Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 30803 George Brighouse Warlow

Age: 22
From: Aughton, Lancs
Regiment: 1 GN MANCHESTER
Died on Thursday 16th December 1915
Commemorated at: Aughton Christ Church
Panel Ref: 576

George Brighouse Warlow was born in Aughton, Lancashire, in the first quarter of 1893, the only son of George Ellis Warlow and his wife Mary Ellen (née Brighouse). George, a widower born in Lancaster, and Mary Ellen, from Ormskirk, married in Christ Church, Aughton, in 1885 and had six children, all born in Aughton.

George had older sisters Edith, born in 1886, Norah 1888, Jessie 1889, and Agnes 1890, and a younger sister Mary Kathleen, born in 1897. Norah died, at the age of six, the year after George was born.

He was baptised in Christ Church, Aughton, on 26th March 1893, his father’s occupation cashier, and lived all his life in his parents’ home, “Rockleigh”, Swanpool Lane, Aughton.

In 1901 the family is living in Swanpool Lane, Aughton. His father, George E. is a 46 year old cashier to a firm of steam ship agents,born in Lancaster, whilst his mother, Mary E. is 38 years of age and was born in Ormskirk. They have five children, all born in Aughton, declared in the household; Edith is 14, Jessie and Agnes are twins and aged 11, George B. is 8 and Mary K. is 3.

In 1911 his father, 56, is a cashier for a steam ship agent, his mother is 48, Jessie, 21, has no occupation, Agnes, 20, is a school teacher, George is 18, a clerk with a salt manufacturer, and Mary, 13, is at school.

George enlisted in Liverpool on 10th November 1914 (some pages of his record show the 12th), as Private 23204, 20th (Pals) Battalion of The King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. The number is crossed out and replaced with 23854. He gives his age as 21 years and 10 months, and his occupation as clerk. He is described as being 5’ 8” tall, weighing 127 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. It was noted on his medical exam, under “Slight defects but not enough to cause rejection” - diabetes mellitus. He gives his next of kin as his father George, at Swanpool Lane.

The battalion trained locally at Knowsley, then moved to Belton Park Camp in Grantham, Lincolnshire in April 1915. Whilst at Belton Park, George began to experience health problems. His medical report, dated 29/5/1915, states that George noticed he was tired about a fortnight ago, and began to complain of tiredness on exertion and shortness of breath, dryness of mouth and excessive thirst, and frequent passing of water. No definite cause was diagnosed, but a note states a hereditary tendency, a sister (believed to have?) died from (the same cause). A later report notes a rapid loss of flesh, urine excessive in quantity and full of sugar, and weakness on exertion.

His record shows that George was posted to the 22nd Reserve Bn K.L.R. on 24th September 1915 and to the 1st (Garrison) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment with the regimental number 30803 on 30th September 1915. The discharge report from this Battalion shows it was based at Knowsley Park.

His record shows a proposed discharge as permanently unfit on 20th November 1915, cause diabetes mellitus, hereditary tendency aggravated by military service.

George died at home on 16th December 1915, aged 22, and was buried at Christ Church, Aughton, on 18th December. There are 6 CWGC graves in this Churchyard.

In 1915, eleven years before the discovery of insulin by Banting and Best in 1926, patients with diabetes could only be treated by diet and severe diabetics were condemned to a short lifetime on a very restricted and unpalatable diet before their inevitable fatal end.

(Extract from the "The Practitioner's Encyclopaedia of Medical Treatment", Published by Oxford Medical Publications, 1915). Patients were often recommended prolonged fasting and starvation diets.)

George’s death was reported in the Ormskirk Advertiser on 16th December 1915:

“Death of a Young Aughton Soldier -

This morning, at an early hour, the death took place at the residence of his parents, “Rockleigh”, Swanpool Lane, Aughton, of Private George Brighouse Warlow, only son of G. E. Warlow. Private Warlow, who was only in his 23rd year, was among the thousands of Britishers who volunteered for service when the war broke out and he joined the 4th “Pals” (Liverpool) Battalion, being eventually attached to the 20th Service Battalion. Whilst in training at Grantham his health broke down and he was invalided home, since when he had grown gradually worse and a promising career is thus cut short. He was a fine manly young fellow and was greatly beloved by all with whom he came in contact. He was formerly a teacher at the Aughton Christ Church Sunday School, in connection with which he made an effort to be present at the last treat, and he was also a member of the church choir. By a sad coincidence this morning a letter was received from the War Office granting his discharge but, alas the gallant soldier had already received one from a Higher Authority. The greatest sympathy is felt in Aughton and in Ormskirk for the family. The funeral will take place on Saturday next at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Aughton.”

Details of George's funeral were reported in the Ormskirk Advertiser on 23rd December 1915:

FUNERAL OF YOUNG AUGHTON SOLDIER

Amid many demonstrations of sympathy the remains of the late Private George Brighouse Warlow of the 4th Liverpool "Pals" Regiment, only son of Mr G. E. Warlow of "Rockleigh", Swanpool-lane, Aughton who died on Thursday at the early age of 22 years, were laid to rest on Saturday afternoon last at Christ Church, Aughton, in connection with the deceased was such an ardent and devoted worker. The service was fully choral, the deceased being an old chorister, and Mr Fred Watts presided at the organ. The Sunday school scholars, in charge of Lance Corporal Edgar Searle were present, the deceased being a teacher before joining the Army, and two patrols of Boy Scouts under Mr H. W. G. Hutton, the district scoutmaster, also attended. The Rector the Rev. R. F. Markham officiated, assisted by the Rev. J. E. Pickthall, curate.

His parents received his Army effects of £16-17s, and a War Gratuity of £3-10s.

In 1919 his parents provided the Army with information on George’s living relatives: His sister Edith was married, and Jessie, Agnes, and Mary were still living at home with their parents at “Rockleigh”.

His mother died in 1925 and his father in 1929.

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

Killed On This Day.

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 29203 Valentine Alexander
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 27948 Joseph Atherton
26 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51896 Richard Edward Banks
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(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 46630 Watson Bell
38 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Lieut Roland Henry Brewerton
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51708 Charles Norman Dod
21 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
L/Cpl 94246 Frank Emison
24 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 23056 John William Jones
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 49572 John Henry Leadbeater (MM)
27 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Sgt 22462 James Lowe (MID)
25 years old

(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 51712 Edgar Domenico Murray
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(108 Years this day)
Tuesday 30th April 1918.
Pte 269899 Harry Pitts
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A total of 14 Pals were killed on this day. View All