GEORGE HENRY MEARS
Private 9192
9th Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment
Killed in action - 26th September 1916
George was the first born child of Elizabeth and Henry Mears. Born in Staveley sometime around early 1885, he was one of five children, a relatively small family for the times. He was named after his maternal grandfather George and his own father Henry.
George's parents Henry Mears and Elizabeth Ann Horner married on 3rd November 1884 at Staveley. Henry was originally from Apethorpe in Northamptonshire, he was boarding with the Moorcroft family on Handley Road in 1881. Henry was employed by the Midland Railway as a guard. Elizabeth was born in Staveley, the daughter of George and Mary Horner. Her family lived in the coal miner's residence, Hartington Cottages, George was a coal miner deputy.
The family soon grew; Arthur Alec was born in 1886, Sarah Ellen in 1890, Elsie in 1894 and Reginald in 1897. Sadly baby Reginald died as an infant baby, he was buried at Whittington on 11th September 1897.
The 1901 census records George as living at 58 South Street, New Whittington. He was aged 16 years old and employed along with his brother Arthur as a labourer at the furnaces. His father was noted as married, but Elizabeth his wife is not living with the family on this night. The two daughters; Sarah and Elsie were also in the household.
George's father Henry died in the summer of 1908.
George joins the army....
Aged 19 years and 1 month George enlisted to serve for King & Country. He signed up to serve 3 years with the Colours and would remain in the Army Reserves for 9 years after.
He was serving with the local Notts & Derbys Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters); Private 9192. His service began in February 1904 and would offer George more excitement than his job back in New Whittington where he worked as a pipe moulder.
The service records describe George as 5ft 4 1/4" in height and weighing 125lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
George's father Henry died in the summer of 1908.
George joins the army....
Aged 19 years and 1 month George enlisted to serve for King & Country. He signed up to serve 3 years with the Colours and would remain in the Army Reserves for 9 years after.
He was serving with the local Notts & Derbys Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters); Private 9192. His service began in February 1904 and would offer George more excitement than his job back in New Whittington where he worked as a pipe moulder.
The service records describe George as 5ft 4 1/4" in height and weighing 125lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
1911 the eve of war....
George does not appear on the 1911 census, his service records are unclear as to whether he extended his army service to this date.
His siblings had all moved on with their own lives to; Arthur married Maria Starkey in 1910, they were living with her parents John and Mary at Melbourne Villas, Albert Avenue in 1911. Arthur worked as an iron pipe maker. On 22nd April 1913 the couple had a baby son, named William Robert.
His siblings had all moved on with their own lives to; Arthur married Maria Starkey in 1910, they were living with her parents John and Mary at Melbourne Villas, Albert Avenue in 1911. Arthur worked as an iron pipe maker. On 22nd April 1913 the couple had a baby son, named William Robert.
Sarah married Albert Brent also in 1910. Albert was from the neighbouring village of Barrow Hill. A son was born in 1911 named William Edward.
Elsie was 17 years old and worked as a servant for a widowed Irish coal miner named Michael Kelly. They lived at 8 Bamford Street, New Whittington. In 1914 she married Joseph Whitehouse, a local boy he was living at 64 South Street in 1911. Not long after, the couple had their first child; a daughter named Edna was born on 18th March 1915.
Elsie was 17 years old and worked as a servant for a widowed Irish coal miner named Michael Kelly. They lived at 8 Bamford Street, New Whittington. In 1914 she married Joseph Whitehouse, a local boy he was living at 64 South Street in 1911. Not long after, the couple had their first child; a daughter named Edna was born on 18th March 1915.
Wedding bells also rang for George when on 9th October 1911 he married Emma Short. Emma was the daughter of Jepson Short. She was born in New Whittington around 1888. The witnesses to the weding were Arthur James Mitchell and his sister Edith Mitchell, only three years later tragically Arthur was to become the first man of the village to lose his life to the Great War, he is also named on St Barnabas Church War Memorial.
Emma had spent some time in London; aged 16 years old, she was living at 74 Acre Lane, Lambeth and was undertaking training in domestic service. By 1911 she was back home in New Whittington, working at the Royal Hotel.
