Pte 51722 George Barrington

George's birth was registered in the Liverpool District in the September quarter of 1873 under the name George Berrington (not Barrington). He was born at 42 India Street Everton to Tarporley, Cheshire born painter Henry Barrington and his Caernarfon born wife Ellen (nee Griffiths). They married on 26th January 1868 at St Matthews, Liverpool and had nine children, six boys and three girls.

 

George was their third child and on 26th April 1874, nine months after his birth he was baptised at St Peter's Church along with his elder sister Elizabeth Ann born March 1871. Both were baptised under the surname Berrington not Barrington. They are shown as living at 47 Louis Street, Everton

 

The 1881 Census shows 7 year old scholar George living at 47 Louis Street, Everton with his parents, Henry aged 36, and employed as a painter, Ellen is aged 34. He has four siblings in the household; John aged 12, Elizabeth Ann aged 10, Ellen aged 3 and Robert H. aged 1. 

 

The 1891 Census at 44 Sackville Street, Everton shows George, aged 17 an apprentice cork cutter living with his parents, his father, aged 48, is now a ship owners store keeper and his mother, Ellen is aged 44. His elder sister Elizabeth Ann has left home and is a servant for a retired physician in Whitchurch. His other siblings are listed as John aged 22, Ellen 13, Robert H 11, Maud 8, Edwin aged 6, William 3 and Tom 2. 

 

On 28th May 1898 George is a witness to Elizabeth Ann's wedding in Newton Heath to Joe Quarmby.

 

In the June quarter of 1900 his mother Ellen dies aged 53

 

The 1901 Census shows George now aged 27 and a cycle salesman living at Joe and Elizabeth's home at 3 Aspell Street, Newton Heath Manchester.

 

On 23rd January 1904, aged 30, he married Mary Ann Smith, aged 29, at All Saints Church, Newton Heath. On the 18th January 1906 a baby daughter, Gertrude Edith, is born. Tragically his wife, Mary Ann, aged 31, died in childbirth at 44 Melrose Street, Newton Heath. She was buried on 29 January 1906 

 

Gertrude was baptised on 15th April 1906 at St Peter's Church, Everton but died shortly afterwards in the June quarter of 1906.

There are crew records in 1908 for a G. Barrington aged 35, an assistant steward, living at 22 Atwill Street, Everton. It is likely that George was away at sea for some years as there is no trace on the 1911 Census records of him anywhere in the UK.

The 1914 Gore's directory for 1914 shows his father Henry, at 44 Sackville Street, is a clerk to St Peter's Church.  

 

George enlisted as Rifleman 4176 joining the 6th Battalion (Liverpool Rifles). He embarked from Folkestone-Boulogne on 27th July 1916, he reached the 24th Infantry Base Depot on 29th July 1916. He proceeded to  the 17th Battalion K.L.R. on 06th August 1916 and was posted to the 20th (Pals) Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Pte 51722 on 05th September 1916
 

George was wounded in December 1916 and was being treated at a Military Hospital in Whalley, near Clitheroe, when he died of his wounds on 05th April 1917. His death certificate was issued in Clitheroe.

 

On 07th April 1917 his father, Henry, placed a death notice in the Liverpool Daily Post which gives an indication as to the nature of the wounds that killed George:

BARRINGTON - April 5, of burns accidentally received in France in December in his 44th year, George the dearly beloved son of Henry Barrington - 44 Sackville Street, Everton, Liverpool.   

 

On 10 April 1917 George, shown as aged 42, was buried in a private CWGC Section plot 182 at Kirkdale Cemetery.

 

There are 519 First World War burials in the Cemetery. 

 

In 1919 the CWGC erected a CWGC headstone shown on this site.

 

On 01st April 1921 his father, Henry Barrington, died aged 78 and was buried in this same plot with his son.

 

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon the author of the book The Liverpool Rifles for providing details of George's service with the 6th Rifles.  

 

We currently have no further information on George Barrington, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.