C.S.M 17968 George Edward Usher (MID)

• Age: 39
• From: Great Crosby, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 30th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

George Edward Usher was born on the 24th March 1877 in Great Crosby, Liverpool the son of Thomas Usher and his wife Jane Maria German (née Jones). He was baptised in the Zion Free Gospel Chapel in Liverpool on 20th March 1877. His father was born in Liverpool and his mother in Harley (Much Wenlock), Shropshire.  They married on Christmas Day 1874 in Sefton Parish Church. Thomas was a 20 year old ropemaker of Great Crosby, father Henry a rope manufacturer, whilst Jane was aged 20 also of Great Crosby, father Thomas a brick maker. They had 13 children, all born in Great Crosby, five of whom, sadly, died young.  George had an older brother Thomas Henry Ambrose, and younger siblings Maud Mary, Margaret Phoebe, William Harryman, Mary Elizabeth German, Jane, Harley (who died at age 4), Frederick, Georgina, and Charlotte (who all died in infancy), May, and Frank (also died in infancy). His father was a rope maker all his working life.

The 1881 census finds the family at 32 York Road, Great Crosby. His father, Thomas, is aged 26, a ropemaker, born in Liverpool, his mother Jane M. is aged 25, born in Harley, Shropshire. Their children who were all born in Great Crosby are listed as; Thomas H. A. aged 5 a scholar, George E. 4 a scholar, Maud M. 2 , and Margaret aged 6 months. 

In 1891 they are at 25 York Road, Great Crosby. His father, Thomas, is aged 36, a ropemaker, mother Jane M. is aged 36. They have seven children in the household; Thomas H. A. aged 15, George E. is 14, and working as a shop boy, William H. 9 a scholar, Maud M. 12 a scholar, Margaret P. 10 a scholar, May E. G. 6 a scholar, and Jane 4. Also in the household is his widowed maternal grandmother, Mary Jones, 82.   

George had originally enlisted in the army at the Cheshire Regiment Depot in Chester on 30th January in 1895 when he was aged 18 years and 1 month giving his occupation as a painter. He was then serving in the Cheshire Regiment as 4963. He was described as being five feet five inches tall, weighed 120lbs, 35" chest with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and his next of kin as his parents at 7 Mansell Road, West Derby, Liverpool.

11.03.95: Appointed Lance-Corporal.

21.05.95 Posted . .. to 2nd Bn.

30.01.97: Awarded GC pay.

29.07.97: Appointed to Corporal.

12.02.98 In arrest awaiting trial by R.C.M.

17.02.98: Reduced to the ranks to Private for striking a soldier.

17.08.98: Restored GC pay.

13.12.98 Transferred … to 1st Bn., to India

09.05.1900: Appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal.

31.01.01: Granted GC pay.

22.11.01 Extended service to complete 12 years, at Quetta (receiving a bounty of 150 Rupees and a furlough to England)

Whilst home on furlough, he married Jane Maclure on the 15th March 1902 at St Jude's Church, West Derby, Liverpool. The marriage certificate shows him as Lance Corporal, 1st Cheshire Reg, age 25, and both give their address as 26 Baker Street. George and Jane travelled to India to start their married life. They had seven children. A daughter, Agnes Alexandra, was born in Station Hospital, Quetta, on 01/01/1903, but sadly died on 15/10/03 at Karachi. A son, William Edward, was born on 20/07/04, in Colaba, Bombay. 

26.04.02: To paid list Lance-Corporal.

17.08.03: Promoted to Corporal.

01.04.04: Service pay class 1.

11.11.04 Returned to the U.K. 

09.01.05: Posted to Depot.

22.01.05: Appointed paid Lance-Sergeant.

07.09.06: Reverted to Corporal.

28.09.06: Re-engaged at Chester for the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment for such term as shall complete 21 years service with the colors.

15.11.06: Promoted to Sergeant.

1.01.07: Posted to 1st Bn.

