Pte 16289 George Brough

• Age: 22
• From: Warrington Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 25th August 1917
• Commemorated at: Derry House Cem No.2
  Panel Ref: II.E.14

George Brough was born in the March quarter of 1895 in Warrington the son of Walter Brough and his wife and Sarah (née Gorst) who were married at St Mary's Church, Oldham in 1868.

On the 1901 Census George is aged 6 and is living with his family at 72 Lovely Lane, Warrington with father Walter, aged 52 a baker born in Manchester, his mother, Sarah is aged 51, born in Warrington and siblings; Walter 24 a baker, Harry 17 a shipping clerk, Elizabeth 11, married Hannah Cottrell 21, and Alice 8.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at The Grange, Fearnhead, Warrington. His mother, Sarah, is a widow, aged 61, born in 1860 in Warrington, is living by private means. She is living with her four children, Harry aged 27, born 1884 a secretary and cashier, Elizabeth aged 24, born in 1887 and Alice aged 18, born in 1893 both with no occupation and George aged 16, born in 1895 at school. The children were all born in Warrington.

George enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914, joining in the 18th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16289. He gave his age as 19 years 268 days, and his occupation as a clerk. He was described as being 5' 5" inches tall, weighed 124 lbs with a 35" chest. He had a sallow complexion with blue eyes and light brown hair. His religion was stated as Methodist and as his next of kin, was his mother Sarah,  of Fearnhead. 

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall.

The pride felt in the men who volunteered was recorded in the St Helens Examiner on 12th December 1914

PADGATE

Wesleyan Roll Of Honour - The following young men, formerly connected with the Padgate Wesleyan Church, are at present serving with the colours: Frank Appleton, James Appleton, Arthur Appleton, George Brough, Harold Kitchen, Percy Duckworth, Reginald Lunt, Charles Milner and Joseph Birchall.

On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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 07^th November 1915.

His service papers record the following:

Wounded 26th Feb 1916 GSW to left side of face, to Field Ambulance and resumed 01st March 1916

Appointed Acting Corporal on 02nd July 1916 when Cpl R. Bell wounded.

Reverted to Private on 07th August 1916 at his own request.

Awarded good conduct badge 02nd September 1916 after 2 years service.

On leave to UK 12-25 Jan 1917.

He was killed in action on the 25th August, 1917 aged 22 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

The Battalion War Diary records:  August 22^nd, in trenches.  The battalion took over the front line system left sector, relieving the 46^th Australian Infantry Battn, No. 2 Coy on the left, No.4 on the right, No.1 in support, and No.3 in reserve. Casualties recorded on August 25^th: 4 Killed, 7 Wounded, 1 Died of Wounds. 

George was one of the four men recorded in the 18th Btn Diary who died that day. The others are recorded as Corporal 16466 Thomas Clayton Lindsay, Private 24765 William Burrows, Private 52437 William Ridgway and also Sergeant 16486 Harry Spencer who was wounded and died later that same day.

He now rests at Derry House Cemetery No2, Whyteschaete, Belgium.

Wytschaete (now Wijtschate) was taken by the Germans early in November 1914. It was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7 June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16 April 1918. The village was recovered for the last time on 28 September.

Derry House Cemetery (there is now only one) was named after a farm, which had been nicknamed "Derry House" by soldiers of the Royal Irish Rifles. It was begun among the ruins of the farm in June 1917 by a field ambulance unit of the 11th Division (32nd Brigade). It was used as a front line cemetery until December 1917, and again in October 1918 by the 2nd London Scottish.

The cemetery contains 166 First World War burials and the remains of a concrete command post built by engineers of the 37th Division in July 1917.

The cemetery was designed by W.H. Cowlishaw.

His death was reported in the St Helens Examiner on 01st Sept 1917

PRIVATE GEORGE BROUGH.

Ex-Councillor's Son Killed with four Comrades.

Private George Brough, King's Liverpool Regiment, son of the late councillor Walter Brough and Mrs Brough, The Grange, Fernhead, was killed in action on August 25 by a shell which also killed four of his comrades, and wounded six others. Private Brough, 22 years of age, he enlisted soon after the war started on September 2nd 1914, and went to France in October 1915. Educated of the Padgate C.E. School and the Warrington School. He was subsequently employed on the staff of the Zillah Shipping and Carrying Co. Ltd, Liverpool. He attended Padgate Wesleyan Sunday School, where he acted as librarian. He was a football, tennis and cricket player. His last leave home took place last New Year.

His death was also reported in the Warrington Guardian on 01st September 1917:

PRIVATE GEORGE BROUGH

Mrs Brough of Fearnhead, received news on Thursday morning that her son, Private George Brough, had been killed in action. The news came in a letter from the orderly-room sergeant of the headquater staff of the King's (Liverpool Regiment), who stated that he was killed by the bursting of a shell on Saturday last. This was confirmed by a letter received on Thursday afternoon from the Regimental Chaplain, who added that Private Brough was laid to rest in the Military Cemetery on Sunday last. 

Private Brough who was the youngest son of the late Councillor Walter Brough and Mrs Brough of The Grange, Fearnhead, was 22 years of age. He enlisted in the King's (Liverpool Regiment) on the 2nd September 1914. He went to the front in October 1915 and although he took part in severe fighting and did many spells of trench duty, he came through absolutely unscathed until Saturday. He was last home on leave in January last. He was educated at Padgate, Church of England School and the Boteler Grammar School, Warrington, and before joining the Army was employed on the staff of the Zillah Shipping and Carrying Co. Liverpool. He was a regular attender at the Padgate Wesleyan Church, and acted as librarian at their Sunday School. He was much devoted to sport, and football, tennis and cricket all claimed his attention. He was a fine type of young man, and much sympathy is felt locally with Mrs Brough and family in the cutting off of a life which promised a successful and honorable career.           

The details of a Memorial service for George was reported in the Runcorn Examiner on 08th September 1917:

THE LATE G. BROUGH - A very touching reference to the memory of the late Private George Brough was made at the morning service in the Wesleyan Church on Sunday by the Reverend A. J. Morton. He said they all mourned the loss of a scholar and official, and sympathised very deeply with the family in the sudden loss which has befallen them. He testified to his bright, manly character of one who was always prompt, obliging and willing to undertake any duty that was asked of him. He was proud and thankful that they had such a character among the workers of the Church at Padgate. As a tribute to his memory his favourite hymn "Art thou weary, art thou languid?" was sung during the service.

George is commemorated on the family grave in Warrington Cemetery which records his age as 23.

Grateful thanks are extended to Joe Devereux for his permission to use the photograph of George now on this site. 

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