delta Posted 2 February , 2006 Share Posted 2 February , 2006 Still researching the commanders and drivers of the tanks at Battle of Flers-Courcellette Current strand is George Macpherson (ex RWK) who died of wounds at a CCS on 15 Sep 1916. Does anyone have any more details? Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 2 February , 2006 Share Posted 2 February , 2006 Do you want me to cruch through the Gazette for some nuts and bolts promotions etc. or do you have that sort of information? Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted 2 February , 2006 Share Posted 2 February , 2006 SNWM entry Details Surname MACPHERSON Firstname George Service Number Date Death 15/09/1916 Decoration Place of birth Other SNWM roll MACHINE GUN CORPS Rank T/Lt Theatre of death Unknown Aye Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 2 February , 2006 Share Posted 2 February , 2006 This would be his family per 1901 Census (3 servants excluded) "Green Royde", Pedmore Worcestershire. George Macpherson abt 1852 Scotland Head, J.P. and Schoolmaster. Hilda Mary Macpherson abt 1869 Pedmore, Worcestershire, England Wife George Macpherson abt 1896 Pedmore, Worcestershire, England Son Kathleen Jane Macpherson abt 1895 Pedmore, Worcestershire, England Daughter Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 2 February , 2006 Author Share Posted 2 February , 2006 Details I have are as follows: Initially commissioned into R West Kents with fellow Wykhamist Basil Henriques and transferred to the HBMGC in Apri 1916. Macpherson was commanding one of two tanks tasked to clear the Quadrilateral to the north east of Glinchy. The ank made it to the objective but Macopherosn did not stay about to support infantry. He was seriously injured, by an artillery round, whilst going back to HQ to report. He was taken to 34 CCS at Grovetown Station but died the same day aged 20. Buried at Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte Plot IC19. Son of George and Hilda M. Macpherson of "The Lloyd House" near Wolverhampton. Would welcome any more info; have "crunched" the Gazette but may have missed something - particularly interested in the circumstances of his injury! Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 2 February , 2006 Share Posted 2 February , 2006 (edited) Is he definitely RWK as I have some EKR Gazette stuff: LG 28-4-1916 War Office 28th April, 1916. REGULAR FORCES. MACHINE GUN CORPS. The undermentioned offrs. are attached to the Corps for duty: — 14 Apr., 1916. Lt. A. H. Walker (Shrops. L.I., Spec. Res.). 2nd Lt. R. A. Winder (Midd'x R. (T.F.)). 2nd Lt. G. Macpherson (E. Kent R., Spec. Res.). 2nd Lt. B. L. Q. Henriques (E. Kent R., Spec. Res.). Temp. 2nd Lt. M. Blakeway, from York and Lanc. R., to be temp, 2nd Lt. 14 Apr., 1916, but with seniority from 10 Mar., 1915. Percival Jackling to be temp. 2nd Lt. (on prob.). 22 Apr., 1916. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= LG 28-7-1916 War Office, 28th July, 1916. REGULAR FORCES. MACHINE GUN CORPS. Motor Machine Gun Serv. The undermentioned to be temp. Lts.: — 1 July 1916. 1 July 1916. Temp. 2nd Lt. F. H. Knight. 2nd Lt. W. J. Wakley (Worc. R., Spec. Res.). 2nd Lt.' D. A. Syme (King Edward's Horse). Temp. 2nd Lt. E. R. Bertolacci. 2nd Lt. C. W. Creasey (N. Lan. R.). 2nd Lt. E. H. Hickman (Linc. R.). Temp. 2nd Lt. J. A. E. May. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. G. Merchant. Temp. 2nd Lt. R. H. L. De Thierry. Temp. 2nd Lt. G. H. Loxley. Temp. 2nd Lt. R. G. W. Stark. Temp. 2nd Lt. G. S. Grant. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. S. J. Lloyd. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. H. Vincent. Temp. 2nd Lt. A. G. C. Wheeler. Temp. 2nd Lt. F. W. Bluemel. Temp. 2nd Lt. J. E. Tull. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. B. Elliot. Temp. 2nd Lt. L. J. Bate. 2nd Lt. (on prob.) B. L. Q. Henriques (E. Kent R., Spec. Res.). 2nd Lt. (on prob.) G. Macpherson (E. Kent R., Spec. Res.). Temp. 2nS Lt. L. W. Strother. 2nd Lt. (on prob.) R. Hallack (K.O. Sco. Bord., Spec. Res.). Temp. 2nd Lt. C. T. Robinson. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. M. Swears. Temp. 2nd Lt. E. R. Parsons. 2nd Lt. H. T. Chalten (R.A. (T.F.). 2nd Lt. F. W. Lister (Worc. Yeo., (T.F.)). Temp. 2nd Lt. R. McKinnon. Temp. 2nd Lt. (on prob.) H. S. Sayer. Temp. 2nd Lt. R. C. Knight. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. W. Hitchcock. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. B. Diamond. Temp. 2nd Lt. C. J. Couch. Temp. 2nd Lt. G. G. Steven. 