12.06.08: reverts to Private at own request, at Bordon, Hampshire

27.03.11: Appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal.

15.05.11: Appointed paid Lance-Corporal.

29.01.13: Discharged at Londonderry at his own request after 18 years service with a view to pension under the pay warrant (Para 392 XVIII) Kings Regs. His discharge papers show him as 36 years and one month old, and now 5’ 8” tall. His intended place of residence is 9 Hawkin Street, Liverpool.  His record shows, under special qualifications for employment in civil life:  “Thoroughly sober and reliable and has been employed in a position of trust in the Reg’l stores for some years.”

On discharge George received a pension of 10 pence a week for life, and the family settled in Liverpool, at 43 Mansell Road, where their last child, Albert Reginald, was born on 10/07/1914 (at his baptism in Emmanuel Church, Everton, George’s occupation is listed as barman).

His record of service:
 
Home: 30.01.95-12.12.98
India:  13.12.98-11.11.04
Home:  12.11.04-29.01.13. 

After they returned to the U.K. five more children were born:  Robert, born on 13/03/1906 in Liverpool;  Sydney George born 05/12/1907 in Bordon in Hampshire;  twins Renee and Eric 27/09/1909 in Belfast. (Eric lived for seven days, and Renee two months.  Both are buried in Belfast City Cemetery.)

In 1911 George is listed in Victoria Barracks, Belfast, age 35, rank Private, 1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment.  His wife and children live in the barracks married quarters;  Jane is 35, and employed as a book folder, William is 7, Robert, 5, and Sydney 3.  His parents live in Liverpool, at 48 Day Street, Old Swan, with son Thomas, 36, a widower, and May, 18.

He re-enlisted on the 23rd September 1914 in Liverpool joining the 19th Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regiment. He was then aged 37 years and nine months and gave his occupation as a barman. He now has a larger frame and was described as being 5’ 8” in height, weighed 150lbs with a 39” chest. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

His service record shows:
 
25.09.14: Promoted to sergeant whilst in training.

22.01.15: Appointed Company Sergeant Major whilst at Knowsley Hall.

29.01.15: Promoted W.O. 2nd Class whilst still at Knowsley.

07.11.15: Embarked for France with his battalion from Folkestone.

26.04.16-05.05.16: Granted leave to UK.

15.06.16: Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished conduct in the Supplement to London Gazette.

This award was also reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Friday 16 June 1916: 

FOR GALLANT CONDUCT. 

LOCAL MEN MENTIONIONED IN DESPATCHES. 

A long list of officers and men mentioned in despatches by Sir Douglas Haig for gallant and distinguished service in the field was issued last night. Included in the list of Staff officers thus commended is the Prince of Wales. Among the officers and men of local regiments are the following:- 

LIVERPOOL REGIMENT(SERVICE BATTALIONS). 

Usher, 17968, Co. Sergt.-Major G. E.; 

He was serving in the 19^th Battalion (No 2 Company), The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Company Sergeant Major No 17968 when he was killed in action on the 30^th July 1916, aged 39, at the village of Guillemont, France, during the Somme Offensive.

19^th Battalion Diary 30^th July 1916

MALTZ HORN FARM

BATTLE begun. ZERO hour 4:45 am. The Battalion reached its objective, but suffered heavy losses, and had to evacuate its position owing to no reinforcements.

Everard Wyrall gives details of the attack in his book The History of The King’s Regiment; 

"The 2nd Attack on Guillemont- 29th July 1916 the 89th Brigade the 20th King's were to attack on the right and the 19th on the left. During the evening of the 29th the night was dark and foggy when the Battalions moved off and the 19th with Lt Col G Rollo commanding, when passing the South east of the Briqueterie they were heavily shelled first with H E and then with a new kind of asphyxiating Gas shell which had curious results, at first it had no nasty effect but about 8 hrs later men began to fall sick with violent headaches and pains in the stomach. All ranks had to wear gas masks which in the darkness and mist made the going terribly difficult. It was indeed wonderful that they were able to reach their Assembly point at all. But they did and by 2.45 a.m. on the 30th July 1916 the Btn was assembled having suffered about 30 Casualties on the way up ready for the Zero hour at 4.45 a.m.

