Walter Frank's Story.
Weaverham St. Mary’s WW1 R.o.H. includes the name G.L. Branwood. This lad is the brother of Walter Frank Branwood. Much of the story relates to the two lads, the older brother paying the supreme sacrfice in WW2 whilst Frank was lost in WW1.
Freebmd records the birth of one lad named Branwood using the initials G. L. in the years 1880-1900 and that is a George Leslie Branwood born in the Dec. Q. of 1887 in West Derby, Lancashire. The 1891 census for West Derby, Lancs records a Walter J. Branwood, Head, aged 28, Telegraph Linesman, born L/pool; Amy H. Wife, aged 24, L/pool; George L. Son, aged 3, L/pool; Mabel Daughter, aged 6wks, L/pool. The 1901 census still has the family at West Derby; Walter J. Head, aged 38, Telegraph Linesman; Amy H. Wife, aged 33; George L. Son, aged 13; Mabel Daughter, aged 10; Walter Son, aged 6 (Freebmd records the birth of Walter Frank Branwood in 1894 W. Derby.); Jane Dyson Mother in Law, aged 63, Retired Nurse. The 1911 census still has Walter James Branwood as the head of the family now living on St. Georges Rd., Winsford but there is only Mabel daughter and Walter Frank son at home, Walter’s occupation is butcher. The 1921 census still has the Branwood family living St Georges Road Winsford, Walter J. head of the family, now 59, still working with the Post Office; wife Amy H. aged 53 on Home Duties; living with them is a son in law, Samuel Hatton his wife and Walters daughter Mabel (Marriage at St. Chads, Over in 1915.) and G/son Frank B.
Freebmd have a Walter James Branwood marrying a Amy Helen Dyson in West Derby Lancashire in the Dec· Q. of 1885. Lancashirebmd confirms that marriage, Walter J. Branwood marrying a Amy H. Dyson at Everton, St. Saviour, Liverpool in 1885. Freebmd goes onto record a marriage of George L. Branwood to an Elsie Whitley in the Dec. Q. of 1917. Cheshirebmd records the wedding at St. Mary’s Weaverham. The Marriage Certificate records George’s profession as Marine Engineer, living at St. Chad’s Over. Freebmd records the birth of two lasses named Elsie Whitley, 1894 & 1898, Cheshirebmd records these births in Weaverham, the marriage certificate records Elsie’s age as 23 when she married therefore she is the Elsie Whitley born in 1894. Freebmd also records the birth of an Arthur W. Branwood in Sept. Q. of 1919, Northwich with the mothers name Whitley. Cheshirebmd records the birth in Weaverham. With this information it can be taken that George Leslie Branwood was in the Parish and hence his inclusion on St. Mary's Weaverham R.o.H. plaque.
There was a link to a site for Campaign Medals Awarded to WW1 Merchant Seaman 1914-1925; George is listed with Certificate No 710144, George Leslie Branwood, born 1887, Liverpool, Awarded the Mercantile Marine Ribbon and Medal also the British Medal Ribbon and Medal.
Further research at the library and George Leslie Branwood would appear to be a WW2 “Fallen.” C.W.G.C. (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) remember George on the Tower Hill Memorial, he was aged 55 when he died on the 11th March 1943. He was with the Merchant Navy, 2nd Eng. Officer on S.S. Leadgate. (Newcastle-on-Tyne). Son of Walter James Branwood and Amy Helen Branwood. A link to Probate records:- “Branwood George Leslie of Sandfield, Swanlow Lane, Winsford, Cheshire who is presumed to have died on or since 11th March 1943 at sea on war service, to Arthur Whitley Branwood.” (This is taken as the son.) George does not appear to be on any local memorial as a WW2 "Fallen".
From uboat.net: “S.S. Leadgate was a steam merchant of 2,125 tons. Built in 1925 at Smith’s Dock Co. Ltd. South Bank, Middlesbrough. The Owners where Consett Iron Co. Ltd., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The Home-port was Newcastle. She had a complement of 30 and was part of a convey SC-121 but a straggler, on route to Liverpool with a cargo of 2700 tons of flour. At 23.03 hours on the 8th March S.S. Leadgate (Master Ernest Hay Halliday) was hit by a torpedo from U-642 (Herbert Brunning) and sank about 450 miles west of Rockall. The master, 25 crew and four gunners were lost.”
(George is interesting in that we start off looking for him in WW1 and he takes us to WW2 and becomes one of the “Fallen” at the age 55. Age was no barrier to risk in the Royal/Merchant Navy. There are links to George with several other shipping lists post WW1.)
No local newspaper article found on the marriage of George. Having said that there where a few articles with the name W. J. Branwood, thought to be the father of George & Walter. In one article reporting of a fund raising event for a Motor Ambulance for Winsford Brigade, date 28th Dec. 1917, one of the stewards was Second Officer W. J. Branwood. Red Cross V.A.D. record just one person with the surname Branwood and that was a Walter James Branwood, (father), living at Holmedene, St. Georges Rd. Winsford, Cheshire, working at Winsford Lodge and Annex Catsclough Winsford, from Dec. 1914 to April 1915.
George’s brother Walter Frank also enlisted for WW1 and paid the supreme sacrifice. N.A.M.C. record a Walter F. Branwood, Army Service Corps S2/11255 Pte., & Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 42083 Pte. C.W.G.C. remember a Walter Frank Branwood Service No 42083, with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1st Bn. Died on the 22nd March 1918, aged 23, on the Pozieres Memorial (Panel 38 to 40). Son of Walter James Branwood and Amy Helen Branwood of 19 King St. Herne Bay. Walter Frank Branwood is remembered on the Winsford Memorial. (The C.W.G.C. data on family took some time and familys had changed/moved sometimes then looking odd to where the lads are rememebered.)
No newspaper articles found to confirm or add to this.
Researched Bob H.