Two tankards that were presented to M. Tanter, Mayor of Francilly -Selency, on the occasion of the unveiling, on the 30th June 1996, of a memorial to the 2nd and 16th Battalions who fought on Manchester Hill.

 

The text, translated from French, reads:

Manchester Hill

Francilly-Selency

2nd Battalion

The Manchester Regiment

2nd April 1917

and

16th Battalion

The Manchester Regiment

21st March 1918

 

Manchester Hill gained its name when it was captured by the 2nd Battalion on the 1st and 2nd April 1917. Almost a year later it was the site of the 16th Battalion's desperate fight on the 21st March 1918.

The German Spring Offensive overwhelmed the battalion, but led by Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob they held on all day and bought other units time to organise their defences.

Wilfrith was killed during the fighting. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroism.