Gerald Edward Levinstein

Posted on November 11, 2018 by Ant Stewart

1887 – 12^th October 1916. Manchester Regiment (26^th Battalion)

Gerald Edward Levinstein was a former Manchester FC player who was killed in action at Flers in the autumn of 1916, during the latter stages of the Somme Offensive. Gerald was born in Chorlton in 1887. His German father, Ivan, was the founder of the chemical and dye works Levinstein, Ltd, in Blackley, and the past president of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce as well as the Society of Chemical Industry. Through his father’s wealth and notoriety, Gerald was able to attend Rugby School and Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied Political Economy.

Levinstein was a forward. During the 1909-1910 season, he played in the pack for the “B” team.

In 1914, the family business had taken Levinstein over to the USA, but like so many of his teammates away on business, he returned home that autumn and enlisted. He first joined the Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, but later was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 26^th Manchesters. Back in Chorlton, Levinstein married Dorothy Vickers-Edwards whilst on leave in 1915. The following year, he joined up with the 17^th Manchesters, a Pals Battalion, in the Somme. He was killed on the 12^th October 1916 during the attack on Flers.

Levinstein is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 13A and 14C

SOURCES
themanchesters.org
Memorials of Rugbeians who Fell in the Great War
Manchester Courier
World Rugby Museum