PRIVATE E. GREEN, 2ND BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. Two: Queen’s South Africa Medal, 3 cl

PRIVATE E. GREEN, 2ND BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. Two: Queen’s South Africa Medal, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (officially impressed, 5647 Private, Manchester Regiment) King’s South Africa Medal, 2 clasps (5647 Private, Manchester Regiment). Good Very Fine.

Group accompanied by photocopied extract from Boer War casualty roll, Medal Index Card and Commonwealth War Graves Commission casualty details (surname spelt Greene on latter two documents), which confirm that 5647 Private Edward Green(e) was taken prisoner of war at Tyger Kloof on 6th November 1901 (later released), continued to serve with the Manchester Regiment during the inter-war years, saw active service during the First World War, in France and Flanders, entering that theatre of operations on 27th August 1914 (also entitled 1914 Star and bar trio and clasp), and was killed in action on 10th July 1916. Private Greene was the son of W and Bridget Greene. The Commonwealth War Graves casualty details give his age at the time of death as 30 years (if this is correct, then he would have been only 15 or 16 years of age when he was taken prisoner during the Boer War). Private Greene has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 13a and 14c.

On 6th November 1901, at Tyger Kloof, the rear-guard of a column commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Reay, that had been sent to Bethlehem with orders to take away the civilian population, was rushed by Boers from a Kommando that had been persistently sniping the column as it moved along. The rear-guard, comprising F Company of the 2nd Manchesters, suffered a number of casualties as a result, the regimental history stating that three men were killed, one officer and two men wounded (the other ranks wounded also being taken p.o.w.) and eleven other ranks taken prisoner of war, the latter including Private Green. The Boers apparently refused to release the prisoners at the time, apart from one of the wounded men, and instead took them over the Basutoland border, where they were eventually set free.

The 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment saw extensive service during the Battle of the Somme, being actively involved from the first day of that battle. The battalion moved forwards from Senlis Camp into positions at Black Horse Shelters and Crucifix Corner during the night of 30th June. In the early hours of the following morning, the battalion assembled in Authuille Wood for the attack on the Leipzig salient, their objective being taken and held against heavy enemy counter-attacks. The battalion was withdrawn from the front line on 3rd July, but five days later was moved forward to Ovillers post, and was in action on the western side of the village from the 8th to 10th July, gaining some ground. Private Green(e) was killed during the final day of this action, following which the battalion was withdrawn from the front line.