Cpl
Alfred James Reginald Stonehewer

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
04/04/1890
Geboorteplaats:
Salford, Lancashire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Ontwerper van behangpapier

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Corporal
Service nummer:
12463
Dienstneming plaats:
Manchester, Lancashire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Manchester Regiment, 11th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
16/08/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
The Cockroft, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
27

Gedenkplaats

Tyne Cot Memorial
Paneel: 120

Onderscheidingen en medailles 3

1914-15 Star
Medaille — 12/03/1920
British War Medal
Medaille — 16/03/1920
Victory Medal
Medaille — 16/03/1920

Points of interest 2

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats

Mijn verhaal

Corporal Alfred James Reginald Stonehewer served in the Manchester Regiment 11th Battalion, part of the 34th Brigade, of the 11th (Northern) Division.

On the 16th of August 1917 the Division participated in the Battle of Langemarck, a stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. It attacked to the south of Langemarck with one brigade. The 8th Northumberland Fusiliers and the 5th Dorset Regiment were the initial assault troops for the Brigade. Once they had taken their objective the attack was to be taken over by the 11th Manchester Regiment and the 9th Lancashire Fusiliers, with the 7th South Staffs and the 9th Sherwood Foresters - of the 33rd Brigade - in support.

At zero hour the men left their positions west of the Steenbeek stream in wake of a creeping barrage. While the 11th Manchesters were crossing the Steenbeek stream they were caught by a German artillery barrage, which wounded or killed half of the Battalion’s officers. Notwithstanding the heavy casualties the Battalion took up positions near Maison Bulgare, where they awaited the moment of attack.

At 6.40 a.m. the 11th Manchesters finally pushed forward. The 8th Northumberland Fusiliers through whom they were to move through had not reached their objective and were held up by blockhouses and isolated German positions. While trying to advance the 11th Manchesters came under very heavy machine gun fire coming from Maison du Hibou and Triangle Farm. These German strongpoints - in the 48th Divisional area on their right - had not been cleared, as the attack of 48th Division had been stopped dead in its tracks. Although the Manchesters managed to reach the Cockcroft they suffered heavy casualties. The persisting enfilade fire from Maison du Hibou made any further advance neigh to impossible. With their right flank up in the air the Battalion was forced to retreat eventually forming a defensive flank near the Cemetery.

Although the ruins of Langemarck had been captured and while the 11th Northern Division had made some headway on its left flank, the attack had come at a great cost. The 11th Manchesters suffered a total of 251 casualties. Fifty-one men were killed in action, 174 men were wounded and twenty-one men were missing. Almost half of the Battalion had been incapacitated during the attack.

Corporal Alfred James Reginald Stonehewer was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 2

11 Battalion Manchester Regiment , (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1821/1).
http://www.nmarchive.com/
Verdere verwijzing
McCarthy C., Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Uniform, 2018), pg. 54-57.
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 3