The Fusilier Museum acquires WW1 rifle used at The Battle on the Somme

The Fusilier Museum, Bury has successfully acquired a rifle which was used by a fallen Fusilier at The Battle of The Somme during the First World War.

Now the museum and The Lancashire Fusiliers Association are on a mission to trace relatives of the former fusilier so they can be re-united with the rifle when it is put on display next year.

The Lee-Enfield 303 Calibre rifle was up for private auction last month and was successfully bid on by the museum.

The rifle was carried by Private Maurice Rosenthal who served with C Company, 15th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Sadly he was killed in action on the 1st July 1916 the first day of the battle of the Somme. The rifle which laid buried in the ground for nearly a century was found by gas workers who were digging up ground near Thiepval, France. It was discovered alongside the soldiers name tag as well as live ammunition inside.

Maurice was the son of Simon and Betsy Rosenthal and he was born into a Jewish family at 41 Exchange Street, Cheetham, Manchester in 1888. He had five sisters (Yetta, Leah, Kate, Mathilda and Jane) and one brother (Jacob) and he was a member of the Jewish Lads Brigade and Manchester Synagogue. He enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers on the 29th December 1915 and is believed to be buried at the Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval.

Colonel Brian Gorski MBE and Chairman of The Fusilier Museum, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to secure this unique, rifle and bring it back home to the museum where it belongs. We hope to tell Maurice’s story in a special exhibition when we re-open later next year but it would be great if we could locate some of Maurice’s family members so we can get them involved in the project too. A huge thank you to the www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk also for their extensive research and support in enabling us to secure such a fabulous item for our collection. “

The museum is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but hopes to open its doors again next year.

Anyone with any information about Private Maurice Rosenthal should contact Sarah Stevenson, Collections Manager on the following email address sarah.stevenson@fusiliermuseum.com

The Fusilier Museum in Bury, Lancashire, is home to the collections of XX The Lancashire Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Documenting over 300 years of history and heritage through permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Museum tells the rich and fascinating stories of the people who have served and continue to service in the Regiments.