George Henry's Story.
Birkenhead News 29 July 1916A Brave Son.
The Despicable Hun.
Private George Henry Blackburn, 10th Cheshire Regt., and eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, 55, Beaconsfield Road, New Ferry, was killed in action during a night attack on July 13th. He was 20 years of age, and prior to joining the colours in December, 1915, was employed as a conductor on the New Ferry cars. About five weeks ago he was despatched with his regiment to France, and the letter just received from the staff officer states :- “It is with the greatest sorrow that I write to inform you of the death of your brave son. He was killed instantaneously on the 13th July while helping in a glorious attack against a German trench. As a soldier, he was one of our best in the company, and among his numerous companions he was most popular. His death is felt both by officers and men. Console yourself, however, that he died happy in the thought that he had lived to be present at the ‘great push’, and to help to smash the despicable Hun.”
Private Blackburn was educated at Rock Ferry and New Ferry Schools.
The above newspaper article reports George’s death as 13th July 1916 when it is actually the 10th July as confirmed by military records.