Over the last 150 years, Old Mancunians have fought in the Boer War, WWI, WWII and other conflicts. Many OMs have been mentioned in despatches, and a number have been decorated for their service.
The Victoria Cross is often regarded as the most prestigious honour. Two Old Mancunians have received a VC:
William Nickerson
William Nickerson was born in 1875 to an English family in Dorchester, Canada. His family moved back to the UK during his childhood and he was educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and Manchester Grammar School before going on to study Medicine at Owen's College, an institution that would later become the University of Manchester. Upon his graduation in 1898 he joined the R.A.M.C. and served in the British Army attached to the Mounted Cavalry during the Boer War. He received the Victoria Cross in 1900 and his citation reads as follows:
"At Wakkerstroom, on the evening of the 20th April, 1900, during the advance of the Infantry to support the Mounted Troops, Lieutenant Nickerson went, in the most gallant manner, under a heavy rifle and shell fire, to attend a wounded man, dressed his wounds, and remained with him till he had him conveyed to a place of safety."
A cigarette card celebrating Victoria Cross recipients
The following year he was mentioned in despatches. He served in WWI in Salonica at a casualty clearing station, eventually rising to become Director of Medical Services. His time in Salonica also led to decorations - the Companion Order of St Michael & St George in 1916, the Greek Medal for Military Merit and the Companion Order of Bath in 1919. Post-war, Nickerson had a long career as an army medical professional, with posts in Egypt, India and Sierra Leone.
Nickerson returned to MGS in 1904 to unveil a memorial to fellow OMs who were killed in the Boer War. In his speech, he recommended that the School should set up a "rifle club", and by 1909, High Master Paton had created an Officer Training Corps for MGS.
William Forshaw
William Forshaw was born in 1890 in Barrow-in-Furness. He was educated at Barrow Grammar School before going to study at the University of London. He was an Assistant Master at North Manchester School between 1913 – 14 teaching Physics and Maths. When WWI broke out he joined the 9th Manchester Regiment as Captain. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915.
The citation was as follows:
'For most conspicuous bravery and determination at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, from 7 to 9 August 1915. When holding the north-west corner of 'The Vineyard', Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Forshaw was attacked and heavily bombed by Turks, who advanced time after time by three trenches which converged at this point, but he held his own, not only directing his men and encouraging them by exposing himself with the utmost disregard to danger, but casually lighting bomb fuses with his cigarette, and personally throwing them continuously for forty one hours. When his detachment was relieved after twenty four hours he volunteered to continue the direction of the operations. Three times during the night of 8/9 August he was again heavily attacked, and once the Turks got over the barricade, but after shooting three with his revolver, he led his men forward and recaptured it. When he rejoined his battalion he was choked and sickened by bomb fumes, badly bruised by a fragment of shrapnel, and could barely lift his arm from continuous bomb throwing. It was due to his personal example, magnificent courage and endurance that this very important corner was held.'
Forshaw remained in the army until 1922, serving in India. He then returned to the UK and returned to teaching. He served in the Home Guard during WWII but died in 1943.
Following his VC, Forshaw was celebrated in the pages of Ulula:
“We claim a slight share in the honour—the greatest that a soldier can receive—recently awarded to Capt. W. T. Forshaw, who was a master at the North Manchester School. He was decorated with a V.C. for conspicuous gallantry in the Dardanelles. He threw bombs at the enemy for 41 hours, and miraculously escaped unhurt, though when relieved he could hardly move his arms. This achievement rang far and wide all over the country, but was nowhere more heartily celebrated than by Mr. Dennis and the young Owls at North Manchester.”
Forshaw (fourth from left in uniform) upon his visit to North Manchester School
He received a hero's welcome upon his visit to North Manchester School in 1919 where he was presented with a silver tea service and an illuminated address created by artist and OM John Mansbridge
The address read:
"To Lieut. W. T. Forshaw, V.C. : We, present and past members of this School, desire to offer you our warmest congratulations on the wonderful bravery and endurance you displayed from August 7th to August 9th, 1915, in holding trenches at the Dardanelles, under conditions of the greatest danger and difficulty, for which service his Majesty King George V has been pleased to decorate you with the highest military award, the Victoria Cross. Your heroism has conferred on our School high honour, and an enviable distinction. You have set us an example of loyalty and devotion to duty which will ever remain a priceless heritage of the School and a stimulus to all who teach and are taught within its walls. We therefore ask your acceptance of this address and the gift accompanying it. We wish you many years of happiness, enriched by the knowledge that in your country's hour of need you bore a noble part."
The George Cross is equal in prestige and status to the Victoria Cross, but was created to celebrate bravery by civilians, or by members of the armed forces when not in the presence of an enemy.
William Taylor attended North Manchester School between 1921 - 1923, before moving onto the "big school" at Long Millgate, 1923 - 5. During the Second World War, Taylor was part of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. In autumn 1940, Taylor was involved in bomb and mine disposal work. He defused a mine at an RAF depot in Uxbridge during an air raid and it was this that led to the award of the George Cross in January 1941. He was later awarded an MBE in 1972.
Aside from the VC and GC, many Old Mancunians received military medals and awards during both world wars including the Military Cross, the Military Medal and the Croix de Guerre.
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