1ST BN MANCHESTER REGT 1944-45
THE MANCHESTERS IN NORTH WEST EUROPE
June 1944 - May 1945
TELLING THEIR STORY
On the afternoon of Friday 23rd June 1944, the advance party of 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment set foot on French soil. After years of training, the battalion had embarked upon a journey which would take them from the landing beaches, through war torn Europe to the shattered ruins of Hamburg.
Supporting the 53rd (Welsh) Division with Vickers Machine Guns and 4.2'' Mortars, weapons this mechanised unit brought forward on carriers. In this specialist role, the men of the battalion served through Normandy to the carnage of Falaise and then on, via a lightening dash across France and Belgium to the continental delights of Antwerp. From there, into Holland and the liberation of the city of s'Hertogenbosh and a winter which saw action in the ice and snow of the Ardennes. By 1945, the Manchesters turned to Germany, advancing through the mud of the Reichwald Forest, across the Rhine and on to VE-Day on the banks of the Elbe.
Some 47 Officers and Men never returned to their loved ones, many more were wounded or injured along the way. But, while that pool of shared experience was extensive, relatively few spoke of their experiences - stories of heroism, endurance, comradeship and army life.
This project aims to tell the story of the men who wore the Fleur-de-lis cap badge with pride.
About the Project
Starting that age old question of "what did Grandad do in the war?", this research project has grown from seeking to understand more about one subaltern's war to the experiences of the battalion with which he served. If enough information can be unearthed to build on the limited information in print and in archives it will form a new history of the battalion which served in Europe.
Supporting the Project
While many of those who served in the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in North West Europe did not speak of their time in uniform, some did. Still more left records behind - letters, diaries, photographs and memoirs.
Whether in memory or in ink, this information helps to shed light on that shared story. We're appealing now for the families and friends of Manchester Regiment veterans to get in touch and to share even small details which will help piece together a picture which is slipping from living memory.
GET IN TOUCH
If you have a Manchester Regiment story to share then please get in touch and help to tell the story of those who served.
Alternatively, if you have a question or would simply like to find our more, feel free to ask and we'll be happy to help or direct you.