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HOME "One in a Million" RESEARCH 15952 L/Cpl.Fred Latham M.M. |
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Early life and the outbreak of war Fred Latham was born on 27th April 1898 at Olive House in Upholland , Lancashire, the son of a farmer and his wife - Frederick and Ellen Latham. By 1901, he was living at Knowles Farm, Roby Mill along with his father, an uncle, a cousin and his grandmother. There is no mention of Fred's mother as all evidence points to the possibility that she had died when he was just 2 years of age.
Not destined to follow his father into the agricultural world, young Fred gained employment at the age of 14 , in 1912 , at the Pemberton Colliery where he looked set to pursue his career. However, within 2 years ,events on the other side of Europe were to change the lives of the Lathams and millions of other families worldwide forever. On the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, thousands of young (and not so young!) men across the Empire flooded to the recruiting offices in order to join the Army and "do their bit for King and Country" before the war (which many believed would be over by Christmas) ended. 16 year old Fred was just one of these many thousands. After ,at first being turned away due to his youth, Fred succeeded in enlisting at Wigan in November 1914. He was enlisted into the 14th (Reserve) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment and given the service number 15952. Then, after spending 9 months training in England (Grantham, Lincs.) ,Fred went to war. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gallipoli He arrived, as a reinforcement for the 11th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment (a battalion in which he remained for the rest of the war - and his life!) at Gallipoli on 21st September 1915. At the time of his arrival, the 11/Manchesters were held in reserve back on the beaches at Suvla. The battalion history records that ,at this time, the health of the battalion was very poor and the water supply very bad. Fred's first time at the front came a week later, on 28th September, when the battalion moved into the firing line near Jephson's Post.
Here they stayed until 7th October and, apart from Turkish snipers, had a fairly quiet time. On October 10th, it seems that the Turks had received fresh supplies of ammunition and so heavy shell fire was experienced for several days . The battalion went back into the line again below Jephson's Post on the 18th October ,"P" and "Q" companies and "R" and "S" companies alternating between the firing line and reserve trenches at Oxford Street, near the Regimental HQ. The health of the battalion at this point is recorded as "improving". On 19th October, a bombardment of "The Pimple" and "Bench Mark" took place in which the battalion snipers and machine-gunners took advantage of the gaps in the Turkish parapets made by the artillery to cause many casualties. The next three days brought intermittent shelling, but only one battalion casualty is recorded. The remainder of the stint in the front line remained relatively quiet , save for artillery and snipers. The battalion then moved into reserve dug-outs at Holborn and Leather Lane (November 3rd) after 16 continuous days in the fire trenches.
A fresh move ensued on the 7th November when they were moved to dugouts on the beach below the Karakol Gap ,then returned to Corps reserve on West Beach where the battalion was engaged in general fatigues on the beach. A violent thunderstorm broke over the peninsular on the 26th November which washed away dugouts and flooded trenches, not to mention soaking the men to the skin. The following days were also bitterly cold and wet and it was impossible to get dry. On 29th November gale force winds and a howling blizzard forced many of the battalion to take shelter at the A.S.C. dump. Hard frost followed and there was much suffering by the soldiers. Some 200+ men were hospitalised by frostbite and hypothermia and 23 were discovered to be missing after the storms. On 2nd December they returned to dugouts at West Beach and the weather was much improved by the 5th December. The rest of the stay at Gallipoli was taken up in fatigues and witnessing the bombardments on the Turkish trenches by the Allied Naval guns (which were usually answered by Turkish artillery). The 15th December saw the embarkation from Suvla Point on board HMT Carron which sailed from Suvla to Mudros the following morning. The dreaded Gallipoli peninsular was being left behind forever. "HMT Carron" sailed from Suvla with 27 officers and 689 other ranks, including Fred Latham. However, Fred had left behind 172 of his comrades who still , to this day, remain forever part of the peninsular. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service in Egypt After a stay under canvas at Mudros, the 11th Manchesters left on "HMT Ermine" on the 21st December for Imbros, which was reached on the morning of 22nd December 1915. Here , battalion training ensued and the general health improved readily. On Christmas Day, an enemy aircraft dropped bombs but caused no damage. The 11th remained at Imbros until January 27th 1916 when it returned to Mudros , then transhipped on "HMT Corsican" to Alexandria , which was reached on the 30th January. Training ensued after arrival at Sidi-Bashr camp, and from February 20th, when they arrived at El Ferdan. On April 23rd 1916, the Turks attacked Katia and the battalion was put on standby to move. However, by the 29th April, the situation had become normal and the battalion was "stood down". Training continued, in what was, by now, extreme heat which caused many soldiers to suffer from heat related illnesses. On June 12th, the battalion moved to Kantara, holding the outpost line until the end of the month. Orders to move arrived, and the battalion left Kantara on 30th June. They sailed on the 2nd and 3rd July on the transports "Toronto" and "Transylvania", arriving at Malta on the 6th July and Marseilles on the 8th. On the 9th, the battalion disembarked, staying at Fournier Camp (about 2 miles from the harbour). Here they remained , until July 11th, awaiting orders to entrain for the front. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Arras On July 11th, the battalion left Marseilles, bound (after various route marches and stops) for the trenches at Wailly in the Arras sector. July 20th 1916 saw them have their first taste of life on the Western Front when they relieved the 7/Liverpool's in the front-line. During this first day at the front, the battalion suffered four casualties in "S" Company due to rifle grenades. However, British artillery was called in and they duly silenced the menace. For several days, both sides were active with sniping and grenades and patrols were sent out at night to examine the enemy saps and/or strengthen the barbed wire defences. This first tour ended on 29th July when the battalion was sent to billets in Bretencourt, engaging in fatigues and Lewis Gun training.
On 8th August, the 11/Manchesters returned to the frontline, but two weeks of bad weather and basic non-activity (apart from the odd shell and the daily rifle-grenade duel) followed . On the 21st August, the battalion was relieved , a relief which was observed by a German aircraft. Fortunately, the ensuing German bombardment caused no casualties and the relief passed off without further incident. After a night's stay at Beaumetz, the battalion moved to Grand Roullecourt until the 30th August, where it was engaged in musketry and bayonet training. On 3rd September, they headed off for Puchevillers, via Frevent and Acheux, arriving on the 4th September. The usual training continued here until the afternoon of 8th September, when the battalion moved , once again, to Bouzincourt where it was held in reserve until 9.40am on the morning of 17th September 1916. From here, they moved to the chalk pit, south east of Pozieres in the heart of the Somme battlefield.
--------------------------------------------------------------------- The Somme Orders were received to support the 5/Dorsets in the area of Mouquet Farm on 18th September. However, due to bad weather, this move to the frontline was cancelled until the following day. Heavy shelling on the morning of 20th September caused 8 casualties within the battalion. A similar scenario, the following evening caused a further 15. Two patrols were sent out this same evening, one to Mouquet Farm, which observed a relief, and the other to High Trench, but observed no signs of the Germans. The following evening , the 22nd September, at 6.30pm, the front and support lines were heavily shelled . German troops were observed leaving their trenches at 7pm, when the British Artillery opened up on them. It was thought that this broke up a German attack as no offensive movement developed, though a strong attack was made on the battalion's left ,which was repulsed. Intermittent shelling continued throughout the night, with front-line HQ's receiving much attention. The battalion suffered 48 casualties this night, until they were relieved. At 6.30am on the 23rd September, they arrived behind the lines and bivouacked at Aveluy.
At this time, a large scale offensive operation was pending, in which the 11th Manchesters were to have their share... At 11am on September 26th, the battalion moved from their reserve positions at "Crucifix Corner", Aveluy to Ovillers. From here, bombing parties were despatched to Mouquet Farm to relieve similar parties from the 9/Lancs.Fusiliers. At 2.35pm, one platoon, under 2/Lt.Ormond proceeded to the same place with orders to clear up the situation as the enemy were still holding out. At 3.28pm, the remainder of the battalion moved forwards to positions around Mouquet Farm, with the Bn HQ being located in Ovillers Cemetery. At 5.50pm "R" Company advanced to occupy High Trench, with "P" Company in support. "Q" Company moved to occupy Fleet Street. There was a further advance at 7.45pm, with "S" Company reaching it's objective at 12.30am on the 27th September. However, there was no sign of the supporting units and the Germans still occupied the Zollern Redoubt.
