Pte 405666 George Thomas Wynne

• Age: 39
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 27th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

George Thomas Wynne was born on the 22nd July 1878 in Liverpool, the son of John Williams Wynne and his wife Mary (née Smith) who were married on the 08th October 1877 at St Paul’s Church, Liverpool. John was a coachman of Berry Street, father Aaron a gardener, whilst Mary was also of Berry Street, father Thomas a farmer. George was baptised on the 13th September 1878 at St Mary's Church, West Derby. 

The 1881 Census finds George, aged 2, living with his grandfather and his family at New Hall Cottage, New Hall Lane, West Derby. His grandfather is Thomas Smith, a 55 year old, no occupation, born in Sefton, Lancashire. Also present are Thomas' three children who are ecorded as Sarah aged 21, Thomas aged 20, a wheelwright, and George aged 16.

A brother William was born in 1883.

The 1891 Census the family are living at 16 Barnet St, Edge Hill. His father John is a 38 year old gardener born in Walton, mother Mary is aged 37, George is aged 12, a scholar, and William aged 7, a scholar.  

He was the husband of Clara Louisa Wynne (nee Bagley). George and Clara married in 1899  at West Derby Registry Office, with their name recorded as Wynn. Clara was born on the 09th April 1880. They went on to have five children; Henry born 30th January 1903, Frederick Charles 16th August 1905, Ruth 16th February 1908, George Thomas 26th June 1911 and John Jellicoe 30th October 1914.  Four of the five children were registered as Wynne with only Frederick Charles recorded as Wynn.

The 1901 Census shows George living at 42 Celt Street, Liverpool. George Thomas is aged 21, his occupation shown as a labourer. His wife Clare Louise aged 20, is a wire maker and was born in Prescot. His brother William aged 16, born 1885 no occupation, is also living at the address.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved to 27 Celt Street, West Derby Road, Liverpool. George is now declared as being 30 years of age and is a stationary fireman, his wife Clara is also recorded as being 30. They state that they have been married for 11 years and that they have had five children sadly two of whom have died. Those present in the household are Henry aged 8, Frederick Charles aged 5 and Ruth aged 3. Also present is Clara's brother, Frederick Charles Bagley aged 22 and employed as a stable lad.  

George enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 405666 when he was killed in action on the 27th July, 1917 aged 39.

19th Battn. War Diary in the area of MUNCQ NIEURLET. 

CANAL RESERVE CAMP.

TRENCHES.

"Very heavy shelling during the day on front and support lines. Our artillery was also very active during the day and night. At night 'B' Company relieved 'C' Company in the front line. Later word was received that the Germans had retired on our left and 'D' Company were immediately sent into the front line to reinforce 'B' Company. Patrols of the 16th Battalion, Manchester Regiment pushed forward but returned just before daybreak after finding the enemy trenches were occupied, and at the same time 'D' Company returned to the support line from the front line". 

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

George was reported killed in the Weekly Casualty List on 28th August 1917:

King’s (Liverpool Regiment) - Wynne, 405666, G. (Liverpool); 

Soldiers Effects, army pay of £4 15s 8d, war gratuity of £12 10s, and pension of 31/3 pw to widow Clara Louisa and her surviving five children, 42 Celt Street, West Derby Road, Liverpool.

On the 1921 Census at 42 Celt St, Clara Wynn (sic) is now a charwoman, aged 40, living with children Henry 18, Frederick 15, Ruth 13, George Thomas 9, and John 6.

According to CWGC George was the son of John and Mary Wynne, 26 New Road, Tuebrook. This was a longstanding address of the Stanley family, but no connection can be made to the Wynne’s.

Clara, date of birth 09th April 1880, never remarried and is found on the 1939 register living at 51 Porchester Road, Norris Green with married son Frederick.

She died, aged 64, on the 14th March 1945.

Her death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on Saturday 17 March 1945: 

WYNNE - March 14, after long illness, Clara Louisa, dearly-beloved mother of Harry, Fred (R.A.F.) Ruth, George (R.N.), and John (R.A.S.C.) Interment at West Derby Cemetery on Monday next, at 11 a.m. 

George Thomas Wynn is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall on Panel 32 Right

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