Emma and George were soon to find themselves parents; on 3rd March 1912 a son was born, named after his father George Henry Mears. George jnr was baptised on 4th April 1912. A second son named Thomas Arthur was born on 24th March 1915.
George's war....
As part of George's terms he had agreed to remain in the Army Reserve for 9 years after his earlier service had ended. And so he would find himself receiving his call up as soon as the war had been declared. He was called to mobilise at Derby on 5th August 1914.
At the end of July 1915 George received a mosquito bite to his right hand, he was transferred back to England on 5th August for medical care at Bagthorpe Hospital (now Nottingham City Hospital). This hospital was reasonably local for George, being situated on Hucknall Road in Nottingham. George soon recovered from his illness and was deemed fit to return to the battlefront.
It was at this time that George was relocated to the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. On 14th November 1915 he was sent to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force; the Gallipoli Campaign. The battalion had landed at Suvla Bay in August 1915, they were subject to heavy fighting and many soldiers succumbed to illness. In December 1915 the battalion were forced to retreat to the island of Imbros before moving on to Egypt, where in February 1916 they took over part of the defence of Suez Canal.
George's war....
 |
| Service record www.ancestry.co.uk |
As part of George's terms he had agreed to remain in the Army Reserve for 9 years after his earlier service had ended. And so he would find himself receiving his call up as soon as the war had been declared. He was called to mobilise at Derby on 5th August 1914.
As a time served soldier, George was mobilised to
Sheffield on the very day that war was declared, he was posted to the 2nd
Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment, keeping his rank and number, Private
9192.
On 8th September 1914 George and his
comrades set sail to join the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F) in France;
the country in high spirits of a quick victory, he would be back by Christmas….
or so they believed. He would leave his
young son George aged 2 and his wife who would be around three months pregnant at
the time.
The 2nd Battalion were part of the 18th
Brigade, 6th Division who landed at St Nazaire, France and were thrust straight
into the battlefront being present at the Aisne Heights offensive on 20th
September 1914. Not long after in
October they relieved the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry at Ennetiere, the
location of the Battle of Armentieres.
The battalion were forced back by the enemy, but soon found themselves
surrounded, many men were forced to surrender; the war diary notes “Casualties 710 NCOs and men missing”.
At the end of July 1915 George received a mosquito bite to his right hand, he was transferred back to England on 5th August for medical care at Bagthorpe Hospital (now Nottingham City Hospital). This hospital was reasonably local for George, being situated on Hucknall Road in Nottingham. George soon recovered from his illness and was deemed fit to return to the battlefront.
It was at this time that George was relocated to the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. On 14th November 1915 he was sent to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force; the Gallipoli Campaign. The battalion had landed at Suvla Bay in August 1915, they were subject to heavy fighting and many soldiers succumbed to illness. In December 1915 the battalion were forced to retreat to the island of Imbros before moving on to Egypt, where in February 1916 they took over part of the defence of Suez Canal.
The Somme, 1916....
 |
| Service record www.ancestry.co.uk |
According to his service records George and his comrades once again set off for France, they began the journey on 26th June and arrived on 4th July 1916. They were being called upon after the tragic day, the 1st July, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters were much needed reinforcements for the British.
August 1916 a month into the Somme attack, many thousands of soldiers wounded, missing and killed in action. The 9th Sherwood's had relieved the 9th Rifle Brigade in the trenches near to Arras on 28th July. The month was relatively quiet, regular enemy aircraft flying overhead, occasional gas attack alerts, enemy fire and time spent as working parties, fixing wire and making good the trenches. The men were relieved on 18th August and returned to Headquarters at Berneville.
The battalion then spent 10 days at Gouy-En-Artios where they received several days worth of training, which the war diary records as having included numerous lectures. On to Astree Wamin and more training and then on 3rd September the battalion arrived at Acheux where they received lectures on Battalion Attack. It would appear that the allies were taking no chances and wanted their men to be fully educated and ready to produce an effective attack on the enemy. A small rest bite from combat, but no time for relaxation.
School time over....
