wounds, but at least we can try.

These lists are a fascinating resource social history wise on how the War Office reported the casualties.

[daggers]

I have been on the Mcr forum a year or two ago. If I can find my password I'll have a go tomorrow.
D

PS. I have put the query on the Manchester Regt forum.
D

[Katie]

Thank you D

[Katie]

I have today recieved a response from The Manchester Regiment museum, couldn't open the attachment, but I was able to open it in notepad. It was just a information leaflet on researching the Manchester Regiment. I guess a email to Fulwood barracks is my next course. Determined to find something on this man now. So a trip to Manchester may be coming up. I'll go the cheap way via Wigan Wallgate.

[daggers]

A mod of the Mcr Regt forum said he would look after work, but nothing has appeared yet.
D

[Katie]

Thanks D. How come they won't let me join?

[daggers]

Katie
The Manchesters forum mod has not been able add anything to what you have except saying that 'died' is on both the MICs. I saw only one.
I know that others have found that forum difficult, but it has been ok for me on the few times I have used it. Let me know if you have queries for it.
D

[Katie]

Hi Daggers

One Medal Card says Died and One says Dec'd. Bit disappointed with Tameside. I'll try Fulwood Barracks to-morrow.

Could also put something in the Manchester Eveing News,

Daggers with his Regimental number being 906 does that mean its possible he was a reservist, and may have already served? before WW1

[daggers]

Katie
I'm not sure about that, but I believe FMP have some pre1914 records. I don't have access.
D

[MaryA]

Sorry don't see anything with that number.

[Katie]

Just searched Scotland and did find a John Michael Flannigan who died of Pneumonia. Served on HMS "Tiger" He is on CWGC.

[dickiesam]

I have found these two entries but no dates apart from WW1.

Manchester Roll of Honour © of Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society

First Name(s): M
Last Name: Flanagan
Company: Manchester Corporation

First Name(s): M.
Last Name: Flanagan
Company: Cooperative Wholesale Society Ltd.

[Katie]

Thank you Dickiesam a bit more to put in his record. I think I will have to get in touch with that Society.

[Katie]

Just phoned Fulwood Barracks and they directed me back to Tameside. Tried the number no answer. So it looks like little ole me is going to Manchester to find out about this soldier. Terry Denham reckons that as it says died on his MIC card that he died in England. I cannot find any trace of his death here.

[dickiesam]

Terry Denham reckons that as it says died on his MIC card that he died in England. I cannot find any trace of his death here.

A search of civil death registrations, all counties, with a YoB of 1885 +/- 20, 1915 to 1920, gave only six hits with just one in Lancashire...

FLANAGAN, Michael
Registration district: Liverpool
Year of registration: 1919; Dec qtr
Age at death: 25
Volume no: 8B; Page no: 89

[Katie]

Thanks DS.

I have a Thomas Dowd 1st Manchester Regiment No 902 killed 14th March 1915 and he was born Liverpool. So I am trying to find him to see how old he was so I can estimate the age of Michael.

[dickiesam]

Thanks DS.

I have a Thomas Dowd 1st Manchester Regiment No 902 killed 14th March 1915 and he was born Liverpool. So I am trying to find him to see how old he was so I can estimate the age of Michael.

Death: DOWD, Thomas
Unit: Manchester Regiment
Rank: Private; Number: 902
Year: 1915
Volume: I.17; Page: 11
Record source: GRO War Death Army Other Ranks (1914 to 1921)