GEORGE HENRY WALDRON GOUGH (Mentioned in Despatches)

C.W.G.C. remember a George Henry Waldron Gough, Lieutenant, 1st/7th Bn. Cheshire Reg’t. Died 15th December 1917 aged 23 at the Jerusalem War Cemetery Israel and Palestine (Including Gaza) R.48. Son of Henry Edward Gough, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. of Highfield House, Northwich.

Cheshirebmd records the birth of a George H.W. Gough in 1894, Weaverham. The 1911 census has the Gough family living at Nether Lea, Beech Road Weaverham, father Henry Edward Gough, aged 46, Physician, Medical Officer, born Manchester; Frieda Magdalena aged 44, born Manchester; George Henry Waldron aged 18, school, born Barton; Ernest Harley aged 15, school, born Barnton; Edward Powell aged 10, school, born Northwich; Lila Mary aged 1, born Davenham. John Noel Gough is missing likely to be at school somewhere but not found.

N.A.M.C. have a card for a George Henry Waldron Gough, Second Lieutenant, 7th Cheshire Reg’t Territorial Force. Awarded the Victory and British Medals, T.o.W. Egypt, D.o.E. 3/1/16. With K.i.A. 15/12/17 recorded on the card.

21st July 1917, Northwich Guardian ROLL OF HONOUR, KILLED SECOND LIEUTENANT GOUGH

Second Lieutenant George Henry Waldron Gough, eldest son of Dr. H. E. Gough of Highfield House, Northwich and medical officer of health to the Northwich Urban and Rural Authorities, has fallen in action. As recently as Tuesday morning Dr. and Mrs Gough received a letter from their son in which he referred to the operations. Shortly before eight o’clock the same evening Dr, Gough was rung up on the telephone from the headquarters at Shrewsbury and was informed that a message had been received that his son was killed in action on Saturday last. Lieutenant Gough was 23 years of age and before the war was preparing to take up the same profession as his father. He received early training at a preparatory school at Elstree, near London and from there he proceeded to the King’s School, Canterbury where he served in the O.T.C. (Office Training Corps.) for four years. After passing his matriculation he entered the University of Manchester and a short time prior to the outbreak of war he had passed his first examination for the medical profession. It was in September 1914, that he answered his country’s call and enrolled himself in a Public Schools Battalion. After a short period of training he was made a corporal and twelve months later he received his commission and was then transferred as second lieutenant to the Cheshire Regiment. He was drafted to the front early in January 1916 and some time ago he wrote an interesting letter home describing his experiences. Extracts from that letter were given in the Guardian at the time, and later we published a letter from another brother abroad.

With the letter which his parents received on Tuesday he forwarded a number of tracings which he had done himself whilst on the the field of battle and he mentioned that these were intended as Christmas souvenirs for certain friends. When at school Lieutenant Gough participated in the usual games and particularly cricket and football and gained his colours for football as a junior player during his preparatory days at Elstree. His chief hobby, however was gardening. He was particularly found of flowers and when at home on holidays the bulk of his spare time was spent in his father’s garden. Dr. and Mrs Gough have two other sons serving in the forces.

21st June 1918, Northwich Guardian LATE LIEUTENANT GEORGE H. W. GOUGH.

Amongst those mentioned in General Allenby’s dispatch for “gallant and distinguished services in Palestine is the name of the late Second-Lieutenant George Henry Waldron Gough, the eldest of the two sons of Dr. and Mrs Gough of Highfield House, Northwich, who have given their lives in the war. Lieutenant Gough who was 23 years of age, was before the war preparing to take up the same profession as his father and gave exceptional promise. He enlisted within a month of the outbreak of hostilities and receiving a commission, was gazetted to the Cheshire Regiment, going over seas in January 1916. Lieutenant Gough soon proved himself an efficient and brave officer and was beloved by his men. One of them writing home soon after his death, said:- “I am pleased to mention that Northwich lads have come through safely so far but I have the greatest regret to say that Lieutenant Gough from Northwich, our company officer was killed a few days ago. It was in fierce fighting. We may say that Lieutenant Gough was killed whilst doing a very gallant deed, getting a machine gun in a good position against the enemy.

& brother John

C.W.G.C. remember a John Noel Gough, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery, died 8th March 1918, at the Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium. (V.D.23.) Secondary Unit Attd. Y29th Trench Mortar Bty. Son of Henry and Frieda Magdalena Gough of “Highfield House” Northwich.

& brother Ernest

Ernest Harley Gough must be the son still serving and likely to be the lad with the Royal Garrison Artillery, Second Lieutenant, awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory Medals, T.o.W Mesopotamian, D.o.E. ?-12-15.

Research Bob Heaton