Nostalgia
A look at some of the local headlines from 100 years ago this week ....
PAWNSHOP mystery: bloodstained hammer THE Manchester police are endeavouring to trace the owner of the hammer (a reproduction of which we publish) which was found at the back of a shelf at the pawnshop at 47, Barlow Street, Bradford, Manchester, where Charles Herbert Bowman, aged 27 of Oak Bank, Harpurhey, was discovered on November 27 in an unconscious condition, suffering from shocking wounds on the head, from which he died a few days later at the Ancoats Hospital.
It was at first supposed that Bowman had sustained the injuries under accidental circumstances, which led to the discovery of the hammer, which has bloodstains upon it.
Up to the time of writing the ownership of the tool has not been established.
NEW Manchester VC: Old Trafford Sergeant gains the great honour. THE Victoria Cross has been conferred upon ten more members of the forces, and among these appears the name of a Manchester soldier, Sergeant Harry Coverdale, of the Manchester Regiment, whose home is in Old Trafford, Manchester.
The deed which gained Sergeant Coverdale the much-coveted honour is officially described as under:
For conspicuous bravery in attack on enemy strong points. He showed the utmost gallantry in approaching his objective, and when close to it disposed of an enemy officer and two men who were sniping our tank, killing the officer and taking the two men
prisoners. He then rushed two machine guns, killing or wounding the teams. He subsequently reorganised his platoon in order to capture another position, but, after getting within a hundred yards of it he was held up by our own barrage, and was obliged to return, having sustained nine casualties.
Later this gallant non-commissioned officer again went out with five men to capture this position, and when he had gone some distance he saw a considerable number of the enemy advancing. He thereupon withdrew his detachment man by man. He himself being the last to retire, when he was able to report that the enemy were forming for a counter-attack.
By his gallant leadership and utter disregard of danger throughout the attack he set a splendid example of fearlessness to his men, and inspired all with a spirit of emulation, which undoubtedly contributed largely to the success of the operations.
Sergeant Coverdale, who lives with his parents at 7, Skerton Road, Old Trafford, was the second of three sons. He enlisted in the Manchester Regiment on September 7, 1914, and was soon promoted. For some months he was retained in England for the instruction of recruits, but subsequently he proceeded on active service to Egypt, and was present at the landing at Suvla Bay. He was in much of the hard fighting
during the Gallipoli campaign. Along with other members of the unit he was transferred from that front to the Western.
In the early part of this year, during an action in which his company were engaged, many of the officers and senior N.C.Os became casualties, and Coverdale took temporary command of his section, and his gallantry and devotion to duty on this occasion was awarded with the military medal.
Sergeant Coverdale, who is 29 years of age, received his education at the Bangor Street schools, Manchester, and prior to his enlistment he was in the employ of Messrs Galloways of Knott Mill. He was also prominently connected with local football circles, being the goalkeeper for the Old Trafford eleven. He has a brother in the King’s Liverpool Regiment, who has been on active service for twelve months.
DENSE fog in Manchester THE approach of Christmas is almost invariably heralded in Manchester by a visitation of fog, and this year has proved no exception to the rule. A dense fog of the “pea soup” variety has hung over the city all day, through the condition of affairs in the suburbs was much brighter.
Snow lies thick on the ground in the quieter and less populous districts in and around Manchester, but in the centre of the city it has practically disappeared. There was a keen frost early this morning.