Cleethorpes - 3rd Battalion The Manchester Regiment

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Reference WMO/251771

Address:

Cleethorpes Cemetery

Beacon Avenue

Cleethorpes

DN35 8EQ

England

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Status: On original site
Type: Freestanding
Location: External
Setting: Within a garden/park/churchyard/enclosure/Marketplace
Description: Latin cross
Materials:
  • Stone Sandstone
Lettering: Incised
Conflicts:
  • First World War (1914-1918)
About the memorial: Large altar style memorial with a larger central section with a cross on. History of the Memorial- During the First World War, the 3rd Manchester Regiment was responsible for defending the coast around Cleethorpes, and to the area north and south. They men were billeted in the town and amongst the sand dunes known as the Humberston Fitties. On Saturday March 31st,1916, a train bearing men of this regiment, many of whom had only been in the army a few weeks, drew into Cleethorpes railway Station. They marched along the sea front, and were billeted in houses along the sea front and also in the Baptist Chapel. Local people hurried around with cups of tea, cigarettes and sweets to make the men feel at home. Meanwhile, in Germany, not far from the River Elbe, Commander Dietrich, set off in his Zeppelin L21 towards the Humber, but had engine trouble on the way, and about 0130 hours that Saturday night, the 1stApril, 1916, dropped bombs on which he said was Grimsby, but turned out to Cleethorpes. The bombs fell on the Council House, Seaview Street and the Baptist Chapel where some of the men from the 3rd Manchester’s were billeted. The local people along with the emergency services helped with the rescue effort, but 31 members of the Regiment died that night. On Tuesday, 4 April 1916, twenty-four were buried in Cleethorpes Cemetery, five of the deceased were taken to their home towns by their relatives. The Military Funeral was very impressive. The Massed Bands of the 3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment, 4th Battalion Manchester Regiment and the 3rd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment took part. The 24 coffins were carried on eight motor lorries, draped with the Union Jack and covered with wreaths and other floral tributes received from the General Officer Commanding and Staff, Officers and Ladies of The Regiment, the several Sergeants Messes, all Companies of the Battalion, Regiments, Batteries and Schools of Instruction in the Command, Members of St Peter's Church and Baptist Churches, the Hebrew congregation of Grimsby and Sisters of Brighowgate Hospital and numerous friends in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and vicinity. There were present about 70 mourners of the deceased, followed by the whole of the 3rd Battalion Manchester Regiment and detachments of the 4th Battalion Manchester Regiment, the 3rd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, Royal Navy, VAD, the General Officer Commanding and Staff, the Cleethorpes District Council, Cleethorpes tradesmen and friends. The 24 coffins were laid in two long graves, adjoining each other in Cleethorpes Cemetery, one for the Church of England and the other for the Roman Catholic deceased. No 2425 Pte W Bodsworth, who died from injuries on 4 April 1916, was interred two days later in the same grave with full Military Honours and his funeral was also largely attended. No 34625 Pte J Corfield died on 6 April 1916, his body being removed to his hometown by relatives. On the 9th March 1918, a massive white stone memorial cross was unveiled in Cleethorpes Cemetery by Brigadier General CB Westmacott, ADC, Commanding No 2 Section Humber Garrison, in memory of the NCOs and men who were killed in the air raid. On arrival at the Cemetery, the Battalion was formed up in two sides of a square, the Guard of Honour in front of the Memorial. Brigadier General Westmacott then made an address, stating the event, which the Memorial had been raised to commemorate, announcing the sources from which the necessary monies had been collected and thanking the persons who had helped in many ways. George Moody Esq, JP Chairman of the Cleethorpes Council replied. The Memorial was then unveiled, the Buglers sounding the Last Post. A large number of relatives and friends were present. Every year after that tragic event, the mayor of Manchester sent a wreath to mark the memorial on the anniversary of the day of the event and on Remembrance Day, a special service was held at the graveside, but this was discontinued. On 22nd August, 1986, Mr Pete Stacey organised for wreaths to be placed at the memorial. He arranged for 3 of the survivors of the raid to present, and along with their families, and representatives of the armed services, organised a service in memory of the event. Two trees were planted, either side of the memorial in Cleethorpes Cemetery, as can be seen below. A Photograph album, showing the events of the day is displayed by at Council House, Cleethorpes Town Hall to mark the occasion. The trees have since been destroyed and only the marks where they were planted remain. The memorial is in good condition, and is tended by the graveyard staff. Mr Pete Stacey is responsible for the planting of flowers around the memorial, and cleans the stones periodically. The below photographs show the planting of a tree by one of the survivors of the original raid in August, 1986. The second shows the memorial in the autumn sunshine.
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In memoriam NCOs & men 3rd Battalion The Manchester Regt

31 names listed. NO 33055 LC CPL SWIFT J “ 32325 “ “ HAYNES A “ 30558 PTE BALL W “ 34637 “ BEAUMONT L A “ 32238 “ BEARDSLEY J “ 9779 “ BELL S “ 2425 “ BODSWORTH W “ 30177 “ BRIERLEY T “ 34621 “ BROWN W H “ 34619 “ BUDDING E “ 32914 “ CHANDLER F NO 32997 PTE CHANDLER J NO 33107 PTE HARRISON P “ 34618 “ CLOWES J “ 30126 “ HETHERINGTON W “ 34625 “ CORFIELD J “ 32278 “ PIERCE T “ 34633 “ CUTHBERT H “ 27724 “ RADFORD J “ 30241 “ DIMELOW F “ 30244 “ DIVENEY T “ 27902 “ RAMSDEN H “ 32215 “ DOWNS A “ 30179 “ RUSSELL J “ 34620 “ FOX R “ 32275 “ TOMKINSON G “ 33034 “ FRANCIS W “ 27591 “ WHEELER J “ 32263 “ HANNON T “ 34639 “ WILD W “ 27537 “ WOOD R

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