At 8.30am, "R" Company was ordered to take the Zollern Redoubt. By 11.22am, Zollern Trench had been occupied and consolidated. Stuff Redoubt was, however, still in German hands and orders were received (at 12.49pm) to attack it at 2.30pm and take it "at all costs". This order was , however, cancelled, but the attack was to proceed against the Stuff Redoubt and Hessian Trench with the battalion in support. The attack took place with the Zollern Redoubt, Zollern Trench and the communication trench leading to the redoubt being heavily shelled and subject to persistent machine gun fire. The 6th West Yorks suffered greatly during this time. However, the 9th West Yorks and the 6th Yorks got a footing in Stuff Redoubt and Hessian Trench. German machine guns in a communication trench in front of Hessian caused a great many casualties and the attacking battalions found themselves short of ammunition and bombs (causing them to yield a little ground). "S" Company, however, rushed forwards with supplies and two Lewis Guns and the battalion remained in possession of the southern part of the redoubt and Hessian Trench to the west. A bombing attack was organised shortly after 9pm in order to "bomb" their way down several trenches to try and get in contact with the Canadians on the right. The "bombing party" (under 2/Lt.Kay), along with a Lewis Gun team, managed to reach a point between "trench 78 and 99" before they were held up with the enemy approximately thirty yards away. At 6.45am on the 28th September, 2/Lt.Kay asked for reinforcements which were duly sent. However, due to heavy machine gun fire, no advance could be made, but they did succeed in gaining communication with the Canadians. An attack was ordered for 4pm, to be made by the West Riding Regiment with as strong a contingent as possible from the 11/Manchesters . This attack was cancelled due to a report that the Germans were amassing for an attack of their own. This German assault didn't materialise. On September 29th, "P","R" and "S" Companies were withdrawn from the fighting and sent to Kay Dump. However,"Q" Company remained behind after reports were recieved of the German attack at Stuff Redoubt , being sent (at 7.40pm) to reinforce the garrison at Stuff Redoubt. The other companies were sent up to reserve at Mouquet Farm carrying supplies to the front. The 30th September saw fierce fighting continuing for the redoubt (Q Coy being in the redoubt itself and P Coy supplying them with ammunition). At 4pm an attack was organised to capture the remainder of Hessian Trench and the southern part of Stuff Redoubt which was still in German hands. This attack was to be carried out by 32nd Brigade with the battalion in support. This attack was a complete success and heralded the relief of "P","R" and "S" Companies at 4.30pm by the 2/South Lancs., and of "Q" Company at midnight by the 10/Cheshires. Upon this relief, the battalion returned to shelter at Aveluy. The operations of 26th to the 30th September 1916 had cost the battalion 309 casualties and , at some point over these five days, Fred Latham performed an act of bravery sufficient to warrant his award of the Military Medal. At 10am on 1st October, a further move was made to a camp provided for 32nd Brigade. Here, hot dinners were provided and, at 3.15pm, the battalion left in lorries for Varennes Junction whence it proceeded by train to Candas. 11.30am on 2nd October, saw the battalion leave Candas and march to Prouville, arriving at 2.10pm. The weather was very wet and everyone was drenched to the skin. On October 3rd, the battalion marched to Fransu and went into billets. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Behind the lines, the Battle of the Ancre and the German retreat Fred and the 11/Manchesters stayed at Fransu for over a month. This time was taken up by re-fitting, receiving new drafts of replacement troops and training in various capacities. Entertainment of the soldiers wasn't overlooked either, with the formation of a drum, fife and bugle band which was a great success. There were also concerts, cinemas, football matches, etc. A number of visits and inspections also ensued, such as the visit of the G.O.C., 34th Brigade on October 6th. There were also various award ceremonies, with medals and ribbons being awarded to a number of officers and men for distinguished service. Fred was awarded the Military Medal for his actions at Mouquet and Zollern at a ceremony on 19th October (his award being gazetted in the London Gazette on 9th December 1916). However, all things must end, and the battalion left Fransu on November 16th, marching to Acheux, which was reached on 20th. On 21st, they left again to a position just south of St.Pierre Divion, where they were accomodated in a very large (but crowded) German dug-out. The next day was spent clearing shells, bombs, clothing, equipment, gas cylinders, etc. in order to make more room, before heading off to take over the line between St.Pierre Divion and Grandcourt on the 23rd. An officer and two soldiers were killed and eight wounded during this move.
When the lines were reached ,the trenches were found to be new but in very bad condition. "P" and "Q" Companies were in the front-line, "S" Company in support and "R" Company in reserve. The next few days were taken up in attempting to improve the trenches, which were collapsing in some places, under almost constant shelling and sniper fire and in very wet weather conditions. There were many casualties during the next few days until they were relieved on the 30th November, whence they returned to the large dug-out and were employed in digging support trenches until they moved into billets at Forceville on December 9th. A short stay in the line north of the Ancre, extending and consolidating a series of positions , was endured between 17th and 21st December, before they were relieved and put into reserve. On Christmas Day, the battalion returned to its old billets in Forceville where they stayed until January 2nd 1917, when they returned to the reserve positions behind the frontline, improving communications trenches, work for which they received a commendation in a special "Brigade Order of the Day" of January 5th. January 6th saw them in the front-line again, which was marked by a considerable amount of shelling. They were relieved on the 10th January by the 5/Dorsets