Private Herbert Folwell 13th (Service) Battalion The Manchester Regiment

Manchester Regiment Badge

Herbert Folwell enlisted in Leicester into the Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) where he was a private No.47558. He was later transferred into the West Riding Regiment and finally to the 13th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regiment (No.39104).

In 1901 Herbert was living with his parents James and Annie and his older sister Edith (aged 7) in Stretton Lane, Great Glen. Herbert was 5 at the time. His father was a Coal Agent working for Ward & Son who had a depot at the Great Glen railway station

The 13th Manchesters were part of 66th Brigade, 22nd Division which left France for Salonika in October 1915 in order to help the Serbs in their fight against the Bulgarians. In the event the Serbs had already been beaten when they arrived but they stayed on even against some Greek political opposition. Herbert did not join them until sometime later.
During 1917, there was comparatively little activity on the British part of the front in Macedonia, due in part to complex political changes in Greece throughout the year. The main fighting took place around Lake Doiran, where the line was adjusted several times by each side early in the year. In April 1917, the British attacked, gained a considerable amount of ground and resisted strong counter-attacks. There were 3 ‘Battles of Doiran’. The first took place on 24th/25th May 1917.

Lake Doiran Macedonia

The War Diary of 13th Manchesters for that battle records ‘Heavy shelling was suffered on the western slopes of the P5 ridge near Doldzeli where the Battalion was dug in. The enemy attacked and got into our trenches. They were driven back and were caught in our fire. They attacked repeatedly but were driven back on each occasion.
Intense bombardment took place over 6 days and casualties were heavy on both sides.’

Included in the casualties was Herbert Folwell who died on Wednesday 25th April 1917. He was just 19.

Herbert is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial in Greece. Details of how to find the memorial can be found on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site.

Doiran Memorial

Herbert's Family Memorial

Herbert's name also appears on the family grave stone in St Cuthbert's Churchyard in Great Glen.

If you wish to know more about the Manchester Regiment's time in Salonika then visit the Regimental Museum in Ashton under Lyne. Click on the link for details.

Manchester Regiment Museum

Herbert was entitled to the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.