George's combat education was at an end, it was time to put the new skills into practise; on 6th September the battalion relieved the 13th Cheshire Regiment in the trenches just south of Thiepval. They remained in the trenches under some very heavy enemy fire. On 12th September just before they were to be relieved the battalion war diary tells "Enemy send over large number of tear shells which exploded in our trenches. It was suspected that poisonous gas shells were mixed up with these. Gas helmets were worn and no casualties occurred". At 6am the men fell into the reserve trenches when they were relieved by the 6th Lincolnshire Regiment.
Over the coming days the men were moved in and out of trenches. There was great artillery fire by the British, which were a success and enemy prisoners were taken. The Germans then retaliated bombarding the 9th Battalions occupied trench, "Constance Trench.....was heavily shelled by enemy with whizz-bangs".
On 22nd September the men were relieved once more and returned to Mailley Mallet where they rested and undertook a parade, with new clothing issued. On 24th September the men rehearsed the forthcoming attack on Thiepval. Orders were given that the men should be ready to move at short notice, George and his friends would be aware that the coming attack was to be the culmination of the weeks of training and rehearsals.
26th September 1916....
The men found themselves once more stationed in Constance Trench, ready for the coming attack on Thiepval. They were reported as all being in position by 3.30am on the morning of 26th September. They were then given "M & V rations* and tea was sent up during the morning" .
Once fed, the men were moved into position ready for "the whistle signal at ZERO 12.35pm". During the attack the battalion received many casualties, however it also took many prisoners and large scale items of equipment were also claimed from the enemy. The battalion were part of the 33rd Brigade of the 11th Division which successfully captured Zollern and Hessian Trenches, despite heavy machine gun fire at times. It is said to have suffered 600 casualties.
The battle carried on into 27th September, on 28th the battalion spent time in consolidating Joseph Trench, they were shelled throughout their work.
The heroic fighting by all of the 11th Division was noted in a memo sent from General Sir H Gough, Commanding Reserve Army. It reads;
"My best congratulations to you and your division on
their gallant fighting today and throughout the
successful operations in which you have been engaged
since the capture of the WONDER WORK.
You have all done splendid work"
George was presumed dead on the date of 26th September when he partook in the "splendid work" along with his comrades in arms of the 11th Division. The action became known as The Battle of Thiepval Ridge.
Private George Henry Mears, 9192 was laid to rest at the Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt; grave ref Vii H 7. His grave is marked simply with the sign of the cross, no other inscriptions were added by George's family.
 |
| Medal card - Private 9192 *See notes below re different Battalion & death date |
Private 9192 George Henry Mears was awarded the Victory, British and 14 Star Medals for his service.
*His medal card appears to show George Mears, Private 9192 as being attached to the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters. Looking at his service records and other documentation, all information for WW1 confirms George served with the 2nd and 9th Battalion. The date of death is recorded as 20th September 1916 not 26th, again all other paperwork states 26th September 1916.
Walter Furness another New Whittington man also served with the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He to was presumed missing in action on the same date, 26th September 1916. His story can be read here.
Arthur James Mitchell the witness at George and Emma Mears wedding was also killed and remembered on the St Barnabas Memorial. His story can be read here.
Life went on....
What became of George's mother Elizabeth Mears is unknown at this time.
Emma and her two sons George jnr and Thomas Arthur Mears were awarded a pension of 22s 11p per week commencing on 23rd April 1917. She lived at this time at 21 Station Lane, New Whittington.
Emma remarried in early 1918, her husband was Samuel Toseland another New Whittington lad. The couple went on to have four children; Elsie, James, Samuel and Doris. More sadness was unfortunately to come into Emma's life when she lost her two sons as young children; James under 1 year and Samuel aged just 4 years old. Samuel died in 1956, Emma in 1960.
George Henry jnr married Mary Levers in 1935. On the 1939 Register the newly weds were living at 35 Brearley Street, New Whittington. George worked as a labourer at the steel works. George died on 30th November 1981, his address at the time was 27 Wellington Street, New Whittington. Mary his wife died in 1989.