who were ordered to attack, with the Manchesters in support, a line of hostile posts 350 yds to the British front on the 11th. The objectives were gained, but lost almost immediately during a German counter-attack. Two platoons of "P" Company, 11/Manchesters now occupied the front-line trench. About mid-day, further orders to attack were received, but these were subsequently cancelled. Many casualties ensued nonetheless, due to an increasingly heavy bombardment of the front-line. The same day, the battalion was relieved (again!) and returned to Forceville. The rest period in Forceville was only brief as, on 16th January, the Manchesters found themselves supporting an attack by the 32nd Brigade, moving into the trenches ("P" and "Q" Companies to Mesnil, and "S" Company to Englebelmer) at 1pm. The following day, "P" and "Q" retired to reserve dugouts, while "S" transferred to Mesnil. The projected attack was a complete success and it was found that the Germans had evacuated many positions. On the night of 19th January, the battalion was relieved by Hawke Battalion of the R.N.D. and proceeded to Lancashire Dump, from where they were taken, by bus, to Raincheval which was reached on the 20th. Two days later, after struggling on frosty roads (in which it was decided to let the transports make their own ways at whatever speed they could manage) they arrived at Fransu. This time, the Battalion's stay here (because of the intense cold ,with much snow) mainly consisted of intensive drill of various types with interludes of Football, running and other physical activities. Though they left Fransu on 23rd February, the battalion remained behind the lines and "off duty" as such until the 24th April ... (Bonneville (23rd Feb.), Terramesnil (25th Feb.), Varennes and Mailly Wood , where they were employed in laying railways(1st March - 24th March), training at Beauquesne (24th March - 11th April), Acheux (11th April - 20th April), Grevillers , where they were engaged in completing the defences of Bapaume (20th April - 24th April)). On April 24th , they proceeded to Fremicourt, where rations were doled out prior to their advance to the front (Morchies - Beaumetz line) to relieve the 9th Bn.A.I.F.. The relief was event-free and work on the defences commenced at midnight and continued until 4am. Not much could be done, however as materials were in short supply. From the 25th of April, there was sporadic shelling and aircraft activity. This continued for several days. On 30th April, the Battalion relieved the 6th Border Regiment from their front duties, again without incident. 1st May was bright and fine with very little trench activity from either side. There was , however, much entertainment watching the aircraft of both sides fighting their own separate war. The 3rd of May heralded a violent artillery duel and fruitless patrols were sent out at night. There wasn't much movement from either side for a few days, but on 11th May, the village of Morchies was persistently bombarded by the German "heavies". On the 13th May, the battalion was relieved by 1/8 Warwicks and another move ensued. Further north this time... ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Into Belgium...Ypres and the Battle of the Ridges After "overnighting" at Fremicourt in a raging thunderstorm, the battalion marched to Montauban (14th May) thence on to Buire (16th May). After travelling all night of the 18th May, Bailleul was reached on the 19th. From here, a move was made to a camp a mile north of of Meteren where they were visited by General Plumer, commander of the Second Army, who inspected the officers (an inspection of the rank and file was abandoned due to excessively wet weather). On 20th May, two platoons ("Q" and "R") went to La Clytte to work under IX Caps Signals, whilst on the 23rd, the remainder of the battalion marched to Locre for work under the 16th and 36th Divisional Signals. The battalion was to remain in this area until June 10th, mainly employed in the burying of communications cables for the Second Army's forthcoming operations against the Wytschaete - Messines Ridge. (A short reference to the Battle of Messines... The general attack took place on June 7th 1917 when some 9 miles of commanding country were carried and held - from Ploegsteert in the south to Hill 60 and Mt.Sorrel in the north. General Herbert Plumer was in charge of the operations..... From many months prior to the attack, 22 mines containing several thousands of tons of high explosives were driven into the ridge. These were exploded under the German trenches (not all 22 went off - one was lost, one was destroyed prior to the date and another exploded during a thunderstorm in 1955!!!), signalling the "whirlwind" of an artillery bombardment before the infantry assault at 3.20am. All objectives were taken.) On 7th June 1917 (day 1 of the Messines Battle), the 11/Manchesters were to follow up the advance. At 7am (3 hours 40 minutes after the attack of the first waves), the battalion moved off in companies to the place of assembly, which was to be Boardman Trench, a few hundred yards behind what was that morning's front line. Assembly was complete by 8.45am and the battalion moved out, at 9am, to carry out the work of burying cable from the old British front line for a distance of about 1000 yards behind the old German front line. This work was carried out under constant shell fire until about 3pm when they returned to camp.
However.... during the operations of this day, the battalion had 6 killed and 11 wounded. One of the dead happened to be L/Cpl Fred Latham MM....the young gallantry medal winning survivor of Gallipoli and the Somme, multiple stints in the frontline at Arras and the Ancre, was struck down, at the age of 19, in what was ,perhaps ,one of the British Army's most successful campaigns to that date.
Fred's body was removed from the battlefield by his comrades on their return to camp at 3pm. Six graves were dug at the nearby, newly established cemetery at a small farm named "Irish House" into which Fred and his five comrades were lowered. They remain in the same graves today, in the beautifully maintained CWGC cemetery that is still named after the farm. He is also listed on the War Memorial at Upholland in Lancashire.
Copyright © 2007 [Croonaert Research Services]
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