George Exley Gospel
1911: railway porter.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
George Exley was the son of George and Mary Ann Gospel (née Pallister).
His father was born in 1859 at Fridaythorpe, near Pocklington, Yorkshire, and his mother was born in 1856 at Cockerton, Durham. George and Mary Ann, were married at Fridaythorpe parish church on 19 July 1881; they were both living in the village at the time of their marriage.
The couple had ten children, four of whom died in infancy or childhood. Two of the four children who died young were George Frederick b. 1885 bap. 7 October (York), d. 1887 (JFM), and Joseph William b. 1897, bap. York St Maurice January 1898, d. 1898 (JFM). Their six surviving children were: Alfred b. December 1886 (reg. 1887 JFM), Leonard b. 1888 bap 14 June 1889 St Maurice, Edwin b. 1890 bap. 23 February 1890 St Maurice, Edith May bap. 20 April 1892 St Maurice, George Exley b. 1892 bap. 7 August 1893 Little Stonegate Methodist Chapel and Amy b. 1895 bap. 31 July 1895 St Maurice. Their father's occupation as given on the baptismal register as 'groom'.
At the time of the 1891 Census, when George and Mary Ann had been married for ten years, they were living at 11 Lockwood Street, York, George was a groom/coachman. In the home on the night of the census were their three children, Alfred, Leonard and Edwin and also George's brother-in-law, William Pallister.
The family was still at the same address when their son Joseph William was baptised in 1898, but had moved to 7 Bridge Street, Micklegate, York, by 1901. George was now self employed as a watch finisher. In the home on the night of the census were his wife and their six surviving children, Alfred, Leonard, Edwin, Edith, Exley-sic and Amy.
George and Mary Ann had moved to 2 Farley Lane, Hucknall, by 1910 when George jnr attested in the Army Reserve in the August and were at the same address when the Census was recorded the following year. George was a general labourer and the three children who were still living at home were also in work: Edith and Amy were lace hands with the same company (Perry) and George was a railway porter. Edwin was probably serving with the Royal Field Artillery (see 'Extra information') while Alfred, a shunter (railway company), was a boarder with a family living on Princes Street, Kirkby in Ashfield, and Leonard, a cabinet maker, was living in York, a lodger in the home of a widow and her family.
George jnr. was admitted to the Nottinghamshire Asylum ('pauper') on 18 December 1912, discharged 10 March 1913.
His parents were living at 298 Alfreton Road, Nottingham in 1921. George was now a van man (bakers, M Cooper); in the home on the night of the census were his wife, son Alfred, their married daughter Amy Smith (m. 1918) and granddaughter Reenie Gospel (9). Leonard, a glazier and painter, was a visitor at an address in Chapel en le Frith, Derbyshire, while Edwin and his wife Ada (née Widdowson m. 1920) were living in Carlton, Nottingham. The eldest daughter, Edith, had married Harry Atkins in 1916.
George snr. died in 1933 (burial 3 November) and in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled his widow was living on Tilbury Rise, Nottingham. Mary died in 1940 aged 85.
Of George's three brothers: Alfred married Elizabeth Frogatt in 1923; he died in 1983. Leonard married Nellie Gamble in 1922 and died in 1933. Edwin died in 1966 leaving a wife and daughter.
George enlisted at Liverpool in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on a 6 year engagement on 29 August 1910 and was posted to the 3rd South Lancashire Regiment (1136 Private) and served to 16 December 1910 (110 days). He was discharged, 'in consequence of medically unfit for service' para 130 (xi)(a) SR Regulations, to his parents' address, 2 Farley Lane, Hucknall, Nottingham.
George then enlisted in London on 24 April 1913 and was posted to the Royal Field Artillery (72097). He was 19 years 10 months old, occupation market gardener. He joined at Athlone on 26 April but was declared a deserter on 15 August 1913 (No. 5 Depot RFA). He was apprehended and rejoined, awaiting trial, on 3 December the same year. George was tried and sentenced to 28 days detention on 16 December and also forfeited all previous service. He returned to duty on 13 January 1914 but was discharged on 25 March 1914, 'not likely to become an efficient Gunner soldier.' The 'Application for Discharge of a Recruit' form includes the following comment made by the Medical Officer (Major RAMC): ‘Fit physically but is slow & stupid and of low intelligence’ with ‘Appears to be wanting in intellect and will never make an efficient soldier' added by the officer transmitting the return, a Captain RFA commanding 144 Battery RFA. A report in the local newspaper in March 1914 refers to an offence committed by George while he was a deserter (see 'Extra information').
Nevertheless, George later served with the Sherwood Foresters, Notts & Derby Regiment (20861 Private). However, there is a Pension Ledger card for a George Gospel (b. 1892) who served with the Notts & Derby Regiment (3739) and was discharged on 22 June 1915.
George died from tuberculosis on 16 February 1920 but the Register of Soldiers' Effects has a note 'by 2 April 1918 insane'; there is a civilian record that he had been admitted to the Nottinghamshire Asylum on 18 December 1912, discharged 10 March 1913.
George was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery (grave ref. 03280. A), a double grave; 123987 Private WH Newman, Notts & Derby Regiment, died 20 February 1920. (See record on this Roll of Honour) The grave is one of four behind the screen wall.
George's brother, Edwin, served in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists), 5109 Private, on a 6 year service engagement from 22 May 1908 to 24 August 1908 (95 days). He had named his parents and brothers, Alfred and Leonard, of 1 Grove Lane, Lowther Street, York, as his next of kin and had been employed at the Minster Hotel, York, as a 'boots boy' for two years before enlisting. He was released from the Army Reserve to transfer to the Regular Army, 8989 Private, East Yorkshire Regiment, joining at Beverley on 25 August 1908. No further information found. When George attested in the Army Reserve in 1910 he named his parents and three brothers as his next of kin; Leonard and Alfred were still living at home, but Edwin was serving with 98 Battery RFA. There is a Medal Index record card for an Edwin Gospel, 53314 Driver, 35 Brigade RFA, who served in theatre on 6 October 1914 and qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George Exley. CWGC Additional information: Son of George and Mary Ann Gospel, of 298, Alfreton Rd., Nottingham. Born at York.
Nottingham Evening Post, 28 March 1914: ‘Labourer remanded for examination. The magistrates at the Nottingham Shire Hall today remanded for medical examination George Oxley (sic) Gospel, 20, labourer, of Hucknall, who was charged with stealing boots, clothing & etc. from ... on October 26th ...P.c. Bradley said that on the 26th inst, the accused admitted getting into the house and taking the things. Supt. Limb said Gospel was a deserter from the army at the time. He went and surrendered, and had now been discharged with a bad character.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
WW1 Pension Ledgers: there are two records, one naming George's older brother, Edwin Gospel, 298 Alfreton Road, Nottingham (application 13 March 1920) and one naming his mother, Mary Ann Gospel.
Registers of Soldiers' Effects: a payment was made to his mother, Mary Ann, on 14 October 1920.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 2 December 1940: ‘Gospel. Mary, aged 85, died November 30th, beloved wife of the late George Gospel. Reunited. Peace after pain. Sorrowing sons, daughters, grandchildren. Service Cindherhill 1.15, Bulwell Cemetery 20m. Wednesday, December 4th.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).
Additional research RF (Sept 2025)
George Gospel
Buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Peter Gillings