George Mellor's Story.
George Mellor Wolstenholme was born on the 3rd April 1897 to parents Richard, a cotton broker and Frances Wolstenholme. In 1901 Richard lived with his family at 51, Beresford Road, Oxton, Birkenhead. He had an older brother Richard. By 1911 the family had moved to 2, South Hill Grove, Birkenhead. He was educated at Stubbington boarding school, Fareham and at Cheltenham. After entering the Inns of Court OTC, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Yorkshire RegimentGeorge arrived in France on the 18th January 1917 where he joined the 9th Battalion.
George was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 (London Gazette supplement 30389 dated 19th November 1917) for ‘bravery in the field’, The citation stated that – ‘This officer was in charge of a party of infantry carrying R.E. material to a strong point. Early in the day half his party went astray, but in spite of this Second Lieutenant Wolstenholme brought the remainder (about 20 men) through the very heavy hostile barrage time and time again, carrying a full load himself on each occasion. It was largely due to his energy and personal example throughout the day that it was possible to get the work done’.
George and his battalion were sent to Italy from November 1917 for the next few months fighting in Italy until their return to France in September 1918.
On the 5th October 1918 the 9th Yorkshire Regiment were in the line by the French village of Le Catelet. The battalion war diary for that day records just one sentence -
‘At 06.00 hours the Battalion commenced the attack on Beaurevoir but were held up by MG fire’
It was during this engagement that George lost his life.
Birkenhead News 16 October 1918
OXTON OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION.
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Wolstenholme, South Hill Grove, Oxton, informing them of the death of their younger and only surviving son, Lieut. George Mellor Wolstenholme, M.C., who was killed in action on the 5th of the present month. Lieut. Wolstenholme, who was 21 years of age, was attached to the Yorkshire Regiment. He entered the Inns of Court O.T.C. at the age of 18, and very shortly obtained his commission and went out to France in January 1917. The young officer was a great favourite and a very gallant soldier and about eighteen months ago was awarded the Military Cross for “bravery in the field.” Prior to joining the colours he was engaged in business in his father’s firm, Messrs. Wolstenholme and Holland, one of the oldest cotton broking firms in Liverpool.
It is almost two years ago that Mr. and Mrs. Wolstenholme’s elder son, Captain R. F. Wolstenholme, who was 23 years of age, made the supreme sacrifice. He was attached to the King’s Liverpool Regiment, and after seeing a great deal of severe fighting, fell on November 28th 1916.
Much sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Wolstenholme in their second sad loss.
Lieutenant George Mellor was buried at Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension.
He is also remembered on the Christ Church War Memorial, Birkenhead.
Christ Church war memorial, Birkenhead
Research, George's photograph, Christ Church memorail photgraph and newspaper article by Chris Booth