Thomas Arthur Mears married Alice Hawkins in 1938. The couple lived at 13 Beetwell Street in Chesterfield town centre. Thomas worked as a bus conductor. They had a daughter named Jean. Thomas died in 1990, Alice in 1993.
Emma remarried in early 1918, her husband was Samuel Toseland another New Whittington lad. The couple went on to have four children; Elsie, James, Samuel and Doris. More sadness was unfortunately to come into Emma's life when she lost her two sons as young children; James under 1 year and Samuel aged just 4 years old. Samuel died in 1956, Emma in 1960.
George Henry jnr married Mary Levers in 1935. On the 1939 Register the newly weds were living at 35 Brearley Street, New Whittington. George worked as a labourer at the steel works. George died on 30th November 1981, his address at the time was 27 Wellington Street, New Whittington. Mary his wife died in 1989.
Thomas Arthur Mears married Alice Hawkins in 1938. The couple lived at 13 Beetwell Street in Chesterfield town centre. Thomas worked as a bus conductor. They had a daughter named Jean. Thomas died in 1990, Alice in 1993.
George's siblings....
Arthur and Maria had another child, a daughter named Lillian born on 9th June 1915. The family were living at 2 Albert Avenue on the 1939 Register and Arthur had been promoted to foreman at the iron foundry.
Arthur died on 6th May 1961 at Walton Hospital. He was aged 74 years old and had moved away from New Whittington, his address was 38 Windermere Road in Newbold. Maria had died in 1955. Their daughter Lillian Mary died a spinster aged 78 years old in 1993.
Sarah and Albert Brent had more children; Violet in 1912, Henry in 1913, John in 1915 and George in 1920. Albert served during WW1, which would explain the break in children born during those years. The couple lived at Cotterill Lane in Brimington.
William Edward Brent, Sarah's son was a Sergeant Instructor in the Royal Artillery. He had joined the services before WW2 but sadly died at home aged 32 years of age on 3rd April 1943. His obituary was written in the Derbyshire Times newspaper on 9th April 1943 page 6. It told how he was a "fine athlete and gymnast" "while in the Army he reached the semi-final of the Light Heavyweight Army Boxing Tournament". He had served in India for six years and was married to Mary Brent. William was buried at Brimington Cemetery.
Elsie and Joseph Whitehouse had two more children; Winifred in 1917 and Joseph in 1920. The couple stayed in the village of New Whittington, in 1939 they were living at 98 South Street with their eldest daughter Edna. Joseph was working as a coal miner. Elise was written as "Edith E" on the 1939 Register. There are several possible deaths for (Edith) Elsie Whitehouse, which would need verification with the death certificate, Joseph died in 1969.
*M & V rations are Meat and Vegetable rations. See the link to read more about the food and rations during WW1.
*M & V rations are Meat and Vegetable rations. See the link to read more about the food and rations during WW1.
*****
If you may be connected to this family or have any further information on George Henry Mears or his family please do either leave comments via the pen icon below or drop me an email.
I hope that I have not given details of living persons, if so please advise and I will remove immediately.
*****
Please note all information has been taken from online indexes and sources. Due to the sheer numbers of people to be researched I am unable to purchase vital event certificates to confirm my research.
*****
Ref and further reading -
Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Service record - www.ancestry.co.uk
War diaries - Piece WO 1813 / 1-4
9th Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-derbyshire-regiment/
Imbros Island http://www.army.mod.uk/firstworldwarresources/gallipoli-1915/general-headquarters-imbros-1915
*****
Ref and further reading -
Census
Parish registers
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Medal rolls
Soldiers who died in the Great war
Register of soldiers effects
Service record - www.ancestry.co.uk
Service record - www.ancestry.co.uk
War diaries - Piece WO 1813 / 1-4
9th Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-derbyshire-regiment/
Imbros Island http://www.army.mod.uk/firstworldwarresources/gallipoli-1915/general-headquarters-imbros-1915
9th Battalion Sherwood Forester Regiment http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/sherwood-foresters-nottinghamshire-derbyshire-regiment/
Imbros Island http://www.army.mod.uk/firstworldwarresources/gallipoli-1915/general-headquarters-imbros-1915
No comments:
Post a Comment