John Gordon McCulloch
In 1911 he was a retail butcher.
A report in the Nottingham Evening Post of the death of John Gordon's son in 1944 included the information that John Gordon had been a professional footballer with Notts County and Lincoln City.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Official records give his first names as 'John Gordon/John G.' but other documents use 'Gordon'.
John Gordon was the son of Thomas and Emma McCulloch (nee Nutting).
His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and his mother in Leicestershire. His parents were probably married in 1885 (AMJ Loughborough, Leicestershire).
According to the information provided on the 1911 Census by the widowed Emma McCulloch she had had eight children of whom seven survived. Seven children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911: Elsie b. 1886 (reg. JFM) Bulwell bap. 2 February 1886 Nottingham, John Gordon b. 1888 Hinckley, Joseph Stanley [Stanley] b. 1890 (reg. JFM) Hinckley bap. 23 January 1893 Nottingham, Mabel b. 1891 Bulwell bap. 30 November 1892, Ronald b. 1893 Bulwell bap. 28 April 1898, Dorothy (Dolly/Dollie) b. 1897 (JFM) Bulwell bap. 21 January 1897 and Grace b. 1898 Bulwell bap. 28 April 1898.
In 1891 Thomas (28) a pork butcher, and Emma (25) a milliner, were living on Wood Street, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, with their three children Elsie (5), John Gordon (3) and Joseph (1).
By 1901 the family was living at 22 Jennison Street, Bulwell, Nottingham, although Thomas was not in the household on the night of the census and has not yet been traced. Emma (34), described as married, was still working as a milliner. Also in the home were her seven children Elsie (15) housekeeper (at home), John (13), Joseph (11), Mabel (9), Ronald (7), Dorothy (4) and Grace (3).
Thomas McCulloch had died by 1911 as Emma completed the census form as the widowed head of household. She was then living at 90 Montague Street, Bulwell, Nottingham, and still working as a milliner from home. Only John (23) a retail butcher, Mabel (19) a milliner, Dorothy (14) a sewing machinist, and Grace (13) were in the family home on the night of the census.
John's eldest sister, Elsie, had married Ernest Johnson at Ilkeston St Mary's church on 26 April 1908 and in 1911 she and her husband (27) an upholsterer, were living at 146 Station Road, Ilkeston, with their only child, Charles Leonard (21 months). Ernest Johnson was to serve during the war.
His younger sister, Dorothy, married George Henry Smith on 14 June 1917 and lived on Newcastle Road, Bulwell. Her husband, a dairyman, who had formerly served in the South Notts Hussars, was called up on 12 July 1917 and served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (286285 Gunner). However, he was discharged physically unfit for service on 9 November 1917 as a result of having contracted dysentery. Dorothy (Smith) may have died in 1995 (July Mid-Devon) aged 98 (b. 27 November 1896).
John's brother Joseph [Stanley] also served in the war.
His sister Mabel emigrated to Canada and it is possible that Joseph Stanley and perhaps other siblings also emigrated to Canada, probably after the war.
John married Margaret Elizabeth Woodward (birth reg. 1891 JFM) in 1914 (JFM Nottingham); they had one child, Gordon b. 1914 (reg. JAS Nottingham). Margaret married secondly Francis W Lacey in 1924 and died on 18 November 1951 aged 60. Her husband survived her.
John and Margaret's son, Gordon, married Nellie Hardy in 1937 and they had one son, John Gordon. Gordon served in the Second World War in the Royal Artillery (1569159 Sergeant) and died aged 29 in Whitby, North Yorkshire, on 13 May 1944 while on active service. He was buried in the Northern Cemetery, Bulwell, Nottingham (Sec. E/22 Grave 13). The family home was at 221 Hucknall Lane, Bulwell. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Gordon McCulloch served with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He first entered theatre on 6 October 1914.
He was initially reported missing in action and his death on 27 November 1917 was not confirmed until July the following year. Gordon has no known grave and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval , France (Panel 2).
