Private William Manton
The background of this man is not known at present. other than that he was probably from England.
William Manton enlisted in the Dragoons of the Line in late 1914 or the early months of 1915 (No.15673). Posted to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, he embarked for France in 1916 or the first half of 1917, probably at the end of June 1916, having been posted to the headquarters establishment of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment following the formation of that regiment in France from C and F Squadrons and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. The headquarters, formed in England and comprising 40 officers and men, joined the new regiment in France at the beginning of July.
The 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment served as corps cavalry to X Corps until August-September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Manton were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Manton was issued regimental number 41521.
In January 1918 he was transferred to the Labour Corps (No.511006) and posted to No.907 Area Employment Company. He was later transferred to the 43rd (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (No. GS/105759), manned by troops rated as medically unfit for front line duty.