George Liversidge
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was the son of Amos and Mary Liversidge (née Morris). His father Amos Liversidge was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, in 1843 and his mother Mary Morris in Babworth, Nottinghamshire, in 1849. They were married at Babworth All Saints on 7 June 1869 and had ten children who were all born in Retford: Ann (Annie) b. 1870 bap. Ordsall All Hallows 17 April 1870, Elizabeth birth registered 1872 (J/F/M), Ellen b. 1873, John b. 1876, Rachel b. 1878, William b. 1880, George birth registered 1883 (J/F/M), Charles b. 1885, Henry (Harry) b. 1888 and Mary b 1890. In 1871 Amos and Mary were living on Poplar Street, Ordsall, with their daughter Ann. By 1881 they had moved to Albert Road, Ordsall. Amos, an iron moulder, and Mary had six children: Ann (11), Elizabeth (9), Ellen (7), John (4), Rachel (2) and William (under 1 year). The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 Census, but Amos and Mary were still living on Albert Road (No. 87) ten years later in 1901. Only four of their children were in the home on the night of the census: William, an iron founder, Charles, Henry and Mary. Ann had married William James Cooper at Ordsall All Hallows on 25 September 1894. In 1901 they were living on Bradder Street, Mansfield. with their children Ada Louise, Ellen Elizabeth and Beatrice Eleanor. William was a police constable. They had a son Thomas William who was born about three years later. In 1911 they were living in North Collingham; William had been promoted to police sergeant. Ellizabeth had married Robert Cole at Ordsall All Hallows on 18 May 1896 and in 1901 they were living at 41 Albert Road, Retford. Robert, a railway engine driver, and Annie had three children, Harriet, George and Alice J. By 1911 they were living on Darrel Road, Retford. Ellen had married Frank Hardy at Ordsall All Hallows on 2 August 1897. They have not yet been traced on the 1901 Census, but in 1911 they were living on Leeds Road, Bradford, Yorkshire, with their children Hannah, Alice and Florence. A fourth daughter, Lucy, was with her grandmother, Mary Liversidge, in Retford on the night of the census. John had married Melody Marshall at Retford St Swithun on 19 July 1897. In 1901 they were living on Carolgate, Retford, with their children Harold and Nellie; John was working as an iron moulder. By 1911 they had moved to Attercliffe, Sheffield, and had six children, Harold, Nellie, John, William, Kathleen and Ivy. John was a foreman iron moulder. Rachel was a housemaid in Retford in the household of William Unsworth, a mineral water manufacturer. She married Horace Herbert Ashton, a fireman, at Sheffield Walkley St Mary on 15 August 1909; both were living at 57 Jennyson Road, Sheffield. In 1911 Rachel and Horace, a plasterer, were living on Duke Street, Retford, with their daughter, Marjorie. George has already joined the army by 1901 and was serving in South Africa. By 1911 he had been discharged from the army, probably on completion of his time with the Colours when he would then have transferred to the Army Reserve. Amos died in 1906. His widow Mary was still living at 87 Albert Road in 1911. Also in the household were William and George, who were both employed at the iron works, Mary (no occupation given) and Lucy Hardy (8, b. Bradford Yorkshire), Mary's granddaughter by her daughter Ellen. Charles had married Jenny Rushby on 25 December 1908; their first child, Charles, was born on 30 October 1908 before their marriage (birth registered Charles Liversidge Rushby). In 1911 Charles, a carter, and his wife were living at 43 Albert Road, Retford, with their three sons, Charles, William (b. 1910) and Fred (b. 1911). Both William and Fred died in 1911 (reg. A/M/J). Charles and Jenny had three more sons: Arthur b. 19 December 1912, Leonard b. 28 July 1914 and George b. 16 September 1916. Charles served in the war, enlisting in July 1915 and serving overseas from May 1916. He was discharged on 18 March 1919 to his home at 73 Albert Road, Retford. According to a newspaper report in September 1914 when George had been reported missing, his mother Mary was living at 48 Whitehall Road, Retford. Mary died in 1921.
George was a regular soldier who had fought during the South African (Boer) War and also seen service in Malta and Egypt. After serving nine years in the army he returned to civilian life and became a furnace man for Messers Jenkins and Co in Retford. George was mobilised on 4th August 1914 on the outbreak of war and served with the 2nd battalion King's Rifle Corps. He was killed in action during the Battle of Aisne on 14th September 1914. According to a newspaper report, he and 'seven or eight more went out recconoitring near the enemy lines; none of the party returned nor had their bodies been found.' George's death was not confirmed until September the following year. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the La Forte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-et-Marne, France. CWGC - History of La Forte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial (extract): 'The Memorial commemorates 3,740 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) who fell at the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne between the end of August and early October 1914 and have no known graves.' (www.cwgc.org)
George's brother Charles served with the Notts Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry ((2815, 27995 Private). He enlisted in July 1915 and embarked Southampton 26 April 1916 for Alexandria, disembarking on 9 May 1916, then embarked for Salonika on 17 May. He suffered from malaria on several occasions and on 4 April 1917 suffered gunshot wounds and was transferred to hospital in Alexandria (disembarked 3 July 1917). He was discharged from the army on 18 March 1919. Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 14 September 1914: 'Messrs. Jenkins and CG’s Roll of Honour. Exhibited in Messrs. W Loseby and Sons’ window is a well-designed roll of honour, bearing the names of those employees who have volunteered in various capacities to fight for their country. The scroll has been designed in the offices of the firm. And is distinctly creditable to the artist, Mr Jack Kelsall. The names are as follows … George Liversedge (sic).’ (www.britishnewsaperarchive.co.uk) Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 17 November 1914: ‘Retford Man Shot Through the Head. Mrs Liversedge (sic), 48, Whitehall-road, Retford, has received intimation from the War Office that her son, Rifleman Geo. Liversedge (sic), a reservist of the King’s Royal Rifles, and been missing from Sept. 14th to 17th. A letter has been received by Mrs Hesslewood, Dominie Cross Road, from her son in the same regiment, stating that he saw Rifleman Liversedge shot through the head. Mrs Liversedge is in communication with the War Office.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) British Red Cross and Order of St John Enquiry List Wounded & Missing 1914-1919: 'Geo Liversidge 2680 D Coy 2nd Bn KRRC. Missing/Wounded etc date or equiv. 14 September 1914 Battle of Aisne. Enquiry date 26 June 1915' Retford Times 3 September 1915 - George Liversidge 'Mrs Liversidge of Whitehall Road, Retford, received a letter from the War Office on Monday stating that he son, Rifleman George Liversidge, 2nd Batt. Kings Royal Rifles was killed in action on Sept 14th 1914 and also a letter from the King and Queen sympathising their loss. Rifleman Liversidge, was stated to be missing after the battle of the Aisne. His friend wrote at the time and said he was killed, being shot through the head. Captain Bury of the same regiment sent a letter stating that Rifleman Liversidge went out with seven or eight more reconnoitring near the enemy’s lines. None of the men returned, nor had their bodies been found. Rifleman Liversidge went through the Boer War and had been in Malta and Egypt. After serving nine years with the colours, he came home in 1907 and was employed as a furnace man at Messrs W J Jenkins and Co where he was very popular and highly respected by all his fellow workmen. He lived at home with his mother until he was called up on August 4th. He was 32 years of age and unmarried.' The same report appeared in the Retford & Worksop Herald, 7 September 1915. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Mary was his legatee.