2nd Lt. P. P. G. Telfer (Lond. R. (T.F.)). 2nd Lt. S. H. Hastie (High. L.I., Spec. Res.). Temp. 2nd Lt. A. E. Sharp. Temp. 2nd Lt. H. R. Bell. Temp. 2nd Lt. J. L. Bagshaw. Temp. 2nd Lt. A. E. Arnold. Temp. 2nd Lt. W. Stones. http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/archiveVi...&selHonourType= I've included the whole list as a suspect that a fair few will be familiar names to you.... Steve. EDIT: Henriques is also down as East Kent Regiment. No wonder I couldn't find him (George) at first! Edited 2 February , 2006 by Stebie9173 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 3 February , 2006 Author Share Posted 3 February , 2006 Steve brilliant - many thanks Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Delta, George Macpherson was featured on Matthew Pinsent's WDYTYA tonight. He was Pinsent's great-uncle on his paternal grandmother's side. It appears that he shot himself with his revolver upon returning from his "failed" attack at the Quadilateral. The programme featured Trevor Pidgeon assisting Mr. Pinsent in his search. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Yes, I watched this programme tonight too and as soon as I saw this thread I knew it was him. The references from tonight's programme were harrowing to hear - they told his story in some detail. The details were from an account by Henriques (spelling?) who wrote in depth of the attack, telling how MacPherson's tank initally broke down and Henriques had to go it alone across no-man's land but then turned back under heavy fire, by which time MacPherson's tank was mobile again and he went forward, only to have to return as well. It was at this point, down a lane, he get out of the tank and walked some distance away and shot himself. No-one knows the reason why, only assumptions can be made. They also covered two other members of Matthew Pinsent's family who died in WWI with some good film footage of the war Enriques included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyford Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Didn't the programme say that he was 19 years old at the time and it was thought that he would have set off having been told that the fate of 3 divisions of the Army was in his hands by his actions that day. Unbearable for anyone, let alone a young and inexperienced officer. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beech Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Don't know if you saw Who Do You Think You Are Tonight? George MacPherson was the brother of the maternal grandmother (I think!!) of the Olympic Rower Matthew Pinsent. Trevor Pidgeon described how his tank broke down and was restarted but failed to make any impact. MacPherson felt he had been a failure and apparently shot himself. The programme went to his school where the records showed him as died of wounds (commiitted suicide). Incidently, Matthew Pinsent's paternal grandfather lost a brother at Gallipoli and another flying with the RFC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lewis Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 George MacPherson is remembered here http://www.wolverhamptonwarmemorials.org.u...lomews_penn.htm on a memorial in Penn Wolverhampton Regards Doug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Lieutenant George Macpherson. Son of G. Macpherson Esq., of Wolverhampton - was born on March 7th, 1896, and came to Winchester from Lockers Park: He was Senior Co. Prae. form 1914 to 1915 and played for two years in Association XI. He obtained a commission soon after leaving school in the East Kent Regiment and was transferred thence in April 1916 to the Machine Gun Corps, eventually joining a Tank Squadron. He fell near Albert on September 15th, 1916, in one of the earliest Tank attacks. Source: Wykehamists Who Died in The War 1914 - 1918, Volume IV, Page 30-31. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stiletto_33853 Posted 18 October , 2007 Share Posted 18 October , 2007 Macpherson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hector Posted 21 October , 2007 Share Posted 21 October , 2007 There is a likeness dont you think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 13 June , 2008 Share Posted 13 June , 2008 I am a new member who is researching the attack by tanks C19, C20 & C22 on the Quadrilateral (Sidow Hohe) as a part of the general attack by the 6th Div (71st & 16th Bgdes) on 15/9/1916. There is some dispute as to the apparent suicide of George MacPherson (see Peter Hart: "The Somme" pp 404 & Christy Campbell: "Band of Brigands", pp203). It is worth digging out the memoire & biography of Basil Henriques. By the way he went to Harrow not Winchester. I also have a great respect for the work of Trevor Pidgeon & I was about to open a discussion with him when he sadly became ill & died. I will be most grateful if anyone can throw further light on the events of that day especially about the 1st Bn. Leicestershire regt (71st Bgde). Colin Hardy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 13 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 13 June , 2008 Colin - welcome to the Forum There is undoubted dispute as to the circumstances of George Macpherson's death - what exactly did Basil Henriques write. Whilst I don't wish to challenge a newcomer, could you please confirm the source of your statement re his attendance at Harrow. Certainly he appears in the list of Wykhamist who served - was he at both schools? Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Colin - welcome to the Forum There is undoubted dispute as to the circumstances of George Macpherson's death - what exactly did Basil Henriques write. Whilst I don't wish to challenge a newcomer, could you please confirm the source of your statement re his attendance at Harrow. Certainly he appears in the list of Wykhamist who served - was he at both schools? Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Stephen: Details of Basil Henriques' schooling can be found on page 3 of his memoires: "Indiscretion of a Warden". I quote: "I was brought up in comparative luxury at home, but not extravagantly, and before going to Harrow was sent to two excellent preparatory schools, first to Elstree and then to Locker's Park." Interesting that that is the same prep school as Geo. Macpherson! See also "Basil Henriques: A Portrait" by his brother-in-law L.L.Loewe. Recently I discovered in the Tank Museum archives Henriques' "Lecture on the Attack on the Quadrilateral". This was given at Bovington in March, 1917. It includes maps which show the actual route of the tanks from Chimpanzee valley to Wedge Wood. It seems that Trevor Pigeon did not see this document hence his interpretation that they went to the west of Angle Wood & mine that they went east of Angle Wood were both wrong! Currently I am revisiting the relationship between Basil & George & what happened between the 13th & 15th Sept., 1916 & subsequent events. E-mails & telephone calls have so far taken me from Aberdeenshire to London Rabbis & synagogues! Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 12 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Colin - brilliant bit of research. I understood Henrqiques went to Harrow (as did others who served with the Tanks) but don't udnerstand how Macpherson went to Harrow if he appears in the list of Wykhamists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stebie9173 Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 The extract posted reads to me as if George McPherson went to one of the Preparatory schools of Elstree or Locker's Park, rather than Harrow. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin.hardy35 Posted 14 July , 2008 Share Posted 14 July , 2008 Colin - brilliant bit of research. I understood Henrqiques went to Harrow (as did others who served with the Tanks) but don't udnerstand how Macpherson went to Harrow if he appears in the list of Wykhamists. He didn't! George was a Wykemist & Basil an Old Harrovian. But both went to Locker's Park prep. School, Hemel Hempstead but at different times. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 14 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 July , 2008 The mists clear... thank you Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 22 August , 2010 Author Share Posted 22 August , 2010 Colin Good to read your article in Stand To Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 14 June , 2013 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2013 Have just come across this picture on e-bay It was MacPherson's tank on 15 September but later had a number of commanders. Rob Martin says the tank being abandoned on 15 November 1916 - presumably near Beaumont Hamel - but I have never seen this image before. Any idea where the tank was photographed Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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