He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of the Cambrai Memorial (extract): the Memorial 'commemorates more than 7,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South Africa who died in the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917 and whose graves are not known. Sir Douglas Haig described the object of the Cambrai operations as the gaining of a 'local success by a sudden attack at a point where the enemy did not expect it' and to some extent they succeeded. The proposed method of assault was new, with no preliminary artillery bombardment. Instead, tanks would be used to break through the German wire, with the infantry following under the cover of smoke barrages. The attack began early in the morning of 20 November 1917 and initial advances were remarkable. However, by 22 November, a halt was called for rest and reorganisation, allowing the Germans to reinforce. From 23 to 28 November, the fighting was concentrated almost entirely around Bourlon Wood and by 29 November, it was clear that the Germans were ready for a major counter attack. During the fierce fighting of the next five days, much of the ground gained in the initial days of the attack was lost. For the Allies, the results of the battle were ultimately disappointing but valuable lessons were learnt about new strategies and tactical approaches to fighting. The Germans had also discovered that their fixed lines of defence, no matter how well prepared, were vulnerable.' (www.cwgc.org)
Buried Nottingham General Cemetery, headstone inscription: In loving memory of Charles Hassel Whitby who died Feby 26th 1913 aged 32 years. ‘Jesus lover of my soul’, ‘We shall meet beyond the river. In loving memory of Sgt Gordon McCullouch 3rd Grenadier Guards age 28 years. Killed in action Novr. 27Th, 1917 ‘The Great Sacrifice’
Note: Charles Hassel Whitby (b. Sneinton, Nottingham). Relationship to John Gordon McCulloch not yet identified.
Nottingham Evening Post, 26 and 27 February 1913: ’Whitby. On February 26th, at his uncle’s residence, 40, Radcliffe-street, Charles H Whitby, in his 32nd years, trusted representative [traveller in drapery goods] of William Hall, 9 Castle-gate. Funeral General Cemetery, Waverley-st., Saturday, 1.30. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 28 February 1913: ‘Whitby. On February 26th, at 40, Radcliffe-street, Charles H Whitby. Service Saturday, St Saviour’s, Arkwright-street, 12.45. Funeral General Cemetery 1.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 July 1918: ‘McCulloch. Missing now reported killed November 27th, 1917, Sergt. Gordon McCulloch, Grenadier Guards, of Bulwell. A loving son, true and kind, a cheery word, a smile for all, he died a hero loved by all. Thy will be done. We shall miss him more as the days go by. From sorrowing mother, loving sisters Grace and Mabel (in Canada), brother Stanley [Joseph Stanley] in Germany.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 July 1918: ‘McCulloch. Missing, now reported killed, November 27th, 1917, Sergt. Gordon McCulloch. He left his home in perfect health, he looked so strong and brave, he little thought how soon he would be laid in a hero’s grave. Duty nobly done. From his loving sister Elsie, and husband in France.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 July 1918: ‘McCulloch. Missing, now reported killed November 27th, 1917, Sergt. Gordon McCulloch, Grenadier Guards. God will link the broken chain closer when we met again. His loving brother Ronald and wife.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 July 1918: ‘McCulloch. Missing, now reported killed November 27th, 1917, Sergt. Gordon McCulloch, Grenadier Guards. Ever in our thoughts. Loving sister Dollie [Dorothy] and husband.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 5 July 1918: ‘McCulloch. Missing now reported killed November 27th, 1917, Sergt. G McCulloch Grenadier Guards, son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Woodward and family. Loved by all.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
John Gordon's son, Gordon, 1569159 Sergeant Royal Artillery, died in Whitby while on active service on 13 May 1944. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham Journal, 16 May 1944 (extract): ‘Local Sportsman. Sergt. McCulloch was the son of the late Gordon McCulloch, a professional footballer, who played for Notts. County and Lincoln City, and who was killed while serving with the Grenadier Guards in France in the last war.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Research RF.
Gordon McCulloch
Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (24 June 2018)
Photo of John Gordon McCulloch
Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, France (www.cwgc.org)