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Robert Hargraves MEGSON

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Surname: MEGSON

Forename(s): Robert Hargraves

Place of Birth: Didsbury, Lancashire

Service No: ---

Rank: T/Captain

Regiment / Corps / Service: Manchester Regiment

Battalion / Unit: 16th (Service) Battalion. (1st City)

Division: 30th Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1917-04-23

Awards: M.I.D. twice

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 7.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)

Additional Information:

Robert Hargraves Megson (born 10 September 1887) was the son of James Manfred and Isabella Jane Megson, née Hargraves. James was born at Manchester, Lancashire and Isabella at Settle, Yorkshire. Robert was the cousin of Lieutenant Frank Hargraves, 19th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was killed in action 12 July 1916.

1891 Didsbury, Lancashire Census: 1, Holme Road - Robert H. Megson, aged 3 years, born Didsbury, son of James M. and Isabella J. Megson.

1901 Didsbury, Lancashire Census: Holme Road - Robert H. Megson, aged 13 years, born Manchester, Lancashire, son of James M. and Isabella J. Megson.

1911 Didsbury, Lancashire Census: Stockdale, Holme Road - Robert H. Megson, aged 23 years, born Didsbury, son of James M. and Isabella J. Megson.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Capt Robert Hargraves Megson, Manch. Regt. Theatre of War first served in: France. Date of entry therein: ( - ). Correspondence: J.M. Megson applies for his late son's Medals and Emblem, 5.12.20. Address: Stockdale, Holme Rd. Didsbury, Manchester.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Lieut R.H. Megson, Manchester Regiment. Date of Disembarkation: 8.11.15. [Theatre of War first served in:] (1) [France]. K. in A. 23.4.17. [Entry for 1914-15 Star.]

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Capt R.H. Megson, Manchester Regiment. K. in A. 23.4.17.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Capt R.H. Megson, 16 Manchester. Date and Place of Death: 23.4.17. In Action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Exors: James Manfred Megson Esq and Manfred Megson Esq (Jointly). £157 11s. 7d.

The informal title of the 16th (Service) Bn Manchester Regiment (1st City) was the 1st Manchester Pals.

Robert is commemorated on the Didsbury War Memorial and in Fettes College Roll of Honour.

Data Source: West Yorkshire Pioneer Article

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

MEGSON, Captain R. Hargreaves, aged 29, Manchester Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Megson, Manchester, and grandson of late Mr. R. Hargreaves, Settle, killed in April 23, 1918.

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No photo available for this Soldier
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Manchester Regiment

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Manchester Regiment

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 30th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 30th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: MEGSON

Forename(s): Robert Hargraves

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted:

Number:

Rank: Capt (Tp)

Regiment: Manchester Regiment

Battalion: 16th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 23/04/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War:

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: MEGSON

Forename(s): Robert Hargraves

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number:

Rank: Captain

Regiment: Manchester Regiment

Unit: 16th Bn.

Age: 29

Awards: Twice Mentioned in Despatches

Died Date: 23/04/1917

Additional Information: Son of James M. Megson, of Stockdale, Didsbury, Manchester.

View Additional Text

View Additional Text For Soldier Records

‘The Scotsman’ (20 January 1917)

OFFICERS “MENTIONED”

Ruthven House, Marple, Stockport, January 15, 1917.

Sir,–Some of your readers may be interested to know that two of the officers “mentioned” in Field-Marshal Sir D. Haig’s dispatches a fortnight ago–viz., Captain Robert Megson, Manchester Regiment, and Lieut. Frank Hargraves (my only son), Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the latter of whom was killed in action in France in July last, are great-grandsons of the late Mr John Wilson, a well-known agriculturist, who for about 60 years was tenant of “Nunnerie” farm, in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, and a large number of whose descendants are “serving their country” in various capacities (mostly with the Colours), in many parts of the Empire.–I am, &c.
STEPHEN HARGRAVES.

‘Dumfries & Galloway Standard & Advertiser’ (24 January 1917)

OFFICERS “MENTIONED”

Captain Robert Megson, Manchester Regiment, and Lieutenant Frank Hargraves, who were mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Somme despatch, were great-grandsons of the late Mr John Wilson, who for about 60 years was tenant of Nunnerie farm, in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire. Lieutenant Hargraves was killed in action in July. He was the only son of Mr Stephen Hargraves, Marple, Stockport.

‘The Scotsman’ (3 May 1917)

Deaths

MEGSON.–Killed in action on April 23rd Capt. ROBERT HARGRAVES MEGSON, Manchester Regt., younger son of James and Ella Megson, of Stockdale, Didsbury, Manchester, aged 29, great-grandson of the late John Wilson, Nunnerie, Lanarkshire.

‘The Scotsman’ (3 May 1917)

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

OTHER OFFICERS KILLED

Capt. ROBERT HARGRAVES MEGSON, Manchester Regiment (killed), was the younger son of Mr James Megson, of Stockdale, Didsbury, MANCHESTER, and great-grandson of the late Mr John Wilson, Nunnerie, LANARKSHIRE. He was 29 years of age, and was raised to the rank of Captain in September 1916.

‘Manchester Evening News’ (3 May 1917)

LOSSES AMONG LOCAL OFFICERS AND MEN

The casualties among officers reported to-day include the following:

KILLED

Capt. ROBERT H. MEGSON, Manchester Regiment, was the younger son of Mr. J. M. Megson, of Didsbury. He was a chartered accountant, and was 29 years of age. He had been mentioned in despatches. Well-known in local Rugby football circles, he played full back for the Manchester Club.

England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1917

MEGSON Robert Hargraves of Stockdale Holme-road Didsbury Manchester captain H.M. Army died 23 April 1917 at Cherissy in France Probate London 21 September to James Manford Megson wine merchant and Manford Megson B.A. Effects £931 19s.

DE RUVIGNY'S ROLL OF HONOUR 1914-1918 - Part Four

MEGSON, ROBERT HARGRAVES, Capt., 16th (Service) Battn. The Manchester Regt., yr. s. of James Manfred Megson, of Stockdale, Holme Road, Didsbury, by his wife Ella, dau. of the late Robert Hargraves, of Settle, co. York; b. Didsbury, co. Lancaster, 10 Sept. 1887; educ. Woodlands, Fallowfield, and Fettes College, Edinburgh; was subsequently articled to Messrs. Ashworth, Mosley & Co., Chartered Accountants, Manchester, and became a Chartered Accountant. He joined the regiment as 2nd Lieut. 10 Sept. 1914; was gazetted 6 Oct. following; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Nov. 1915, and was killed in action near Arras 23 April, 1917. Buried at Heninel. His Colonel wrote: “He was very dear to all of us; nobody was more popular or more brave, and it is impossible for me to express fully in writing how much he will be and is deeply regretted.” He was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazettes, 4 Jan. and 25 May, 1917] by F.M. Sir Douglas Haig, for gallant and distinguished service in the field; unm.

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04 May 1917

MEGSON – Killed in action on April 23rd, Capt. Robert Hargraves Megson, Manchester Regiment, younger son of James and Ella Megson, of Stockdale, Didsbury, Manchester, age 29, and grandson of the late Robert Hargraves, Stockdale, Settle.

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