Gerald Leighton's Story.
C.W.G.C. remember Gerald Leighton Houghton of the 16th Bn. Manchester Reg’t. Service No 6385 at the Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, France (ll.F.20.) he died on the 3rd May 1916 aged 19 years. Son of Mrs Margaret Houghton of Holly Bank, Highfield, Northwich.
Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Gerald Leighton Houghton in 1896 from Bebington, Wirral. Mothers maiden name is recorded as Pimblott. The 1911 census has Gerald Leighton Houghton, grandson aged 14, still at school, born Bebbington, living with his grandparents at 4 Highfield Road, Northwich, being George and Sarah Ann Pimblott, also mother, Margaret aged 45, widow, Head Teacher at Elementary School, born Runcorn and a sister Elsie, aged 16, also still at school, born St. Helens.
N.A.M.C. have a card for a Gerald L. Houghton, Pte., with the Manchester Regiment, No 6385. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory Medals. T.o.W 1 (which would be France) D.o.E. 8/11/15, with K.i.A. 3-5-16.
Northwich Guardian 12th May 1916 SCHOOLMISTRESS’S BEREAVEMENT SON KILLED BY BURSTING SHELL. DURING HEAVY BOMBARDMENT OF TRENCHES.
Mrs Hougton, head mistress of Danebridge school, Northwich has lost her only son, Private Gerald Leighton Houghton of the Manchester “Pals” Regiment, who has been killed in action. He was 19 years of age. He was educated at Danebridge School and Sir John Dean’s Grammar School and when the war broke out was serving his articles as an accountant with Messrs Deacon and Barry, Accounts of Manchester. He enlisted in the “Pals” Regiment at Manchester, along with several other “Old Wittonians,” the majority of them belong to the office staff of Messrs Brunner Mond and Company. He was at one time a choir boy at Castle Church. Private Houghton’s father, the late Mr Charles Houghton belonged to St. Helens and it will be remembered that he lost his life a few years ago in an heroic attempt to save a woman from drowning at Runcorn. Mrs Houghton is a daughter of Mr George Pimblott of Navigation Road, Northwich.
LETTER FROM THE CHAPLAIN.
Writing to Mrs Houghton on May 5th, the chaplain of the regiment states:- “It was my duty yesterday afternoon to read the burial service over the body of your son, 6385, Private G. Houghton, who was killed during a heavy bombardment of the trenches the proceeding evening. A shell burst close to him and killed him instantly so that he suffered no pain. I know very well that words of sympathy can do little to help you in your time of sorrow but I wish to assure you that my heart goes out to you in your loss and I pray God that He may give you strength and courage in bearing your trail. Your son was highly spoken of as a soldier by his officers and will be missed from the regiment, as well as from his home. He was buried in a little military cemetery behind the trenches, beside other fellows who like him have made the great sacrifice for his country. The grave is marked with a cross and you will receive in due course, from the War Office, the means of identifying, after the war. May God be with you in your bereavement. - Yours in deep sympathy R. W. Balleine, chaplain.”
CAPTAIN’S SYMPATHY
Captain Worthington, the company officer, has written Mrs Houghton telling her how deeply he sympathises with her, “His death” he states must have been painless and instantaneous the result of shell fire. We saw him lying in the trench and he looked so utterly at peace and so beautiful in the severity of death that it was almost impossible to believe he had gone from us. Since the beginning of the Heaton Park training I have noted and had a particular liking for your boy. His character has always been an excellent influence among his fellows. His lewis gun officers, under whom he has served in a special capacity, have always spoken to me in high terms of his value as a soldier and as one of the best among a picked body of men.
COMRADE’S LETTER
A school chum, Lance Corporal Douglas Eachus son of Mr. and Mrs C. T. Eachus of the Crescent was with Private Houghton in the Machine-gun section and from him Mrs Houghton has received the following letter:- “It is with the deepest regret I have to inform you that Gerald met his death during a heavy bombardment of our trenches on the evening of the 3rd. A shell burst very near to him and he died immediately from the concussion. He was not disfigured in any way and it was hard for us not to believe that he was only unconscious but no; we had lost one of our best and bravest men. He was buried with full military honours in a village just behind the lines at 1pm on the 4th. The service was attended by six of his best friends also the captain and the colonel. All who knew him join with me in expressing our deepest sympathy with you and Elsie (Miss Houghton) in your great loss.”
(L.Cpl. Douglas Eachus, 6373, was killed 2 months later on the 1st July 1916.
Research Bob Heaton