It is known that the two left Companies of the 19th under Capt. Dodd and Capt. Nicholson advanced in touch with the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers on their left although they suffered many casualties from Machine gun Fire did not encounter many Germans and reached their final objective about the time allocated, beginning at once to dig in south of the orchard on the South east corner of Guillemont.  

On the left of the 19th the Scots Fusiliers most gallantly forced their way through Guillemont to the eastern side of the village but were soon overwhelmed by the enemy and few returned. 

At 8 a.m. finding that the village was not held the two left Companies of the 19th received no word from the rear or either flank believed themselves to be totally isolated so were forced to fall back and dig in, their position being untenable.

At midday the effective fighting strength of the 19th Btn was just 7 Officers and 43 other ranks" 

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July.

Casualties in the 19^th Battalion were 11 Officers and 435 Other Ranks 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone.  

George was initially reported Wounded, to Field Ambulance, subsequently Wounded and Missing, and his name appeared as such in the casualty list published in the Liverpool Daily Post on 30th September 1916:

King’s(Liverpool Regiment) - Usher No. 17968 Co. Sergt.-Major G. E.;   

It was nearly a year until his death was confirmed in the Liverpool Echo on 12th July 1917:

“July 30, 1916, previously reported wounded and missing, now officially reported died on that date, C.S.M. George Edward Usher, K.L.R. (19th Pals), the dearly-beloved husband of Jane Usher (nee Maclure), of 43, Mansell Road. (Too dearly loved ever to be forgotten by his sorrowing Wife and Children.)”

George's body was not recovered or was subsquently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

George earned his three medals.  His Medal Index Card notes, “entitled to Emblem”.  This refers to the bronze oak leaf decoration (established retroactively after the war), awarded to soldiers who had been Mentioned in Dispatches. The date: April 30th 1916 appears in his record; London Gazette 15th June 1916.

His children were 12, 10, 8, and 2 years old when George was killed.

His Army pay and a War Gratuity of £15-10s went to his widow Jane, who was awarded a pension of £1-13s-9d a week for herself and four children.

His loved ones placed In Memoriam notices on the second anniversary of his death in 1918:  

“In loving memory of G. E. Usher, son of T. and J. Usher, late of Great Crosby.

  We who loved you sadly miss you, 

    As it dawns another year;

  In the lonely hours of thinking,

    Thoughts of you are ever near.”  

“Usher - In loving memory of George Edward, Company Sergeant-Major, K.L.R. (Pals), presumed died of wounds July 30, 1916, or since, the dearly-loved husband of Jane Usher, 43, Mansell Road. - Sadly missed by his Wife and Children.”

In 1919 his widow and four sons live at 43 Mansell Street; his parents live in Farrah Street, Clubmoor, Liverpool, with Thomas, 45;  William, 38, lives in Toxteth Park;  His sisters are married: Maud, 42, in Shropshire; Margaret, 39, and Mary, 36, in Wavertree; Jane, 32, in Leeds; and May, 26, is in Canada.

His mother died in 1929, aged 74, and his father in 1935 at the age of 81.

In 1939 Jane, 63, is still living at 43 Mansell Road with son Sydney, 32, a shopkeeper (paints and wallpaper).  Married son William, a slater and tiler, and his family live next door and Robert, a builder’s labourer, lives down the street with his wife and children. Son Albert is not found on the 1939 register; it appears he served in the Army so would not have been recorded.

His widow Jane died in 1956 aged 80.

Sadly, George has not been found on any local memorial.

Grateful thanks are extended to Ancestry member Sarah Richardson who has given us permission to use the photograph of George now shown on this site.

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